Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Program Overview
While engaged in this program, you will walk with a mentor team through:
Program Outcomes
With a focus on faith-informed reflection on human flourishing, the Doctor of Philosophy will help you develop and deepen your knowledge of an academic or professional discipline, invite you to be more fully formed in character, and assist in creating new understandings of your chosen vocation.
Through the program, you will develop and demonstrate proficiency in its eight outcomes: Starting Well, Imbricating Well (Theology and Anthropology), Imbricating Well (History and Epistemology), Inquiring Well (Literature and History), Inquiring Well (Concepts and Models), Inquiring Well (Practices and Methods), Creating Well, and Continuing Well.
Dissertation
As part of the Doctor of Philosophy program, you will be invited to generate for dissemination high-level scholarly research within a specialized field of inquiry toward the improvement of human flourishing. You will work alongside a mentor team that’s crafted around your specialized field of inquiry. Examples of specialized fields of inquiry include but are not limited to, transformative leadership, business, trauma-informed care, practices of reconciliation, philosophy of science, historical studies, ethics, anthropology, and semiotics. Early in your program, you will first identify a disciplinary specialization, which will aid in the selection of a personal and vocational mentor and then a tentative research focus so your entire learning experience can be individualized and contextualized as much as possible toward the exploration of that focus.
Synchronous Online Sessions
Learning is not done in isolation. In addition to journeying alongside a mentor team, you will come together each fall and spring to participate in synchronous online sessions. These sessions coincide with the core learning phase of the program and create opportunities for community and connection. They are helpful for personal encouragement and for the chance to learn from the experiences, perceptions, and wisdom of others who are asking many of the same questions.
Customized Learning Experiences
Learning experiences in Kairos are built around an invitation for students to explore some aspect of their vocation, Christian thought and practice, or the human experience. As a Doctor of Philosophy student, you will have the opportunity to engage in individualized and guided learning experiences that encourage faith-informed reflection on human flourishing within your own context and tradition. Learning experiences can range from individualized learning to small cohorts to large group gatherings.
Contextual Projects
Throughout the program, you have the opportunity to work with your mentor team to design learning experiences that are entirely shaped by what you are doing (or will do) in your current or desired vocational context. Are you planting a church? Building a youth ministry program? Leading worship? Then use that in your program! Are you aspiring to integrate your faith into your current or desired vocation? Then use that in your program! If an experience or project is connected to what it means to flourish in your vocation, then use it to make progress in your program!
Get Started
We’d love to help you discern if this is the next best step for you.
Ready to move forward? Here are a few things you’ll need to get started.
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Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (and high school diploma for bachelor’s students) for all bachelor’s, graduate certificate in theological studies, master’s, and doctoral students.
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Students with a certificate of completion for Training in Spiritual Direction may be asked to provide official transcripts on a case-by-case basis.
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A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (or 3.0 for PhD, ThD, DPC, DMin, MACO, & MAMFT applicants).
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A completed application for admission and all admissions materials.
Apply Here
Get in touch so we can start working together.