Important Dates:

Dates	Particulars
July 15, 2024	Last date for submission of PhD application
July 23, 2024	Entrance Test (Online)
July 30, 2024	Interview (Online)
August 07, 2024	Result Declaration
August 26, 2024	Orientation Programme (Online)
August 27 – February 29, 2025	Online PhD Coursework

Doctoral Studies in Theology Eligibility

MTh or its equivalent recognised and approved by the Academic Committee for Theology and Religious Studies.
A Minimum of 2 years of ministerial experiences

Duration

The duration of the programme is calculated from the admission date, i.e., the entrance test results’ announcement.
The Minimum duration is two years, as MTh is recognised as equivalent to an MPhil degree.
The maximum duration shall be six years, extendable up to one year. This is applicable only in exceptional circumstances and is subjected to the approval of the Doctoral Committee

Doctoral Studies on Ministry Eligibility

A Bachelor’s degree in Divinity (BD) or a Master’s degree in Divinity (MDiv), or Any degree equivalent to BD and MD recognised by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies/Academic Council of Martin Luther Christian University.
The candidate should have a minimum of three years of experience in Pastoral Ministry.

Duration

The duration of the programme is calculated from the admission date, i.e., the entrance test results’ announcement.
The Minimum duration is three years.
The Maximum duration shall be six years, extendable up to one year. This is applicable only in exceptional circumstances and is subjected to the approval of the Doctoral Committee.

DMin to PhD (for those who have completed Doctor of Ministry) A candidate with a D. Min obtained from a recognised board or University may pursue a PhD that will take a minimum of one year, provided the research study is based on, or a continuation of the D. Min research project to meet PhD level of research. Eligibility

A D. Min Degree from a recognised University/Board approved by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies.
The candidate should have a minimum of three years of experience in Pastoral/teaching Ministry.

Duration

Minimum duration of One year.
The PhD duration shall be counted from the admission date, i.e., the entrance test results’ announcement
The maximum duration shall be three years, extendable up to another year only in exceptional circumstances subjected to the approval of the Doctoral Committee.
After the candidate has completed three years and any permitted extension period, the candidate who wishes to continue the PhD programme will have to be re-admitted, including the entrance test and payment of the fees current at the time of the new application. Such candidates must petition the Doctoral Committee for approval to re-apply.

Admission Process

The candidates shall apply to the University in the prescribed form, attaching the required documents and fees. Besides, the candidate shall submit an essay of about 500 words on why the applicant wishes to do a doctoral study for the degree applied and a tentative research proposal of approximately 1500 words with 5 to 10 academic references.
The DMin to PhD candidates is exempted from the written entrance test.
The DMin to PhD candidate is expected to pursue the research study based on their previous research work completed for their DMin degree. Hence, they are exempted from coursework depending on their performance in the interview on their research capabilities.
Such candidates must obtain approval for their research proposal within three months of admission into the programme, in order to be placed in the regular PhD programme. The tentative research proposal presented for the interview during admission cannot be taken for granted as an approved research proposal. A research proposal in the given format should be submitted within three months of the date of admission.
The candidate shall not have simultaneous PhD registration with other Universities/Institutions.

Doctoral Studies in Christian Management Studies in Christian Management deals with advanced thinking and discovery of knowledge in the management of Not Profit Organisations (NPO) with the biblical level of excellence. Eligibility:

Master’s degree (MA) in Christian Management, or
Any postgraduate degree in Management from any recognised university with a Bridge Course in Theology accepted by the Academic Committee of theology and Religious Studies (ACRTS) of Martin Luther Christian University, or
Master’s in Theology (M.Th), with a bridge course in management studies and accepted by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies (ACTRS) of Martin Luther Christian University.

*The Bridge Course is 12 credits with particular reference to Research Methods. Duration:

The duration of the programme is calculated from the admission date, i.e., the entrance test results’ announcement.
The Minimum duration is three years.
The maximum duration shall be six years, extendable up to one year. This is applicable only in exceptional circumstances and is subjected to the approval of the Doctoral Committee.

Doctoral studies in Christian Studies Eligibility

Master’s degree in Christian Studies or Master of Arts in Theology or Any postgraduate degree, considered equivalent to MA in Christian Studies by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies (ACTRS), Martin Luther Christian University.
A person with a postgraduate degree in any secular subject from a recognised University or Board deemed equivalent by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies of Martin Luther Christian University with a bridge course in the fundamentals of Biblical and Theological studies equivalent to 12 credits.
Postgraduate Degree in any field with a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity (B. Div) or a Master’s degree in Divinity (M.Div)
Minimum two years of experience in ministry or teaching experience.

Duration

The duration of the programme is calculated from the admission date, i.e., the entrance test results’ announcement.
The Minimum duration is three years.
The maximum duration shall be six years, extendable up to one year. This is applicable only in exceptional circumstances and subjected to the approval of the Doctoral Committee.

Re-registration

This is applicable to a candidate who has not been able to complete his/her doctoral studies within the permitted extension period.
The candidate who wishes to continue with the doctoral studies will have to be re-admitted. Such candidates should petition the Doctoral Committee for approval to re-apply.
Re-admission into the programme will include:
Appearing for the entrance test
Completing the course work, and
Payment of the fees current at the time of the new application.

Women Candidates

Women candidates may be provided with an extension of the PhD for an additional 240 days.
Such scholars who wish to avail this provision will write to the Dean Research stating the reasons.

Fees

All applicants will submit the application fee along with the filled-in application form and required documents. On being declared eligible to appear for the entrance test, the candidate will have to pay the entrance test fee.
Applicants who pass the entrance test and interview shall pay the registration fee and the first-year tuition fees together. After that, the annual course fees shall be payable till the candidate submits his/her thesis to the University.
On submission of the research proposal, the candidate shall have to pay the Research Proposal fees.
Candidates will be required to pay the examination fees along with the submission of the thesis.

PhD/DMin Application Information: To prepare the following to be submitted with your application form:

To submit 500 words, essay on:

Why I want to do a PhD and how it will help my career and benefit society

To submit a tentative research proposal of approximately 1500 words with five to ten academic references. Click here for the prescribed format.

For further queries write to phdtheology@mlcuniv.in or call 8798874858 PhD/DMin Selection: Please prepare the following to be submitted with your application form:

Application forms, the essay, and the tentative research proposal.
The candidates will be called to appear for an Entrance test (online).
Candidates who cleared the entrance test will be called for an Interview test (Online)

PhD/DMin Entrance Test and Interview Entrance Test Instructions:

The candidates will be called to appear for an Entrance test (online).
The link will be sent to all candidates 24 hours before the entrance test.
The duration of the Entrance Test is 3 hours
The test will cover the following areas: i. Communicative English ii. Analytical Skills iii. Research Methods/ Methodological Approaches related to field of Research iv. Community Orientation

Interview Instructions: The Interview which is part of the selection process will be conducted online.

The link will be sent to you 24 hours before the scheduled interview time.
The duration of the interview for each candidate is 10 minutes.
The interview will cover the following topics: i. Communicative English ii. Analytical Skills iii. Research Methods/ Mythological Approaches related to field of Research iv. Community Orientation

Objectives

To enhance knowledge in theological and religious studies and other related disciplines with mastery in an academic field;
To increase awareness and competence in teaching and research in colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and to instil a commitment to collaborative inquiry, to mentor, publication and other modes of transferring knowledge;
To enhance the church and Christian institutional leadership capacity and build growth in one’s ability and dedication to social and theological diversity and its capacity to relate across difference.
To build the capacity to conduct advanced scholarly research and writing that makes an original contribution to the discipline that is significant for religious communities, academy, and society.
To enhance the ability to communicate one’s research appropriately to scholars within one’s discipline and other scholars, professionals, or publics beyond one’s field.

Objectives

Fields for Research

More Important Links

➥ Fee Structure

ERP

➥ Rules for PhD in Theology