Admission to the PhD July 2024 (Theology)

Sl. No

Particulars

Dates

1

Last date of admission

July 10, 2024

2

Acceptance letter to the applicant

July 16, 2024

3

Last date of payment of entrance exam

July 18, 2024

4

Entrance test (online)

July 19, 2024

5

Result of Entrance test

July 22, 2024

6

Interview (online)

July 25, 2024

7

Final results of July 2024 batch

July 26, 2024

9

Orientation Program

August 2, 2024

8

Last date of payment of registration and first installment fee

From August, 2nd – 6th, 2024

10

Coursework 1st Module

August 7 – 17, 2024

Doctoral Studies in Theology

Eligibility

  1. , or its equivalent recognised and approved by the Academic Committee for Theology and Religious Studies.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. A D. Min Degree from a recognised University/Board approved by the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies.
  2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. The DMin to PhD candidates is exempted from the written entrance test.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:

  1. Master’s degree (MA) in Christian Management, or
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Postgraduate Degree in any field with a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity (B. Div) or a Master’s degree in Divinity (M.Div)
  4. 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:

  1. To submit 500 words, essay on:

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

  1. 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:

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

 

PhD/DMin Entrance Test and Interview

Entrance Test Instructions: 

  1. The candidates will be called to appear for an Entrance test (online).
  2. The link will be sent to all candidates 24 hours before the entrance test.
  3. The duration of the Entrance Test is 3 hours
  4. 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.

  1. The link will be sent to you 24 hours before the scheduled interview time.
  2. The duration of the interview for each candidate is 10 minutes.
  3. 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

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Objectives

  1. To enhance knowledge in theological and religious studies and other related disciplines with mastery in an academic field;
  2. 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;
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Fields for Research

The applicants may opt for any of the following:

More Important Links

Common Entrance Test for all Doctoral Studies under the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Fees for all Doctoral Studies under the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Course Work for all Doctoral Studies under the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Grading and Transcripts for all Doctoral Studies under the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Research Proposal and Research Proposal Format
Progress of Candidates
Supervisors and Advisors
Procedure to be followed for Doctoral Studies under the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Queries and Final Authority
Policies
MLCU Research Ethics

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies was created by the Board of Governor in it meeting held on 29th March 2019 under the provision of the MLCU Act, 2005, Chapter 2, Section 7 (a) of the MLCU Act, 2005 and Statues 10.1 of the MLCU Statues & Rules, 2016.

The university aspires to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in disciplines and fields that will promote its vision and mission. The university’s mission emphasises its mandate to recognise its Christian legacy and its commitment to Christian institutions and the Christian community. Thus, Doctoral Studies in Theology is to enhance leaders’ capacity to serve in theological institutions, churches, and society. The doctoral research should aim to equip leaders to become more efficient in their discipline.

The university believes that the primary motivation for undertaking research must come from the doctoral candidate herself/himself and that the candidate should have a passion for solving a significant and specific problem. The university will play the principal role in designing the study and the candidate, and the supervisor will guide the domain discipline course work and the implementation of the study.

Objectives of the Doctoral Studies

  1. To enhance knowledge in theological and religious studies and other related disciplines with mastery in an academic field;
  2. 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;
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

The Branches of Study and Eligibility

Doctor of Ministry
Christian Studies and Christian Management Studies

COMMON ENTRANCE TEST:

All eligible candidates will have to appear for an entrance test and interview conducted by the Martin Luther Christian University at Shillong main Campus in July and January of every year. The last date of submission of the application is First of July and January of the year (the dates will be indicated on the MLCU website). The application can be downloaded from the MLCU website. The dates for the entrance test will be announced on the website.

The entrance test will have the following components:

  1. English competency
  2. Research Methods / Methodological Approaches related to Field of Research
  3. Analytical skills
  4. Community Orientation

The candidate must submit a tentative research proposal to prove his/her competence in research methods before the entrance test. The interview will be held on the day after the announcement of the results of the written test. Those who pass the written test only will be called for the interview (the second stage of the entrance test). The interview will be based on the research proposal presented. The results will be announced on the same day as the interview. Those who pass the written test and the interview will be admitted into the PhD studies programme to do the coursework.

FEES

All applicants will submit the application fee along with the filled-in application form and required documents. On being eligible to appear for the entrance test, the candidate  will have to pay the entrance test fee.’

  1. Applicants who pass the entrance test and interview shall pay the admission fee and the first-year course fees together. After that, the annual course fees shall be payable for an additional two years.
  2. On approval of the research proposal, the candidate shall have to pay the registration fees.
  3. Candidates who do not complete the PhD within three years are required to pay additional fees for the subsequent duration of their PhD research,
  4. Candidates will be required to pay the examination fees along with the submission of the thesis.

Coursework for PhD Candidates

The university requires a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 credits of course work in compliance with the UGC. 

A) Each candidate admitted to the PhD studies will be required to take coursework prescribed by the Doctoral Committee. Ordinarily, the coursework shall consist of:

  1. Research Methods – Basic approach to Social and Theological Research Methods to develop a thesis proposal and a review of literature on the area of concern. This coursework is conducted at the Doctoral Centres for all Doctoral candidates (4 Credits)
  2. Methodological issues and Current Trends in research and theoretical framework for the subject and its research focus. This coursework component shall be undertaken under the supervisor’s guidance, who shall certify its completion. (4 Credits)
  3. The third paper will be prescribed by the supervisor related to his/her research field. (4 Credits)
  4. For Biblical studies (OT/ NT) candidates, competence in Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek or both languages’ requirement for doing his/her research will be tested by the supervisor and accordingly plan the candidates’ course work. (4 Credits or in place of no.3)
  5. The research proposal, guided and endorsed by the supervisor shall be presented in a seminar organised at the Doctoral Centres. (2 credits)
  6. The Coursework period commences from the date of the announcement of the results of the Doctoral entrance exams.

The Research Scholar should undertake particular languages on their own on the approval of the supervisor.

Biblical languages competency should be tested and certified by the supervisor.

Coursework Scheme

sL. NO

sPECIALIZATION

pAPER

1

Biblical Studies (OT & NT) 

1.     Methodological Approaches to Research (4) 

2.     Advanced Language requirements (4)

3.     Third Language (German/Spanish/ French) if needed as per the thesis requirement. (optional)

4.     Subject-specific requirement as per the Supervisors advise. (4)

Research Proposal Seminar (2)

2

Systematic/Contextual Theologies & 

History of Christianity  

1.     Methodological Issues in the specific discipline. (4)

2.     Literature search/ Annotated Bibliography (4)

3.     Subject Specific assessment paper as prescribed by the supervisor. (4)

4.     An additional essay (Optional) (4)

Research proposal Seminar (2)

3

Missiology, 

Christian Counselling, 

Christian Education and 

Communication 

1.     Research Methods (Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis)

2.     Computer application (SPSS & Leximancer)

3.     Literature search/ Annotated Bibliography

4.     Subject Specific paper as suggested by the Supervisor (Optional)

Research proposal Seminar (2)

B) The milestone given above is a tentative schedule for the PhD candidates. The stipulated period for coursework is six months to 12 months. However, a candidate is expected to complete his/her coursework and submit the research proposal to the Doctoral Committee through the Doctoral Centres before completing 18 months. The provisional admission given for the candidate will be withdrawn, and admission will be cancelled.

C) MPhil holders may be exempted, partially or entirely from the course work as per the decision of the ACTRS of MLCU looking into the merits of the candidate

D) The supervisor will certify the attainment of these competencies in the manner prescribed by the Doctoral Committee.

E) Candidates will be given the transcript on the completion of the coursework.

F) PhD level coursework taken at any other university, considered equivalent be awarded equivalent credits on the Doctoral Committee’s approval. Such candidates should submit their thesis proposal to the Doctoral Committee within three months of their admission.

G) If a candidate does not complete the prescribed coursework, the entrance test will be valid only up-to two years after which the candidate will have to re-appear for the entrance test.

H) The candidate shall not have simultaneous PhD Registration with the other Universities/Institutions.

Grading and Transcripts

  1. Grades will be awarded by the faculty conducting the courses or by the supervisor.
  2. The university shall issue a Transcript for the coursework at the supervisor’s recommendation after completing the coursework.

Research Proposal

The research proposal is pivotal in the candidate’s doctoral programme because it sets forth the major creative work which the doctoral candidate will undertake. The research proposal expresses the research goal that the candidate has in mind. The research proposal presupposes that considerable research has already been carried out in the research subject. It is a matter of judging how far the proposal should set forth the research’s actual conclusions. 

The candidate must present an acceptable Thesis Proposal within TWO months of the completion of the coursework. This proposal, which usually is around 20 – 25 pages in length, shall include the following:

  1. A statement of the proposed investigation area, justifying the topic’s significance, establishing the need for a new study, and showing how a contribution will be made to the subject.
  2. Literature Review is referring to their area of research and finding the gap for doing the research.
  3. Research Methods: An explanation of the method(s) to be applied in the research.
  4. A precis of the proposed content, indicating the sequence of topics (Chapters, and if possible, anticipated conclusion.
  5. An extensive bibliography.

Research Proposal Format

  1. Title
  2. Table of Contents (with page numbers)
  3. Introduction
  4. Statement of the Problem
  5. Research question (s)
  6. Objectives
  7. Hypothesis
  8. Operational Definitions
  9. Scope of the Research Study
  10. Literature Review with scholarly reference
  11. Methodology
    1. Area of the research study
    2. Research Design
    3. Sampling Design
      1. Sampling unit
      2. Sampling method

iii.    Sampling Size

  1. Methods of Data Collection
  2. Data Management
  3. Data Entry
  4. Data Analysis
  5. Ethical Considerations
  6. Annexure
  7. Questionnaire/ interview Schedule/ Observation Check List

 

  1. References in APA Style of Referencing, 6th Edition
  2. Gantt Chart
  1. Background of the scholar indicating educational qualification, experiences related to the field of study, scholarly presentations and papers within 200 words.

Format Requirements

  1. Title Page: Font— 14 (Title page is page l)
    1. Title of the Study
    2. Submitted to: Doctoral Committee
    3. Date:
    4. Name of Scholar:
    5. Registration No:
    6. Middle Justification
  2. Left justification for all other pages
  3. Margins: I inch on top, bottom and right and left side margins
  4. Font: Times New Roman
  5. Font size: 12
  6. Space between lines: double spacing
  7. No of words — 10,000 to 15000 words’

Progress of the candidate

  1. The research proposal should generally be submitted to the Doctoral Committee within one year of admission and complete the prescribed coursework.
  2. If a candidate has not completed [the course work and has not] received approval for his/her research proposal from the Doctoral Committee within two years of admission, his/her candidature will be terminated.
  3. Upon approval of the Doctoral Committee’s research proposal, the thesis’s topic and the research study design shall be considered to be finalised. The Doctoral Committee should approve any significant change of the subject or considerable modification.
  4. After obtaining the Doctoral Committee’s research proposal’s approval, the candidate shall receive permission from the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC). The research work may commence only after the consent of the UREC.
  5. A yearly progress report, approved by the supervisor, shall be submitted by the Doctoral candidates.
  6. A candidate shall give a presentation once a year of his/her work and submit a six-monthly progress report, approved by the supervisor for evaluation and further guidance.
  7. Each candidate is expected to present his/her work, or part thereof, at an appropriate academic conference, preferably national or international, and submit or publish the research work in a peer-reviewed journal.
  8. A pre-submission presentation, approved by the supervisor, shall be made upon completing the research work’s main part.
  9. The candidates on submission of the final research have to report the community’s findings in a suitable manner from which the data has been collected. The scholar shall submit a report to the Secretary, Doctoral Committee before the public defence.

Supervisors/Advisors

During the course work, each Research scholar to be assigned a supervisor/advisor. A research scholar may secure a secondary supervisor/advisor if the research is of interdisciplinary or international supervisor.

The research candidate shall submit an annual progress report endorsed by the supervisor/ advisor. 

Research Supervisors/advisors are assigned by the Doctoral Centres and approved by the Doctoral Committee of Working Committee of the FTRS of the university to verify the standards in considering the UGC guidelines.

Suppose the Doctoral Centre is assigning a visiting research supervisor, Doctoral centre should send the research supervisor’s resume and get it approved by the Working Committee of the FTRS of the University either before or with the proposal submitted to the Doctoral Committee.

Procedure

  1. Common Entrance Test & Interview held in MLCU – in the second week of June and the second week of January every year
    1. A Common Entrance Test will be conducted for all disciplines.
    2. Entrance Test and Interview to be conducted at the MLCU.
  2. Coursework period– July to April/ February to December.
    1. 4 Papers (16- 20 credits) to be facilitated by the Doctoral Centres.
    2. In the case of MTh., stream candidate, the course work is limited to 12 to 16 Credits, and the minimum period required for coursework is six months to one year.
  3. Research Proposal: The research proposal is to be submitted to the Doctoral Centres on the supervisors’ recommendation and a thesis proposal seminar to be conducted at the Doctoral Centres in the month of May/June.
  4. The approval of the research proposal should be obtained within 18 months from the date of admission.
  5. The ethical approval is also required from the University Research Ethics Committee after the research proposal has been accepted.

Progress Report – A progress report endorsed by the supervisor should be sent through the Centre to the Dean of Doctoral Studies. The progress report is to be sent every six months i.e. every third week of March and every third week of September.

  1. Progress Seminars – September of every year

They are facilitated by the Doctoral Centres and possibly one representative of the University is to be present.

  1. Thesis submission- Before the pre-submission submission the following have to be submitted:
    1. A soft copy is to be submitted to enable the University to check the format and if there is any form of plagiarism.
    2. Two spiral bound copies
  2. Pre-submission presentation

They are facilitated by the Doctoral Centres and one representative of university to be present.

  1. Final Submission — After correction of the thesis, submit four hardbound copies of the final thesis and a soft copy to be sent to the Secretary, Doctoral Committee of ACTRS of the University. Refer the format given in APA/SBL Style of writing.
  2. Public DĂ©fense – After receiving the examiners’ satisfactory comments and approval, a public DĂ©fense will be conducted at the MLCU Main Campus, Shillong, usually in July to facilitate the candidate’s joining the Annual Convocation the end of July.

Queries and final authority

  1. All queries are to be referred to the Secretary, Academic Committee.
  2. Final decisions on any matter about the coursework shall lie with the Dean and the Professor of the candidate who is subject only to the Academic Committee of Theology and Religious Studies of the University.

    Prof Dr Samuel Meshack
    Pro-Chancellor & Dean, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, MLCU

Contact EMAIL

phdtheology@mlcuniv.in

Instructions:
1. The Candidate who cleared the entrance test will be required to sit for an Interview
2. The Interview which is part of the selection process will be conducted online.
3. The link will be sent to you 24 hours before the scheduled interview time.
4. The duration of the interview of each candidate is 20minutes.

Please read the following instructions carefully:
Please prepare the following to be submitted with your application form:

1. Please submit 500 words essay on:
Why I want to do a PhD and how it will help my  career and benefit society?

2. Please submit a tentative research proposal of approximately 1500 words with five or ten academic references.

3. The Application Fee of Rs. 1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) is to be paid along with the application. Applications received without the application fees will be rejected.  You may follow the instructions given in the portal to make your payment.

4. For further queries write to phdtheology@mlcuniv.in or to theDean, Doctoral Committee, Martin Luther Christian University, Dongkhtieh,Block 1, Nongrah, Shillong 793006, Meghalaya, India

Contact: phdtheology@mlcuniv.in

➥ Fee Structure

ERP

➥ Rules for PhD in Theology

wpChatIcon
Skip to content