Student Handbook 2018–2020 Doctor of Philosophy
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2018–2020 Student Handbook Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy Handbook 16th edition March 2018 Dallas Theological Seminary 3909 Swiss Avenue Dallas, Texas 75204 Admissions and Registrar: 800-DTS-WORD PhD Studies office: 800-DTS-WORD, ext. 5356 or 214-887-5356 www.dts.edu Dallas Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone: 404-679-4501) to award master’s and doctoral degrees. The seminary is also an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103; telephone: 800-367-8250). Within the context of its theological convictions and mission, Dallas Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national and ethnic origin, or disability. Handbook Editor: Richard A. Taylor Graphic Designer: Amelia Palmer Photography: Don Regier Copyright © 2018 Dallas Theological Seminary TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME March 2018 Dear friend, Through its PhD program Dallas Theological Seminary seeks to provide a high caliber of academic training for qualified men and women. This program is intended for students capable of pursuing advanced studies in biblical and theological research with a view toward becoming productive scholars and Christian leaders. The doctoral program at Dallas Theological Seminary has a long and venerable history, having been established in 1927. Over the years many of our PhD graduates have made outstanding contributions to theological education as scholars, teachers, authors, administrators, pastors, and missionaries. We are proud of the accomplishments of these alumni who have rendered exemplary service around the world for the cause of Christian higher education. This handbook sets forth the guidelines and regulations that presently govern PhD studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Whether you are a current PhD student or a prospective student, I hope that you will find this information to be a useful summary of the structure, requirements, and features of our doctoral program. All current PhD students should become as familiar as possible with this information, for they are responsible for following these guidelines throughout the course of their doctoral studies. All prospective students will find information here that will be helpful as they seek to learn more about PhD studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. If you are contemplating advanced research in biblical and theological studies, I invite you to consider prayerfully whether this program can assist you in your career goals. We are eager to have well-prepared and dedicated men and women join us in the scholarly pursuit of biblical and theological truth. Please let us know how we can assist you in determining whether PhD studies at Dallas Theological Seminary are right for you. Sincerely, Richard A. Taylor, PhD Director of PhD Studies iii Table of Contents GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY . 1 Mission . 1 Purpose . 1 Accreditation . 1 ABOUT THE PHD PROGRAM . 2 History . 2 Purpose . 2 Goals . 2 Admission Requirements . 3 Length of Program . 4 Student Advising . 5 PhD Studies Committee . 6 Student Regulations . 6 ACADEMIC INFORMATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. 7 General Guidelines. 7 Requirements for Stage 1. 8 Requirements for Stage 2. 9 Major in Biblical Studies . 9 Concentration in Old Testament Studies . 9 Concentration in New Testament Studies . .11 Concentration in Bible Exposition . .12 Major in Theological Studies . .13 Form for Course Papers . 14 Modern Language Requirements . .14 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE Comprehensive Examinations. .15 Major in Biblical Studies . .15 Concentration in Old Testament Studies . 15 Concentration in New Testament Studies . .15 Concentration in Bible Exposition . .15 Major in Theological Studies . .15 Guidelines for Comprehensive Examinations . 15 Admission to Candidacy . .16 Resident Research . .17 Dissertation and Continuation Courses . .17 Dissertation . .17 Submission Policy . .17 Research Languages . .18 Topic Proposal . .18 Dissertation Committee . .18 Supervisor . .18 Second and Third Readers . 19 Syllabus. .20 First Two Chapters . .21 Completed First Draft . .21 Oral Defense. .21 Preliminary Final Draft . .22 Final Draft . .22 Form for Dissertations . .23 Length of Dissertation . .23 Grading. .23 Filing . .23 Publication. .23 Conflict Resolution. .24 Optional Opportunities . .24 Teaching Internship . 24 Israel Study Tour . .24 GENERAL ACADEMIC REGULATIONS . .25 Registration for Courses. .25 Auditing of Courses . .25 Withdrawal from Courses. .25 Leave of Absence . .25 Withdrawal from Seminary. .25 Plagiarism Policy . .25 Appeal Process . .26 v Grading System . .27 Grade Symbols . 27 Grade Point System . 27 Minimum Grade Requirement . .27 Grade Reports. .27 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE Dispute of Grade . 27 Incomplete Courses . 27 Independent Study Courses . 28 Procedure . .28 General Requirements . .28 Completion Requirement . .28 Graduation Requirements . .28 Student Records . .29 BUSINESS INFORMATION TUITION AND FEES . .31 TMS Payment Plan . 31 General Deposit. .31 Continuation Fee . .32 Refunds . .32 General Fee . .32 Filing Fee . 32 Graduation Fee . 32 HEALTH INSURANCE . 32 FOREIGN CURRENCY . .32 RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION GENERAL POLICIES . .33 Length of Lease . .33 Holding Fee . .33 Security Deposit . .33 Keys . 33 Waiting List. .33 Laundry Facilities . .34 Parking . .34 WASHINGTON HALL . 34 Description of Facility . .34 Terms and Conditions . .34 vi TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE SWISS TOWER . .35 Description of Facility . .35 Terms and Conditions . .35 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION PHD STUDIES COMMITTEE . 37 CAMPUS MAP . .37 CHECKLIST . .39 Admission Process . 39 Phase of Course Work . .39 Comprehensive Examinations. .39 Dissertation . .40 NOTES . 41 vii General Information ABOUT DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY MISSION The mission of Dallas Theological Seminary as a professional, graduate-level school is to glorify God by equipping godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of his Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide. PURPOSE The seminary’s expanded statement of purpose indicates that Dallas Theological Seminary is a professional, graduate-level theological seminary that seeks to provide training at the master’s and doctoral levels to prepare its students for a variety of Christian ministries. As a professional, graduate-level theological institution of higher learning, the seminary seeks to provide training for specific Christian ministries and to encourage the pursuit of Christian scholarship at the highest levels of research befitting the mission of a theological seminary. While the doctrinal commitment of the seminary is intentionally evangelical, Dallas Theological Seminary seeks to make a contribution to a broader constituency through community, theological and ecclesiastical involvement, and dialogue. The seminary seeks to maintain an appropriate balance between the training it provides for effective vocational ministries and the academic rigors necessary to graduate those who will research, write, and teach at the highest levels of theological education. ACCREDITATION Dallas Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone: 404-679-4501) to award master’s and doctoral degrees. Dallas Theological Seminary is also an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103; telephone: 800-367-8250). 1 ABOUT THE PHD PROGRAM and to communicate effectively in an area of specialization. Course studies, seminar HISTORY work, and research projects are part of INFORMATION GENERAL Dallas Theological Seminary was founded in the student’s supervised program, which 1924 under the leadership of Lewis Sperry culminates in the preparation of the Chafer. The emphasis of the seminary from doctoral dissertation. that time to the present day has been on the expository preaching and teaching of Throughout the program of study, the faculty the Scriptures. From a small beginning class observe the student’s spiritual maturity and of thirteen students, annual enrollment leadership development. At various stages has grown to more than two thousand in the program, the faculty as a whole or men and women who come from all parts through one or more of its committees of the world to study at Dallas Theological evaluates the progress of each student and Seminary. his or her fitness to continue in doctoral studies. Doctoral studies at the seminary are almost as old as the seminary itself. In 1927, just a At every step of the way the faculty seeks to few years after its founding, the seminary be rigorous in its academic expectations but initiated a research program leading to encouraging and helpful in its mentoring of the degree Doctor of Theology (ThD). The students. Doctor of Theology program continued GOALS without interruption until 1993, at which The main goals of the PhD program are time the degree nomenclature was changed as follows. to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Since the beginning of this program Educational Goals in 1927 almost six hundred students To enable students to have received their doctoral training in • develop skills of critical thinking and biblical and theological studies at Dallas reflection; Theological Seminary.