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Doctor of Philosophy in Theology

360 Credits on NQF level 10

SATS is the only evangelical institution in South Africa with an accredited Ph.D. degree.

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Our Doctoral programme is a research-based programme consisting of a dissertation. There is NO coursework in our PhD programme. The Admissions Committee holds the right to assign further reading or theological subjects should a candidate not meet the necessary requirements.

Our doctoral programme offers you a choice of three fields of study, Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology or Practical Theology. You will conduct your research under the supervision of one or two experts in the chosen field of study. Our doctoral supervisors have been carefully selected to provide you with the high academic standards and the levels of service excellence for which we have become known.

Dissertation

RES5150 Research Methodology MANDATORY PREREQUISITE

Upon enrolment ALL PhD candidates are required to complete the RES5150 Research Methodology manual as an entrance requirement into the Doctoral programme. Students will have up to five (5) months to work through the manual online (MySats). The final outcome is a 3 – 5 page draft research proposal. You will have three (3) opportunities to submit a reasonable draft proposal. If you are successful you will be able to continue into the PhD programme and be assigned a supervisor, if you are unsuccessful you will not be allowed to continue but be withdrawn from the programme. If the course facilitator feels that the third and final submission is questionable he will consult with two faculty members for guidance before making the final decision.

Once you have completed the RES5150 module you will be assigned a suitable supervisor to assist you in developing and finalising your Research Proposal for submission to the Postgraduate Committee for approval. If and when your title is accepted, under the guidance of your supervisor, candidates will be required to write approximately 250-350 page dissertation, (approximately 80,000-100,000 words, 12 point font, one-and-a-half spacing). There is no coursework. All work is submitted and returned via email, except the final bound copies. The full details pertaining to the formatting of your dissertation are contained in RES5150. Two independent External Examiners, as well as an Internal Examiner, your supervisor, will assess your dissertation and if it is successful, you will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree at the next Graduation Ceremony. The maximum duration of this programme, which is at level 10 on the National Qualifications Framework, is six years.

On achieving this qualification, students will be able to:

1. Identify, understand, interpret, integrate, apply and communicate a body of new knowledge (original research) in interaction with existing knowledge (current state of research in the field of study).
2. Apply logical, theoretical, analytic, creative and systematic thinking, effectively to solve a range of problems within a focused research context.
3. Exhibit the ability to identify and address issues of ethical action and social responsibility in the field of research.
4. Apply principles of sound research practice in collecting, organizing and evaluating information in terms of a critical understanding of relevant research methodologies, techniques and technologies.
5. Be aware of, and be able to interact constructively with, multicultural and multi -faith communities, from a theological perspective.
6. Apply the insights of one or more disciplines to identify and critique issues of church and society.

Students from Africa

Several potential Ph.D. candidates from Africa have told us that the demands made upon them as Christian leaders prevent them, in their own country, from giving the attention that their Ph.D. studies would require. They have pointed out that the only solution is to leave their country for a short time in order to devote their full attention to their research.

If this is what it is like in your country, why not spend a month or two in Johannesburg, which would be a lot cheaper than going to the US or the UK? There are a number of guest houses close to the seminary, which of course has an excellent library and internet access, providing the perfect place for undisturbed research.

Entrance Requirements

To register for a Doctoral programme prospective students must have an appropriate Masters Degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate field, from an accredited institution. Certified (notarized) proof of the above should accompany the application form, together with a certified (notarized) copy of your ID or valid Passport.

The Seminary offers a free, no obligation evaluation of your transcripts, which can either be faxed to us at +27 11 234 4445 or scanned and sent as email
attachments to postgraduate@sats.edu.za.

Applications

To access our application form you may contact the Registrar of Postgraduate Studies, Leschenne Rebuli on postgraduate@sats.edu.za or simply click on Apply Online. We look forward to being of assistance to you.

Pricing

Research Proposal Tuition Fee (a max. of 12 months) R17 300 ($2 700)

The candidate has a maximum 12 months to complete the research proposal, after which the applicant’s registration lapses.

Thereafter, students are required to pay the annual tuition fee of R17 300 ($2 700) for each year enrolled, with a minimum payment of two consecutive years (including the proposal year). Should a fifth or subsequent year be necessary to complete the programme, the annual tuition fee will be levied.

Fees are increased annually in January.

See Doctor of Philosophy Supervisors