Prerequisite Course Options
Options for Satisfying any Prerequisite Coursework
Occasionally, students are given provisional admission to the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in Educational Studies with some prerequisite coursework still needing to be done. The goal is to get all prerequisites completed within the first year of doctoral studies. There are a variety of ways to address these prerequisite courses:
Prerequisites in Biblical and Theological Studies
Students are expected to have taken 18 units of graduate level biblical and/or theological studies before entering the doctoral programs. If you need to take some coursework in this area, there are three options available:
ITS Courses through Talbot School of Theology
A student can take up to 9 units of biblical/theological coursework through the Independent Theological Studies course offerings at Talbot. These independent studies utilize tapes, readings, exams, and research projects to cover the content of a graduate level course. Students need to secure approval from the doctoral program director for coursework from this program before registering for it.
Regular biblical/theological coursework from Talbot or another accredited graduate program approved by the doctoral program office
If the student has access to an approved graduate school or seminary where they can take Bible and theology coursework, they can carry out these studies concurrent with their enrollment in the doctoral program. Note: Coursework at Talbot will need to be billed at the doctoral tuition rate due to the student's doctoral status, making this an expensive option.
Correspondence/Distance Education Options
Several accredited graduate schools and seminaries are now offering selected biblical and theological courses through distance education. With prior approval, these courses can count toward the student's prerequisite work. Some schools to investigate include: Moody Graduate School and Asbury Theological Seminary.
Prerequisites in Christian Education Coursework
Often, a student will lack coursework in one or more of the six specified areas of graduate studies in the field of Christian education. There are three options for addressing prerequisites in these areas:
One-unit Doctoral Readings Courses at Talbot
The doctoral program director may be able to help you set up readings courses (1-unit each) that address the missing areas identified. These courses provide the expected background of students entering the doctoral program. These can be taken concurrent with enrollment in regular doctoral courses. These courses do not count toward the units needed for completing the doctoral programs.
Regular masters-level coursework at Talbot or another accredited graduate program approved by the doctoral program office
If the student has access to an approved graduate school or seminary where they can take Christian education coursework, they can carry out these studies concurrent with their enrollment in the doctoral program. Note: Coursework at Talbot will need to be billed at the doctoral tuition rate due to the student's doctoral status, making this an expensive option. Option #1 would be better for studies at Talbot.
Correspondence/Distance Education Options
If the student is able to locate an accredited graduate program that has the needed Christian education courses available in a distance education format, this may be a good option for addressing the needed coursework. These kinds of courses are not as prevalent as the biblical studies courses, but it is worth investigation. These courses will need prior approval from the doctoral program director.