Residential Program Questions

Courses are offered on campus in fall (late August to mid-December) and spring (February through May) semesters. A normal full-time load is three courses, or nine units of coursework. Residential students can also take elective modular courses offered in early January and in the month of June.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs?

To equip you as a leader and teacher in a variety of educational ministry settings within God's Kingdom—local church, educational institutions, and ministry organizations throughout the world. We are dedicated to striving for excellence in teaching, leadership, and research, in service to God and His kingdom.

What is the difference between the Ph.D. and the Ed.D. programs?

The Ph.D. Program equips the "Researcher-Teacher" with the research, integration, and teaching skills to contribute to their discipline and prepare others for ministry leadership roles. This is the preferred degree for full-time teaching at most Christian higher education institutions.

The Ed.D. Program equips the "Leader-Teacher" with skills in research assessment and application to educational ministry concerns. The program provides the same training in critical thinking theological integration, and teaching as the Ph.D. program, but with a more applied focus. This may fit well the needs of ministry leaders and some teachers.

What is distinctive about these programs?

Critical Thinking and Theological Integration: An important aspect of both programs is the integrative synthesis of social science data within a Christian world- view perspective. The programs offer you an opportunity to undertake an interdisciplinary study of human development, the teaching-learning process, issues of leadership and administration, and approaches to Christian education.

Emphases within the Programs: There are three main emphasis areas of electives that you can draw on to shape your studies at Talbot School of Theology:

  • Christian Spirituality and Educational Foundations
  • Non-profit Leadership and Administration
  • Educational Process and Design

Diverse University Resources: In addition to the areas of emphasis identified above, Biola University offers graduate programs in theology, psychology, and intercultural studies. Opportunities exist to access selected courses and resources from these other programs to supplement your course work in your program.

Respected Faculty Available to Students: Our doctoral faculty members are respected in their discipline areas, giving time to researching, writing, and speaking. However, they also are active on campus and available to meet with you outside of class to discuss course and ministry issues. Regularly scheduled social times with students and faculty provide opportunities to interact and strengthen our sense of community.

Encouragement of Holistic Growth: While the main focus of the doctoral programs is the development of knowledge and skills to help you serve as a leader and teacher in educational and ministry settings, we recognize that the formation of the person who serves is also important. Our faculty encourage both academic excellence and spiritual growth in our students.

Minimal Residency Modular Program: The Ph.D. "Current Faculty Track" program is available to qualified applicants who teach part- or full-time in Christian higher education institutions. The Ed.D. "Modular Program" is available to qualified persons in ministry leadership positions as well as current faculty members. Class sessions are held on campus during four weeks in June and one week in January. These tracks in our programs are fully ATS approved.

Who are the faculty, and how do they relate to the students in the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs?

Talbot's doctoral programs are served by several faculty members in the Department of Christian Education. We seek to develop collegial relationships with students, encouraging personal and professional development, both in and outside of class.

Doctoral Program Faculty

  • Dr. Michael Anthony: Professor, Non-profit Leadership and Administration
  • Dr. Shelly Cunningham: Associate Professor, Teaching and Curriculum
  • Dr. Dennis Dirks: Professor, Human Development and Learning
  • Dr. Klaus Issler: Professor, Christian Spirituality and Educational Foundations, Educational Process and Design
  • Dr. Kevin E. Lawson: Professor, Educational Foundations, Research, Non-profit Management and Leadership

Visiting faculty over the last few years have included: Warren Benson, Kenneth Gangel, Ted Ward, Linda Cannell, Robert Pazmiño, Marlene LeFever, and Donald Ratcliff.

What are the major components of the Ed.D. program?

  • Course work: 36 semester units, consisting of 15 units of required courses and 21 units of electives.
  • Comprehensive Exam: Similar to above, but with some modifications.
  • Dissertation: Completion and defense of a dissertation proposal and the dissertation. This has different requirements from the Ph.D. dissertation.

When are classes held, and what are they like?

During the semesters, classes are block-scheduled in the late afternoon and early evening, Monday through Thursday, meeting once a week. During January and June, modular courses meet daily for several days and are scheduled 4-8 hours a day. These may be held in the mornings, afternoons, or evenings, depending on the faculty member's schedule. Classes tend to be small, with 6-12 students participating. Many operate in seminar fashion, encouraging extensive discussion and critical and integrative thinking.

How long does it take to complete the residential doctoral programs?

Ph.D. Program: If full-time, you can complete the necessary coursework in two years. The comprehensive exam takes another semester, and the dissertation can be completed in another two to two and a half years. This means the doctorate can take from four and one half to seven years, depending on the level of additional demand you face.

Ed.D. Program: If full-time, you can complete the necessary course work in one and a half to two years. The comprehensive exam takes another semester and the dissertation can be completed in another year and a half. This means the degree can take from three and one half to four and one half years to complete.

How much do the programs cost and what financial assistance is available?

The basic tuition for the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs is $715 per semester unit (2005-2006 tuition rate). In addition, the cost of tuition for the dissertation depends on how many units you need to enroll in to complete it. Financial assistance is available in several forms. Details and application forms for most are available from the University Financial Aid Office: (Deadline, March 31)

  • Scholarship Opportunities for Full-Time Students (with some funds available for part-time stuents)
  • International Student Scholarship Opportunities
  • Teaching Assistant Opportunities (Contact the Ph.D. Office about openings, responsibilities, and qualifications)
  • Dissertation Graduate Assistant Opportunities (Contact the Ph.D. Office about qualifications)

What are the admission requirements?

Full details are available in the Talbot catalog and Ph.D./Ed.D. application packet. In general, the admission requirements include:

  1. Three years full-time vocational experience in educational ministry with evidence of leadership abilities.
  2. A Masters degree in Christian or Religious education (MACE, MRE) or its equivalent from an accredited educational institution. Equivalence is defined as a Masters degree of at least 36 units in areas related to the Christian education ministry, including 18 units of graduate Bible and theology. (See the application form or catalog for details on course content areas.)
  3. Graduate Record Examination (minimum combined verbal and analytic scores of 1000).
  4. International students whose native language is not English must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (600+ [pencil version] or 250+ [computer version]), and the Test for Written English (TWE) (4.0 or higher).
  5. Submission of a sample of scholarly writing (details in the university catalog) and a completed application form, including all requested references, etc.

* Note: For some students, theology or Christian education prerequisites can be completed in the first year of course work. See the Ph.D./Ed.D. office for details.

How can I apply, and where do I start?

You can apply by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office and requesting an application packet and Talbot catalog.

Office of Graduate Admissions
Biola University
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639
Phone: (562) 903-4752 or (800) 652-4652
E-mail: Admissions@peter.biola.edu
Website: www.talbot.edu/programs/phdes

After looking over our materials, if you would like to talk with the Director of the Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs, you can contact the Ph.D./Ed.D. office to schedule a phone call or appointment (562) 906-4598.

When can I apply, and how long does it take?

Normal application deadlines are April 15 for the fall semester, and November 15 for the spring semester. If you have missed the deadline but want to be considered, please check with your admissions counselor about that possibility. In addition, you may qualify to register for modular course work during January, or for one or more modular courses in June. Once an application file is complete, a decision by the doctoral committee is normally reached within one month.

Is there a way I can try out the program before completing my application?

You can apply to take one modular three-unit course during January or June as a "Master's Special Student." This must be discussed with and approved by the program director ahead of time, and assumes that an application for acceptance into one of the programs is underway. Only one course may be taken this way.

What opportunities are there for teaching or ministry nearby while I am a student?

Southern California is a good place to look for opportunities to serve in congregational ministry (paid or volunteer), and to teach adjunct in Bible institutes, colleges, and seminaries. The availability of teaching and ministry positions depends upon your ministerial and educational background, and denominational and ethnic ties. If you would like to explore these possibilities prior to applying for the program, please inform the admissions counselor about this, and ask him or her to let the Ph.D./Ed.D. program office know of your desire. Our ministry placement office may be able to help.

What kinds of vocations do Talbot graduates with these Doctoral Degrees enter?

Three-fourths of our alumni from the doctoral programs are currently teaching in Christian higher education settings here in the United States or overseas, with most teaching in the field of Christian education. Approximately one-third are involved in higher education administration (many also teach). Approximately one-fourth serve in leadership capacities in parachurch and mission organizations.