Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies

The AGTS Doctor of Philosophy in lntercultural Studies (PhD ICS) facilitates the development and academic certification of vocations in missiological and intercultural teaching and scholarship by:

• providing an environment and essential tools that enable research and theological reflection;
• creating a unique learning experience customized to each student's call, gifts and academic interest;
• equipping missiologists for research, teaching and missional praxis in an increasingly complex multicultural world; and
• giving credible voice to scholar practitioner missionaries and national leaders before the academy and the church.

The PhD ICS recognizes the priority of the Holy Spirit's person and power in accomplishing the mission of God (Missio Dei) and creates an environment in which students can experience the kind of learning that connects them more deeply to the Spirit's work in mission and allows them to focus their program and research on the application of integrative learning  in missional praxis.

The PhD ICS consists of 60 credits earned in 11 modules, three dissertation research courses, and a research dissertation. It is built around several components:

• Pentecostal perspective: Distinctive emphasis on Spirit-empowered mission in a global context.
• Passionate Scholarly Research: The discipline of scholarly research and writing is embraced as a tool of spiritual and missiological discernment and prophetic voice.
• Lifestyle fit: Relocating to Springfield is not necessary. The PhD ICS requires only five visits to AGTS over the course of the program.
• Course convenience: Hybrid semester-long courses with one-week residency periods that are scheduled back-to-back so students can attend two course residency periods on one airfare.
• Cohort experience: Learning and growth occur through the bonds formed with other career missionaries in a diverse small group setting.
• Contextualized study: Area studies, special study with an approved educational provider and/or tutelage offer field-based training. 

Program Goals

The program seeks to contribute to the discipline of intercultural studies by enriching research, teaching and the practice of those involved in the field. To that end and in accordance with our commitment to provide the highest level of learning effectiveness and foster a robust culture of assessment, at the completion of the PhD Program, graduates will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in theological and religious studies and other academic disciplines, and a comprehensive knowledge of the disciplines that comprise missiology and intercultural studies;
2. Competently innovate, defend and critique scholarly work and missional practice for the benefit of the academy and the broader community of faith;
3. Demonstrate ability to engage in original missiological intercultural research and writing that contribute to the discipline and to their research context for the sake of their tradition, the church and the academy;
4. Make decisions, live and serve according to revealed truth and the will of God in a continuing integrated commitment to learning, spiritual formation, and personal and professional growth;
5. Demonstrate the ability to utilize research and theological/missiological reflection in specific contexts; and
6. Commit to the vocation of theological, missiological and intercultural scholarship in its dimensions of teaching, learning and research.

Program Design

Following a sequence of core classes, the PhD ICS offers tracks in Missiological Studies (MS) and Christian Relief and Development (RD), additional elective courses, dissertation research courses and culminates in the writing of a research dissertation.

Program Schedule. The format requires five trips to AGTS over three years. Two full-semester hybrid courses are taken each semester. Each course requires a week-long residency in Springfield. The residencies are scheduled back-to-back for a total of two consecutive weeks on campus.

Participants earn their 60 credits in:

• 5 Core courses
• 3 Track courses (Missiological Studies or Christian Relief and Development)
• 3 Elective courses
• 3 Dissertation research courses
• Dissertation

All hybrid courses consist of three components:

1. Pre-residential assignments that begin at the start of the semester, and differ from course to course, but generally include reading assignments, processing audio-visual or online resources, and/or engaging the student in online dialogues with his/ her colleagues.
2. An on-site residential session presented by the professor of record for the subject that allows the student to engage in academic dialogue with the professor during class hours and presents the student with the opportunity to utilize the library research facilities after class hours.
3. Post-residential assignments that differ from course to course, but that generally include the submission of a major research project and could also include online dialogue with colleagues on the assignment.

In addition to the courses, the student will be required to attend three Value Added Weeks (VAWs) during the program. VAW elements include student research presentations with peer critique, onsite interviews with a mentor and guidance committee, peer and faculty interaction, and video conferencing with field experts. Another component of the course work (eight credits) may involve studies completed through directed research and doctoral-level study in a cooperating educational institution located near the student's field work or at the AGTS main campus. An additional 12 credits of dissertation research tutorial courses will focus and develop the research for the dissertation. A final four credits are earned through the satisfactory completion and oral defense of the dissertation.

Admission Requirements

1. An MA in an appropriate theological or missiological discipline from an acceptable school with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Not less than two years of appropriate intercultural ministry experience.
3. For applicants whose primary language is other than English, a TOEFL score of 585 or equivalent.
4. Submission and approval of a writing sample that demonstrates graduate-level research skills.
5. Second language proficiency. The program requires research proficiency in English as the primary research language of the disciplines of intercultural studies and a second modern language in the field of the research topic. Additional ancient and modern languages may be required as needed for the completion of dissertation research. In exceptional cases, the second modern language requirement may be substituted by petition. When a request for language waiver is submitted, the Committee may require six credits of relevant studies in the applicant's area of research. This will be implemented at the discretion of the Committee in a case­ by-case situation based on transcripts and experience.
6. Official approval of administrative superiors (e.g., missions board or agency if applicable).
7. Acceptable computer and Internet competencies.

These are the minimal requirements. The Admissions Committee selects applicants with the strongest qualifications. Candidates who only meet minimal requirements in some areas but are exceptional in others may be accepted. The overall combination of strengths that the applicant brings to the program is assessed in the admissions process.

Co-requisites. In cases in which candidates for admission are considered to have insufficient background in biblical, theological or missiological disciplines, the Seminary may require them to complete 15 credits of missiology foundation courses or 15 credits of theological foundation courses, or both as a co-requisite.

Application Procedures

To apply for admission:

1. Complete the online application with a $75 non-refundable application fee ($15 for readmission), a recent photograph, academic writing sample, and evidence of second language competency (e.g., language school transcript).
2. Request that official transcripts of all post-secondary institutions attended be sent to the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Office at AGTS.
3. Distribute academic, ministerial, and personal recommendation forms and request those filling them out to return these documents within ten days to the AGTS lntercultural Doctoral Studies Office.
4. Request that written documentation of administrative approval be sent to the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Office. Email is acceptable.

Acceptance into the Doctor of Philosophy in lntercultural Studies Program. Applicants will be evaluated by the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Committee and referred to the Admissions Committee for consideration. Subsequently, they will be notified in writing regarding the status of their acceptance into the PhD ICS program.

PhD ICS Academic Policies and Procedures

(See the Seminary Acedemic Policies and Procedures section of this Catalog for policies and procedures that apply to all programs.)

Academic Status. Participants will remain in good academic standing in the PhD ICS program if they maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, meet all financial obligations to the Seminary, and conduct their personal lives with spiritual, moral, and professional integrity, maintaining fitness for ministry. The administration reserves the right to dismiss any participant whose integrity in any of these areas is deemed unacceptable.

Probation and Dismissal. A student making one "C" in the four core courses is placed on probation and should retake the course. A student will be dismissed upon making two "C's."

Research Dissertation.  Participants write a research dissertation that advances knowledge in the field of study and enables the participant to integrate and apply his or her learning in an intercultural ministry context.

Program Duration. A typical PhD ICS participant will finish the program in approximately five years. Students that exceed six years will have to pay an extension fee. Extensions normally are not granted after nine years. (See the Financial Information section of this Catalog for PhD ICS Extension Fee Information.)

Transfer Credits. An individual may transfer in a total of eight doctoral credits. If a person holds an earned doctorate in a related field (e.g. Doctor of Ministry), a maximum of 12 credits may be transferred. Individual appeals for transfer credits will be evaluated based upon the following considerations:

1. Transfer credits must be from appropriately accredited institutions or those recognized by an approved foreign accrediting body.
2. Student must have earned a passing grade of "B" or higher (3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
3. Transfer credits must be relevant to the PhD ICS program.
4. Recent time frame of courses taken will be reviewed. Extenuating circumstances of the participant will be considered (e.g., missionary in a situation that makes it difficult to take courses in a timely fashion.)

To request transfer credit, official transcripts must be reviewed by the Assistant Registrar for Online and Graduate Studies before consideration for doctoral credit will be given. (Any exception to the standard policy must be recommended by the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Committee and approved by the Seminary Academic Council.)

Note: The transfer of credits does not waive or change the Program Fee.

Courses Open to Unclassified Doctoral-Level Students. A limited number of non-degree, post-MA persons who are not pursuing a PhD ICS degree at AGTS may be allowed to take PhD ICS courses if they satisfy admission requirements for the PhD ICS program. Contact the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Office for more information.

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of all PhD ICS program requirements. This includes completion of 60 credits of course work (20 from Core courses, 12 from Track courses, 12 from Elective courses, 12 from Dissertation Research courses and four from the Dissertation phase) and three Value Added Weeks.
2. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, including no more than one C.
3. Be in good standing at the Seminary.
4. Have passed the PhD ICS Qualifying and Comprehensive Examinations.
5. Complete an acceptable and approved PhD ICS dissertation.
6. Make an acceptable oral defense of the PhD ICS dissertation.
7. Students are required to submit a graduation application by the graduation deadline in the university's academic calendar. 
8. Receive approval to graduate from the lntercultural Doctoral Studies Committee and Seminary Academic Council.
9. Attend the Commencement exercises.

Audit Policy. Graduates of AGTS doctoral programs are eligible for one free master or doctoral-level audit (3-4 credits) per academic year, on a space-available basis. There is a $90 processing fee.