Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

General Information

ETF offers a doctoral degree program open for those who hold an academic masters degree (or equivalent). This international program of study is conducted in English and is non-residential. Both students and professors come from all over the world and belong to various denominations. The student will be trained to conduct specialized theological or interdisciplinary research. The program culminates with writing an academically well-founded dissertation that is defended orally. Every doctoral dissertation is to make an original contribution to some branch of theological scholarship. An annual week-long doctoral colloquium is held where students and professors meet together. In addition to doctoral exams, defense of dissertations and promotions, this week consists of academic lectures prepared by professors and students.

Technical Overview of Program

ETF's primarily non-residential doctoral program is fully accredited by the Belgian government. Meeting the admission requirements shows that the student is qualified to undertake guided preparation toward doctoral examinations in one major and two minor areas of theological or interdisciplinary study in the “examination phase”. Upon successful completion of examinations in each area of study with each supervising professor, and a comprehensive “doctoral examination” before a committee, the student begins supervised research and writing in the “dissertation phase”. Participation in the annual colloquium is a vital part of the program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Doctoral Program is granted to a limited number of applicants each year on an individual basis after evaluation by the Doctoral Committee of a completed application. The following possibilities are used to determine whether a candidate is adequately prepared to undertake doctoral studies:
  • Those who have earned cum laude (70%) the Belgian recognized degree Master of Theology and Religious Studies (previously called a "licentiate") or who have achieved the recognized equivalent foreign diploma or degree may be admitted.
  • Those intending to focus on one of the classical theological disciplines may submit acceptable evidence that they have completed four or five years of university-level theological and religious studies cum laude including a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. A colloquium doctum to begin our examination phase may be arranged for students with insufficient or uncertain previous theological education.
  • Those intending to focus on relating Christianity to other religions or to certain other academic disciplines and who have a less extensive background in theology but hold a relevant master's (or equivalent) degree may be admitted to pursue an appropriate interdisciplinary or religious studies program designed for them. As with the preceding option, a colloquium doctum may be required. Applicants must show how they intend to relate Christianity to the other discipline or religion in order to be accepted.
  • Advanced students who have completed on a post-master's level some or all of the equivalent of our examination phase at a recognized theological faculty may be considered for admission with advanced standing in our examination phase or directly into our dissertation phase. As with the previous two options, a colloquium doctum may be required.

Application and Acceptance

While it is possible for potential students to discuss their interests with one or more individuals of the faculty, only the Doctoral Committee is empowered to grant admissions.

 

A limited number of students will be admitted once each year, in the spring, to begin their doctoral studies at the start of the next academic year. Notification of acceptance will then take place no later than the end of May. If the student is not accepted, re-application for the following year is permitted. However, re-application is only encouraged if the student has improved on his or her preparation and/or has determined that openings will likely have arisen for faculty supervision in the desired fields.

 

The completed application form, application fee, and supporting documents should be in our office as soon as convenient, but after September prior to the year you wish to begin. They must definitely be received by the beginning of February in order to be considered for admission for the following September.

 

[For more information on the Doctoral program, see 'Downloads' or you can send a mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]

 

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Academic Programs
Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)