Introducing "The Residency Ph.D.," A Doctoral Program in Community

This sponsored post was prepared by Midwestern Seminary

We’ve seen tremendous growth over the last several years at Midwestern Seminary, due largely to our renewal of the foundational seminary commitment to exist for the Church. This has become our leading pledge and vision, our institution’s very raison d’etre. And this has meant a strong commitment to training pastors for local congregations. But gospel ministry is a robust thing, and many men and women pursue theological education with contributions to the academy in their sights. Our challenge then is how to ensure that our training of scholars is wedded as closely as possible to service to the local church.

How do we do this? By innovating a residential Ph.D. program that doesn’t merely emphasize the “for the Church” commitment but actually provides a context that complements the discipleship culture of Christian community.

This is where Midwestern Seminary’s The Residency comes in. Starting in Fall 2017, this new residential component of Midwestern’s Ph.D. program provides the benefits of personal interaction with faculty, administration, theological and pastoral leaders, and fellow students. And the campus life in Kansas City, Missouri provides an exciting and gracious culture within which to pursue your studies in a way that is both academically rigorous and spiritually enriching.

While Residency students attend the same seminars and follow the same path as non-residential Ph.D. students, and while there are no additional tuition expenses, The Residency combines the best aspects of the American Ph.D. program and the traditional UK doctoral model, merging independent advanced theological research with cohort-based mentorship and oversight. In this community context, The Residency will provide you with a unique avenue for following your call to serve churches through the academy.

Are you, or is someone you know, interested in pursuing a Ph.D.? The Residency program offers:

personal interaction, weekly forums, and mentorship with faculty and other ministry leaders.
an enculturated experience that better prepares doctoral students in the skills and aptitude necessary for service in the academy.
classroom experience that can help you capitalize on Midwestern’s high rate of placement of doctoral grads in teaching positions.
a Graduate Certificate in Theological Higher Education, in addition to your Ph.D., signaling your readiness for teaching at the highest levels.

And the required credit hours are identical to our modular Ph.D. program, so you don’t need any additional classes or seminars.

Interested in pursuing your Ph.D. in a community that exists For The Church? Find out more info and take the next step at mbts.edu/theresidency.