1.2 PREREQUISITES TO PROGRAM APPLICATION
1.2.1 GENERAL DEGREE PREREQUISITES
Applicants to the PhD program must hold an earned and accredited master’s degree in an appropriately related field. Applicant’s transcripts should reflect a background in biblical, theological and ministry studies at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. Those applicants who have not completed course work in biblical, theological, and ministry studies may be required to successfully complete “leveling” work to prepare the applicant for the biblical and theological component of the program.
1.2.2 DEGREE LEVELING
Applicants who are deficient in meeting the above requirements must take additional course work to attain equivalency. This process is called “leveling.” Several options for leveling academic deficiencies are available to students. You should discuss deficiencies with the Director of PhD in Leadership Studies. Equivalency options through the completion of additional approved academic courses include campus-based courses; web-based courses; taking courses at a Capital site; completing academic courses at another accredited institution; etc. Documentation of experiential learning is not an option for the demonstration of equivalency.
NOTE: Completion of equivalency course work does not guarantee admission to the targeted doctoral program.
All deficiencies identified in the application process must be satisfied prior to the first term of enrollment. Please notify the Doctoral Student Support Specialist of work completed to satisfy deficiencies by submitting official transcripts to be retained in your application file.
1.2.3 GRADE POINT AVERAGES
The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for admission to a research doctoral program is equivalent to the letter grade “B+” (3.25 on a 4.0 scale).
1.2.4 GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE), MILLER ANALOGIES TEST (MAT)
Applicants must take the MAT (Miller Analogies Test, www.milleranalogies.com) or GRE (Graduate Record Exam,www.ets.org/gre/general/register) and submit their score as per the application process. The test scores may not be more than five years old at the time of application.
1.2.5 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITIES
Applicants whose first language is not English must attain a minimum test score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL General Test (250 on the computer-based exam or 100 for the Internet-based test) or an equivalent demonstration of the ability to read, write and do academic research in standard English.
1.2.6 RESEARCH STATISTICS COURSE
Applicants must provide transcript evidence that they have taken a course in statistics at the undergraduate or graduate level. Those applicants lacking this admissions requirement may take a research statistics course at Lancaster Bible College or at another accredited college or university. This course must be completed prior to taking LSP 908 Empirical Research II.