The Doctor of Philosophy degree awarded through Claremont School of Theology is in Practical Theology, with an emphasis in either Pastoral Care and Counseling or Religious Education.

(Many faculty in the School of Theology have joint appointments in the Claremont Graduate University School of Religion. Claremont Graduate University awards degrees with emphases in Hebrew Bible; New Testament; Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology; Theology, Ethics, and Culture; Women's Studies; and History of Christianity.)

Ph.D. in Practical Theology

The Ph.D. in Practical Theology is a theological, research, and professional degree that prepares students for teaching in colleges or theological schools or for professional leadership in the church and society. The program prepares students for the competent scholarly development of a special field of study in the context of theological disciplines. Students will understand the methodological and epistemological presuppositions of the field of concentration and will be capable of advancing the field through original research.

The degree program emphasizes professional applicability of the field of research by correlating theoretical and practical knowing, by implementing critical reflection on professional theory and practices, and by engaging theological and empirical methods of scholarship.

Program Emphases

Pastoral Care and Counseling. Students admitted to this program may elect to specialize in clinical pastoral education (CPE) supervision, pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, or clinical pastoral care (chaplaincy, community and social advocacy). Course distribution requirements are the same for all tracks. Differentiation between the tracks takes place in the laboratory experience and through the student's research interests.

The Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy track is primarily intended for those who wish to teach in pastoral care and counseling and/or pursue ministry in pastoral counseling. The CPE Supervisory track is primarily intended for those who wish to prepare for teaching and CPE supervisory ministry. (Students preparing for CPE supervisory certification may be enrolled in the Religious Education emphasis. See those requirements below.) The Clinical Pastoral Care track is primarily intended for those who wish to prepare for ministries in teaching and for a variety of ministries in pastoral caregiving. The program in Pastoral Care and Counseling emphasizes preparation in research, teaching and practice. Study focuses on pastoral psychology, psychology and religion, and theology. Integration of research in theory and laboratory is essential to the program, informing all of its elements.

Course Requirements in Pastoral Care and Counseling:

1. Twenty units in history, theory and method of pastoral care and counseling, including required units in Advanced Supervised Clinical Laboratory (PC441). Eight non-credit units of Advanced Supervised Clinical Laboratory (PC442) are also required. (These units are normally taken while preparing for qualifying examinations.)
2. Eight units in Interdepartmental Seminars in courses that are (1) relevant to both Pastoral Counseling and Religious Education, (2) integrative of theory and practice in theology and the human sciences, and (3) addressing common themes, including Psychology of Religion, Human Development, Practical Theology, Pastoral Assessment, and Research Methods. At least one course is to be a Theological Methods course.
3. Twelve units in one or two of the following areas: Systematic Theology, Theological Ethics, Biblical Studies, History of Christianity.
4. Eight units in an approved cognate field related to counseling, such as clinical psychology, developmental psychology, education, etc., ordinarily taken at Claremont Graduate University.

Students in the CPE Supervisory track are required to take the cognate studies in education theory. Four of these units may be taken with Claremont faculty in Religious Education.

Religious Education. This program integrates the study of theology with educational theory and practice. It is intended for those who wish to teach religious education in colleges or theological schools and for those who wish to provide advanced professional leadership in the church and society. Students are expected to achieve advanced competence in theoretical reflection upon educational philosophy, theory and method as informed by theology and the social sciences. Students are expected to gain competency in educational practice and critical reflection upon that practice. Through original research, students will make a scholarly contribution to the development of religious education.

Course Requirements in Religious Education:

1. Twenty units in Religious Education courses, with at least one course in each of the following areas: pedagogical theory, history of religious education, and social psychological dimensions of religious education.
2. Eight units in Interdepartmental Seminars in courses that are relevant to both Pastoral Counseling and Religious Education, integrative of theory and practice in theology and the human sciences, and address common themes, including Psychology of Religion, Human Development, Practical Theology, Pastoral Assessment and Research Methods. At least one Departmental Seminar is to be a Theological Methods course.
3. Twelve units in one or two of the following areas: Systematic Theology, Theological Ethics, Biblical Studies, History of Christianity.
4. Eight units in an approved cognate field related to education (e.g. educational psychology, developmental studies), ordinarily taken at Claremont Graduate University. Students preparing for ACPE supervisory certification are required to take their cognate studies in personality theory. Four of these units may be taken with Claremont School of Theology faculty in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
   
   
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Language Requirements

Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of either French, German or Spanish. A second language or a research method appropriate to the student's dissertation is also required. In consultation with the advisor and/or guidance committee, the student will submit in the Program of Study a proposal for meeting the Language and Research Requirements. At least one of the two language and research requirements must be met before a student enrolls for the final 24 hours of coursework. The second requirement must be completed before making application for Qualifying Examinations. Unit credit toward the degree is not allowed for courses taken to enable a student to meet language or research tool requirements. The language requirement is to be met by examination. The research tool or requirement may be met either by examination or by an approved course.

Qualifying Examinations

To be eligible to take Qualifying Examinations, the student must have completed all required units, the required period of residency, and all language/research tool requirements. In addition, students with an Emphasis in Religious Education must have completed their internship and students with an Emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling must be in the process of completing the final 8 units (non-credit) of Advanced Supervised Clinical Laboratory. The student must complete five written exams of four hours each. Following the completion of the written examinations, the student will be examined at an oral defense. Exams must be passed in the following areas:

1. History, Theory and Methods of Pastoral Care and Counseling/Religious Education
2. Practice of Pastoral Care and Counseling/Religious Education (Clinical Theory and Practice/Pedagogical Theory and Practice)
3. The Psychology of Religion and Personality
4. Theology
5. Cognate field

As part of the qualifying examination, the student must submit to the Guidance Committee, at least one week prior to the oral examination, a copy of the preliminary dissertation proposal. After the proposal has been approved by the Guidance Committee, it will be submitted to the Dean who then recommends the student to the faculty for advancement to Candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Dissertation

The student is required to present an acceptable dissertation based upon independent research. It must show the student's capacity to relate materials from at least one of the classical theological disciplines and material relating to the student's major field (Pastoral Care and Counseling or Religious Education). The Ph.D. candidate must successfully complete the final oral examination related to the dissertation research. The final oral examination will be conducted by the Guidance Committee plus any appointed outside examiner.

Admission Requirements

Ph.D. Admission Standards

1. Applicants applying for the Ph.D. program will indicate whether they are pursuing the Pastoral Care and Counseling emphasis or the Religious Education emphasis on their application form.
2. Applicants must hold an advanced degree (M.Div., M.A., or equivalent) from an accredited institution.
   • Applicants who hold the M.Div. degree or its equivalent apply to the 48-unit Ph.D. program.
   • Applicants who hold the M.A. in theological studies or its equivalent apply to the 72-unit Ph.D. program.
   • Applicants who hold the M.A. in a related field other than theological studies apply to the 88-unit Ph.D. program.
3. A minimum graduate school grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.00 scale.
4. A minimum TOEFL score of 250 (computer-based) or 100 ibt for whom English is a second language.
5. Faculty strongly recommends that Ph.D. candidates arrange a personal interview.

Application Procedure

The following documents must be submitted to the Office of Admission by January 15:

1. A completed Application for Admission form
2. Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)
3. Personal statement of 1,000 words addressing plans for theological study (see queries on application)
4. Official transcripts from every college, university or seminary attended beyond high school to be sent directly to Claremont School of Theology
5. Five recommendations sent directly to Claremont School of Theology, three of which must be academic.
6. Aptitude scores from the Graduate Record Examination. Results must be received before the application will be reviewed by the Faculty Committee on Admission. The institutional code for Claremont School of Theology is 4710. GRE information and application forms are available from the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ, 08541; or www.gre.org; or 609-771-7670
7. An academic paper or another sample of scholarly work must be included.
8. Supervisor's evaluation(s) of at least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at an ACPE-approved training center (pastoral care and counseling applicants only).
9. Supervisors' evaluations of all units of Clinical Pastoral Education from ACPE-approved training center(s) and documentation of approval to pursue supervisory training (CPE focus only).

Page revised 06-13-06