PhD in Intercultural Studies Curriculum
| The curriculum of the PhD is comprised of 6 tutorials, 5 methods classes, 4 comprehensive exams and a dissertation (64 units total). Each of these components is customizable to meet the specific research interests of the student under the guidance of their faculty mentor and guidance committee. With relatively little classroom-based instruction in this program, a much higher premium is placed on rigorous faculty-supervised academic reading and writing. |
| Students are required to spend approximately 18 months on campus in total. Nine months of their first year in the program must be spent on the Pasadena campus. The remainder of the total residency requirement does not need to be continuous, and details are worked out with the student's mentor. |
PhD Process | PhD 1st Year | PhD Portfolio |
| The program can be divided into five distinct phases which are separated by decision points. The below curriculum provides a sample study program, and the intended time frame for each phase. |
| Phase 1: Orientation & Research Program Design | 20 units |
| Methods 1 | Advanced Missiological Research 1 |
| Tutorial 1 | Missiology as a Discipline |
| Tutorial 2 | Initial Literature Review |
| Methods 2 | Advanced Missiological Research 2 |
| Decision Point | Initial Research Proposal Evaluation |
| Timeframe | Completed within 1 year of enrollment |
| Phase 2: Refining your Research Plan | 20 units |
| Tutorial 3 | Literature Review |
| Methods 3 | Field Research Method Training |
| Tutorial 4 | Literature Review |
| Decision Point | Research Proposal Defense |
| Timeframe | Completed within 1.5-3 years of enrollment |
| Phase 3: Final Field Research & Analysis | 24 units |
| Tutorial 5 | Field Research: Data Collection |
| Methods 4 | Secondary Data Collection Methodology |
| Methods 5 | Data Analysis |
| Tutorial 6 | Field Research Analysis |
| Decision Point | Comprehensive Exams |
| Timeframe | Completed within 2-4 years of enrollment |
| Phase 4: Dissertation Writing | 0 units |
| Decision Point | Dissertation Defense |
| Timeframe | Completed within 3-5 years of enrollment |
| Phase 5: Dissertation Publication | 0 units |
| Decision Point | Dissertation Publication & Graduation |
| Timeframe | Completed within 3-5 years of enrollment |