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Admissions

PHD IN INTERCULTURAL STUDIES

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

ALL APPLICANTS
  • Application for Admission
    • Complete and submit the Application for Admission, including:
      • References: You must provide one (1) pastoral reference AND two (2) academic references
      • Essays: Religious Autobiography and Ministry Experience Essays
      • Application Fee: A $75 non-refundable application fee is required for applicants applying online.  You may pay your application fee online with a U.S. credit card, PayPal, check, money order, or international bank transfer
  • Academic Requirements and Official Transcripts
    • Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended (undergraduate and graduate coursework)
    • Evidence of obtaining a master's degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher
    • Successful completion of at least 80 quarter units (54 semester credits) of graduate-level course work of a theological/missiological nature, including one graduate course (4 quarter units/ 3 semester credits) in a behavioral or social science discipline (such as Cultural Anthropology) and sufficient academic exposure to the following subject areas (as evaluated by the Center for Missiological Research):
      • Mission Theology
      • Mission Practice
      • Mission History
      • Mission and Culture
      • Mission and Religion
      • Mission and Society
    • Applicants lacking up to 12 quarter units of graduate-level course work of a theological/missiological nature, or successful completion of a graduate level course in behavioral or social sciences, or sufficient exposure in up to three of the subject areas listed above may be admitted to the program on prerequisites pending status. An applicant admitted on prerequisites pending status may be required to take some additional coursework, such as a behavioral or social science course, and/or to read and provide up to three formal written reviews of selected key texts in the relevant subject area(s) before beginning PhD-level coursework in the Fall Quarter. In cases where the Admissions Committee determines an applicant's proposed PhD research focus necessitates more preliminary study in a particular topic area, the Committee may stipulate additional prerequisite coursework at the point of admission.

The 20 units of missiology above must include topic specific courses of at least 12 quarter units (8 semester units) that directly support the student’s chosen topic as demonstrated in the Initial Research Interest Statement.

  • Additional Essays and Writing Samples
    • A 250-300 word Initial Research Interest Statement (download guidelines). Note: A match between interests of the applicant and strengths of our current Fuller faculty is a critical factor in admissions decisions.
    • A 15-30 page writing sample in English
  • English Language Requirements
    • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide an official record of scores earned on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  test. Only test scores earned within two years preceding the submission date of the applicant's current PhD application will be acceptable. TOEFL overall scores of at least 100 (internet-based) or 600 (paper), or IELTS overall scores of 7.0 meet the minimum English language entrance requirements. (Applicants who have previously completed a regionally-accredited Master's-level degree in English may submit a 300-400 word letter requesting to waive this requirement. The letter should provide a detailed explanation of the applicant's English-language background and a rationale for the waiver request. Letters requesting a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be emailed to Joel Short at joel@fuller.edu for the Center of Missiological Research's consideration.)
  • Interviews
    • At the Admissions Committee's discretion, applicants may be required to interview with Center for Missiological Research representatives through an online platform. The interview will also include a short writing test in English.

 

 

U.S. PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Online application opens: August 1
Application and file completion deadline: January 15
Notification date: March 21

PAYING FOR GRAD SCHOOL

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