Biola University 2013–14 Catalog
Program Requirements The D.Miss. program requires a minimum of 40 credits past the master’s degree, with 36 credits of course work and 4 credits for the capstone project. The 36-credit component of the program contains 12 credits of theological and missiological foundations, 18 credits of missiology/intercultural studies courses, and 6 credits of research methods. Students are encouraged to integrate each modular into their capstone project. A faculty advisor will guide each student in planning a program of courses to serve his or her ministry needs. Each student is expected to choose courses most appropriate to their research interest and will select a mentor from the graduate faculty to guide his or her capstone project. Admission into the graduate program of the School of Intercultural Studies does not guarantee completion of the doctoral degree. Delivery System The D.Miss. is an open cohort-driven program offered in 1-2 week modulars. A minimum of 12 students is required to begin a collaborative learning community. One third of the program is offered annually, making it possible to complete the degree within 4.5 years, the last year devoted to the capstone project. Some courses will be available on-line. Time Limit for Degree Completion All course and academic requirements for the D.Miss. degree must be completed within 7 years, beginning on the date of the student’s first registration. Petitions for extension beyond 7 years will be considered on a case- by-case basis for students who may need extensive time on the field. Withdrawal and Re-Admission Procedures A student who must drop out of school or is planning to return to field service must go through the formal withdrawal process. To return to active status the student should contact the program director and file a re-admission form with the admissions office. Leave of Absence Inactive students are those who have requested and been granted Leave of Absence from the program. A Leave of Absence may be granted upon petition for change of status if there is deemed sufficient reason for interrupting the program and intention to return to the program. A Leave of Absence must be renewed by petition each semester and may not exceed two consecutive semesters. A Leave of Absence longer than two semesters will require withdrawal from the program and a petition for re-admission if the student later wishes to regain active status. Each leave of absence must receive the approval of the student’s program advisor and the Dean of the school. Students on leave are required to register for ISCL 893 Leave of Absence each term. Oral Interview All students will have an oral interview with a faculty committee to evaluate their progress and potential for
successful completion of the doctoral program. The interview is scheduled after one semester in residence and the completion of at least one significant piece of written work demonstrating the student’s skill in research writing. If needed, an oral interview with a faculty committee may be held to evaluate a student’s progress and potential for successful completion of the doctoral program. The interview will be scheduled after at least one significant piece of written work demonstrating the student’s skill in research writing is completed. The result of the interview will determine the student’s status within the program. Comprehensive Examinations All students must pass comprehensive exams covering the following areas: • Intercultural Studies
• History and Theology of Mission • Society, Technology and Missions • The student’s specialization
These exams are given in April and in November for on-campus students and serve as a major means of evaluating a student’s suitability to continue studies toward the doctorate. Extension students can use a proctor by arrangement with the director of the Doctor of Missiology program. Field Ministry and Language Requirement All students must complete a minimum of three continuous years of practical missionary experience in a cross-cultural (or cross-subcultural) setting. It is assumed that the student will acquire fluency in a second language learned during this missionary service and that this language will be the language of field research. Admission to Candidacy Official candidacy for the doctorate signifies an advanced stage in the student’s progress and is characterized by self-directed research and preparation of a dissertation under the direction of a faculty advisor. In order to be admitted to candidacy the student must have: A. Passed the comprehensive examination B. Completed the field ministry requirement C. Received approval of the dissertation proposal by the Doctoral Committee Upon reaching candidacy a student must register for a total of 8 dissertation credits prior to graduation. Credits are ordinarily taken at the rate of two or more per semester during the dissertation stage and this constitutes full-time enrollment. During the dissertation phase, students are considered full time for a maximum of two years. If the doctoral candidate has not defended the dissertation by the time the 8 dissertation credits are completed, the candidate must enroll continuously in ISCL 882 D.Miss. Continuous Enrollment Research. This enrollment carries no academic credit but maintains the student’s continuous registration. Students who have advanced to the level of candidacy who are unable to register in person for their dissertation
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