Doctoral Programme for Obtaining the Degree of “PhD”
This programme is primarily aimed at university graduates who wish to pursue a doctorate at the Faculty of Theology but have not completed a traditional degree in Protestant Theology. Unlike the doctoral programme leading to the degree of “Dr. theol.”, it does not require knowledge of the so-called classical languages, nor does it require candidates to belong to a specific denomination or religion. It is offered in both English and German.
Studies and examination
The PhD programme enables students to develop a research project in one of the subject areas covered by the Faculty of Theology, to carry it out in a methodologically rigorous manner as part of a dissertation, and to situate the insights gained within the current research context. The dissertation may be written in one of the following subject areas:
• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Church History
• Ecumenism/Orthodoxy
• Systematic Theology
• Practical Theology
• Intercultural Theology
• Religious Studies
• Jewish Studies
Whilst writing their dissertations, the doctoral students receive a wide range of support. They are accompanied by a supervision committee and complete modules designed to enhance their academic skills and facilitate exchange with other doctoral candidates. In particular, they attend at least three doctoral colloquia in order to present their research findings and gain new insights:
| o | Doctoral colloquium I: Research methodology and the conception and planning of a subject-specific research project (P.Theo.051) |
| o | Doctoral colloquium II: Research report, presentation and development of a subject-specific research process (P.Theo.052) |
| o | Doctoral colloquium III: Research report, presentation, evaluation and integration of the latest subject-specific research (P.Theo.053) |
In addition, they acquire supplementary qualifications in university teaching methodology, philology, research management or theology by taking at least one of the following compulsory-elective modules:
| o | University didactics: Design and delivery of a course (P.Theo.061) |
| o | Exploration of relevant philological disciplines (P.Theo.062) |
| o | Academic organisation (P.Theo.063) |
| o | Theological studies (P.Theo.064) |
The PhD programme culminates in the doctoral examination, which consists of the dissertation and an oral examination (defence).
PhD degree and Theologicality
Even though the ‘PhD’ degree – which, following the Anglo-Saxon model, has established itself in today’s German higher education system as a subject-independent equivalent to the traditional doctoral degree (‘Dr.’) – does not explicitly refer to Theology (unlike the ‘Dr. theol.’ degree), the PhD programme of the Faculty of Theology is a theological program. Its theologicality is guaranteed in particular by the Examination and Study Regulations concerning the purpose of the doctoral studies and the doctoral examination (§ 1), the study programme (§ 3 including Annex 1), the Doctoral Committee (§ 5), the Supervision Committee (§ 6), the reviewers and further members of the Examination Board (§ 11), as well as the defence (§ 18).
At other faculties of the University of Göttingen, the PhD degree is awarded upon request of the doctoral students instead of the traditional doctoral degree. At the Faculty of Theology, this is excluded, as is the reverse process – the degree ‘Dr. theol.’ can be obtained exclusively within the Promotionsstudiengang ‘Theologie’.
Career paths
A PhD from the Faculty of Theology qualifies graduates for leadership roles across a wide range of academic, ecclesiastical, religious, social and cultural institutions worldwide: research and teaching at universities and other higher education institutions, teaching at further education colleges and in adult education, and roles in foundations, student support organisations, the media, publishing houses, libraries, museums and non-governmental organisations.
Application
You can find information about applying here.
Funding
All financial matters fall within the remit of the doctoral students themselves. Some are employed as research fellows at the Faculty of Theology. Others successfully applied to institutions that award scholarships. It goes without saying that self-financing is possible, too.