I am someone who is off the pursuing PhD track for the immediate future while I try to gauge what's possible for my future (I'm 29 - about to enter my 30s). I've dreamed about a PhD in Christian Ethics and becoming a professor at a small, liberal arts college. I also want to become an assistant priest or curate on the side for the Episcopal church. I already have a masters in theological studies from a non-episcopal seminary (Princeton Seminary), and I need at least one more year of study to meet the ordination requirements for the priesthood. I want to both meet the ordination requirements AND try to position myself for more prep for a PhD. Does anybody know how flexible the ordination requirements for education are in the Episcopal church? For instance, could I take just the Anglican theology/history classes (maybe 6 credits) at an Episcopal seminary as a non-degree seeking student? And then, transfer them into a one-year program (let's say Vanderbilt) to take a thesis with a desired professor?