TigerByTheTail

Hey GradScholar, While not a formal kind of thing, I have a friend well into her PhD program who has been kind enough to let me call and chat with her about the progress I am making on my thesis. She's a great ear and asks questions that have helped me to think more clearly about the questions I am asking. So even if you don't hire a firm, finding someone who's 'been there, done that' can go a long way in helping steer you in the right direction while you are working on your dissertation. If you go the friend route, just keep in mind they're busy, too. I have my issues written down ahead of time to save time, and when it seems she has time to chat I've benefitted from the opportunity to learn a little about what she's up against in pursuing her PhD.

Hi JDD, While I'm not familiar with any degrees out there right now specifically for Religion and Modernity, the University of Southern California used to have a three-tiered PhD program (since discontinued) involving, I think, sociology, philosophy, and religion. This tends toward my own interests in religion and postmodernism. I am presently completing an MA in Christian Apologetics (2019) and am considering pursuing an MA or MA/PhD in Philosophy. I see you've applied to various MDiv programs. This will certainly get you pointed in the right direction, just be aware you may lack the philosophical training to apply to a straight out philosophy PhD program afterwards. (You may study modernity as a component of your theology classes, particularly when studying church history, but you most likely will not be studying the structure of classical philosophical thought and how we came to be we are where we are today.) Question. Where you would like to teach or do research—i.e., a secular or a religious institution—may impact your goals. Have you considered pursuing Philosophy of Religion as your PhD? Keep in mind that some MDivs offer areas concentration, such as in Christian Philosophy or apologetics, and those areas might transfer well into Phil. of Religion. Check with the schools you are looking into for their recommendations. Don't be afraid to reach out to program directors or professors with similar interests as yours. (I've had positive responses and it has been even recommended to me.) So long as you keep your inquiry concise, a lot of professors will respond to emails. It's good for business, and it's good for the reputation of the school to recruit students interested in what they have to teach.