Questions about PhD programs?

[sacklunch]

Just general questions:

1. Besides Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic, what languages do many doctoral programs expect you to have a reading comprehension in? German, French, ?

2. Are most programs free?

3. Do most programs require the GRE? I noticed that many of the programs I applied for did not require the GRE.

Keep in mind, I am mostly asking about private schools.

thanks guys

-Nick

[11Q13]

Just general questions:

1. Besides Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic, what languages do many doctoral programs expect you to have a reading comprehension in? German, French, ?

2. Are most programs free?

3. Do most programs require the GRE? I noticed that many of the programs I applied for did not require the GRE.

Keep in mind, I am mostly asking about private schools.

thanks guys

-Nick

based on what I've seen

1 depends on if your focus is OT or NT, if its NT they might prefer Latin and Greek to Hebrew. The modern languages vary somewhat but a lot will expect either German or French by matriculation, typically with the other by the time you finish

2 at the top schools yes, as far as I can see

3 at the phd level, definitely

[Postbib Yeshuist]

I think you meant "normal" or "expected," not "normative." The latter typically deals with behaviors that are encouraged/discouraged (e.g. heteronormative prohibitions against sexual intercourse at some seminaries). None of your questions really speak to this.

1. Most programs will expect reading fluency in at least one "modern" language and will test you in August before you matriculate. Beginning competency in a second is often encouraged and you cannot count on the school helping you with much beyond possible refresher courses.

2. No such thing. Your financial package might make it free, but they will gladly charge you $20-30k the next year to come back if your grades drop below a given mark.

3. Any program worth giving $75 to will. The GRE is not always required for MTS/MDiv programs, but expect it for PhD.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Postbib Yeshuist

[sacklunch]

I think you meant "normal" or "expected," not "normative." The latter typically deals with behaviors that are encouraged/discouraged (e.g. heteronormative prohibitions against sexual intercourse at some seminaries). None of your questions really speak to this.

1. Most programs will expect reading fluency in at least one "modern" language and will test you in August before you matriculate. Beginning competency in a second is often encouraged and you cannot count on the school helping you with much beyond possible refresher courses.

2. No such thing. Your financial package might make it free, but they will gladly charge you $20-30k the next year to come back if your grades drop below a given mark.

3. Any program worth giving $75 to will. The GRE is not always required for MTS/MDiv programs, but expect it for PhD.

Thanks for correcting me!

I thought I had read that many of the MTS programs didn't "require" languages. Many of them seemed to be taken as electives, although they are strongly recommended for later PhD programs. I planned on taking more Greek, starting Hebrew, and possibly taking German in an intensive summer course.

thanks again,

-Nick

[Postbib Yeshuist]

I thought I had read that many of the MTS programs didn't "require" languages.

Yes, that's true, but since your post title was "questions about PhD" I assumed that's what you were asking about. For MTS you will probably be able to get out without any modern language requirement at all, though if you hope to be competitive for PhD programs, you would do well to get one locked down and start on a second.