Want A PhD To Become A University Professor

[Miss JMS]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you could help me out. This is my first post here. I am interested in earning a PhD in Religion/Theology. I am just starting my journey and am not sure exactly where I am headed yet. I love the study of Religion, in particular Christianity. That would be my focus if I had to pick right now. Not sure how to narrow that down yet. Still doing my research.

At any rate, here is where I stand. I have a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from a California State School with a GPA of 3.0. I also have a MBA in Marketing from an online school which I earned in 2010 with a GPA of 3.3. Finally I have a Doctorate in Theology from a small Seminary in the state I live in with a GPA of 3.8 which I just earned this year.

I have not taken the GREs. I still have to do that.

I have been a little all over the place. I thought I was going to be a Psychologist and have my own practice hence the MBA. But I had a change of heart and feel called to teach at the University level.

I want to go to the best University I can. I am interested in a PhD program since I do not have that yet. I would love to go to Yale or Harvard, but realistically I am not sure that is possible. I speak Polish very fluently (that was my first language) and I speak a little bit of Spanish, but not enough.

I know MOST PhD programs in Religion and Theology require a modern language requirement as well as an Ancient Language. I am a little uncertain about which ones I should pick. Would Latin be sufficient? I am thinking of enrolling in a Latin Course at the local Community College this Spring 2013 to get that going. Would Polish be sufficient enough for a Modern Language? I apologize, but since I am just starting out, I am not aware of all this yet. If anyone can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

I KNOW I have to do well on the testing and really prove myself in that aspect.

I have various experiences in the field of Religion in particular Christianity. I have participated in various ministries and did much volunteer work. I also have a few years experience teaching online courses but it is in Psychology, not Religion.

Do I stand a chance if I get my act together? I really want to teach at the University Level, preferably at the University I earn my PhD from. Any advice or suggestions? What additional steps can I take to increase my chances of getting in?

By the way I am 31, and no children, so I am fully committed to this and am willing to go the extra mile to make sure I am successful at my goal. I am the only person in my family to go this far in Education. My sister went to a Vocational type school, but has done little with it, I have absolutely zero debt because I was able to get scholarships. My family does not come from money or anything, but I was able to do careful planning and picked Schools that were lower in cost. I have a disability, (not comfortable disclosing it) but I was able to get a full ride scholarship as a result of this to the PhD Program of my choice. Naturally I want to pick the very best University and take advantage of this opportunity which I am so thankful for. I feel I am getting a second chance to get it right and pick the area I am most passionate about. I do not have to accept the scholarship right away. I can defer it as I try to do my research. I am an immigrant and I am just trying to make it and do it big as I see doors opening for me. Any input would benefit me at this point. Can I still get stipends and fellowships if I already have the cost of my tuition fully covered? How does that work? I agree that this is a loaded post, but I really want to do this correctly.

I never thought it would be me in this position. NEVER. I have a lot of work to do, but I have the funding, one of the core components.

Edited November 20, 2012 by Miss JMS

[Perique69]

For competitive programs, the GRE is crucial. Low scores will definitely keep you out. Your ThD may or may not help you get in; it depends on whether the school you attended is recognized and respected by the programs to which you'll apply. I'd ask the programs you're interested in about your ThD and whether it'll satisfy their admission requirements. Yale, Harvard and so forth might suggest that you get a master's degree from an equally competitive school then apply for the PhD. German and French are the two most common languages needed for PhD work. An intermediate reading knowledge is what is tested. Sometimes it's allowed to substitute one language for German or French, but not both. Admission to the most competitive programs includes full tuition plus a yearly stipend around $18k for 5 years. For less competitive programs, funding declines and becomes the student's responsibility.

[sacklunch]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you could help me out. This is my first post here. I am interested in earning a PhD in Religion/Theology. I am just starting my journey and am not sure exactly where I am headed yet. I love the study of Religion, in particular Christianity. That would be my focus if I had to pick right now. Not sure how to narrow that down yet. Still doing my research.

At any rate, here is where I stand. I have a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies from a California State School with a GPA of 3.0. I also have a MBA in Marketing from an online school which I earned in 2010 with a GPA of 3.3. Finally I have a Doctorate in Theology from a small Seminary in the state I live in with a GPA of 3.8 which I just earned this year.

I have not taken the GREs. I still have to do that.

I have been a little all over the place. I thought I was going to be a Psychologist and have my own practice hence the MBA. But I had a change of heart and feel called to teach at the University level.

I want to go to the best University I can. I am interested in a PhD program since I do not have that yet. I would love to go to Yale or Harvard, but realistically I am not sure that is possible. I speak Polish very fluently (that was my first language) and I speak a little bit of Spanish, but not enough.

I know MOST PhD programs in Religion and Theology require a modern language requirement as well as an Ancient Language. I am a little uncertain about which ones I should pick. Would Latin be sufficient? I am thinking of enrolling in a Latin Course at the local Community College this Spring 2013 to get that going. Would Polish be sufficient enough for a Modern Language? I apologize, but since I am just starting out, I am not aware of all this yet. If anyone can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

I KNOW I have to do well on the testing and really prove myself in that aspect.

I have various experiences in the field of Religion in particular Christianity. I have participated in various ministries and did much volunteer work. I also have a few years experience teaching online courses but it is in Psychology, not Religion.

Do I stand a chance if I get my act together? I really want to teach at the University Level, preferably at the University I earn my PhD from. Any advice or suggestions? What additional steps can I take to increase my chances of getting in?

By the way I am 31, and no children, so I am fully committed to this and am willing to go the extra mile to make sure I am successful at my goal. I am the only person in my family to go this far in Education. My sister went to a Vocational type school, but has done little with it, I have absolutely zero debt because I was able to get scholarships. My family does not come from money or anything, but I was able to do careful planning and picked Schools that were lower in cost. I have a disability, (not comfortable disclosing it) but I was able to get a full ride scholarship as a result of this to the PhD Program of my choice. Naturally I want to pick the very best University and take advantage of this opportunity which I am so thankful for. I feel I am getting a second chance to get it right and pick the area I am most passionate about. I do not have to accept the scholarship right away. I can defer it as I try to do my research. I am an immigrant and I am just trying to make it and do it big as I see doors opening for me. Any input would benefit me at this point. Can I still get stipends and fellowships if I already have the cost of my tuition fully covered? How does that work? I agree that this is a loaded post, but I really want to do this correctly.

I never thought it would be me in this position. NEVER. I have a lot of work to do, but I have the funding, one of the core components.

Wait, I'm confused. You already have a doctorate in theology??