So I’ve been in the process of applying for PhD programs over the last couple of years as I was finishing my M.Div.Honours at Providence Theological Seminary [this was true in 2012 when I first posted this. In full disclosure, I completed my PhD at Bangor University, Wales in January 2018]. In my researching, I discovered there are a few schools offering PhD programs which are particularly pentecostally friendly (and all of them are somewhat new programs): Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (Springfield, MO, USA), Regent University (Virginia Beach, VA, USA), Bangor University (Wales, UK), University of Birmingham (Birmingham, UK), the Hollenweger Center (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), Alphacrucis College (Australia), London School of Theology, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (Philippines), and Pan Africa Theological Seminary (two campuses: Lomé, Togo and Nairobi, Kenya), Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, OK, USA), University of Aurel Vlaicu in Arad (Romania), Asia LIFE University (South Korea), and Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland, TN, USA). All of these programs are interestingly enough distance programs…which may (in part) be due to the Pentecostal ethos of pragmatics (though this is just an assumption on my part) since they allow for continuing ministry while pursuing academics.
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary‘s programs offer the more traditional American track for PhD work which involves fairly extensive course requirements accomplished three times a year (via intensives on-site) prior to dissertation writing. There are four tracks available: Biblical Theology, OT Studies, NT Studies, and Systematic/Historic Theology. They also offer a PhD in Intercultural Studies. Full disclosure: I am now a faculty of AGTS and, thus, a potential supervisor for PhD students as of fall 2021.
Regent University‘s program similarly offers coursework prior to official dissertation work. The requirements for entrance are more stringent as are the requirements for maintaining status as a student. Technically, this program is NOT a Pentecostal program…it is a “Renewal Studies” program offering tracks in Biblical Studies (OT or NT specialization), History of Global Christianity, and Christian Theology. The distinction should not be dismissed lightly. The “Renewal” nature of this program means it is more concerned with generalized understandings of the Spirit’s work rather than functioning within a Pentecostally constructed framework (such as one finds in Classical Pentecostalism). This program requires on-site studies for two week stints three times a year.
Bangor University’s program (under the aegis of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies) follows the British model for PhD work which is entirely research/writing as opposed to the coursework of a U.S. program. While the U.S. programs prepare a student for future studies in a broader preparation, the British program offers the self-motivated student the opportunity to jump right into the research they are intending for their final project. Bangor’s program is in conjunction with Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland, TN; via John Christopher Thomas – Clarence J. Abbott Professor of Biblical Studies). This program facilitates the Pentecostal scholar to write from an explicitly Pentecostal perspective (see the works of Ken Archer, Chris Thomas and Lee Roy Martin for examples). The program functions in conjunction with the Centre for Pentecostal Theology. The student is only required to attend seminars that are discussions/critiques of their current dissertation writing twice a year (for a two day stint each time) at the CPT location in Cleveland, TN (along with monthly supervisions via Skype)…and then to defend their final work onsite at Bangor (the viva). This program now includes supervisors alongside Chris Thomas like Frank Macchia, Chris Green, and Robby Waddell.
University of Birmingham also (naturally) follows the British model of research/writing. They require one two-week stint onsite per year and then attendance for the viva. The Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies (at Birmingham) offers considerable resources for such research and writing and offers several notable faculty (Walter Hollenweger was one of these): Daniela Augustine, Andrew Davies, and Wolfgang Vondey.
The Hollenweger Center is based in Amsterdam and is a part of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. There is no requirement to know or learn Dutch as a part of this program, but one must regularly visit and research onsite over the four year period intended for the dissertation (see requirements HERE). There are no specific course requirements, but any given number of seminars should be taken to aid the student in their research and studies.
Alphacrucis College in Sydney, Australia now (2016) offers a PhD in business, education or theology that is taught be leading scholars in their field. It is an entirely research/writing based program that requires no residency nor a viva/oral-defense following standard Australian academic procedure.
The London School of Theology offers a number of foci within Pentecostal studies and includes such faculty as William Atkinson and Mark Cartledge (among others). This is (as noted above) a British PhD and thus is focused upon research/writing of a thesis rather than courses.
Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio City, Philippines offers PhDs in education, missions, counseling, theology, and biblical studies. It is also entirely a research/writing based program where the residencies consist of three research seminars (accomplished via intensives), dissertation, and oral defense.
Pan Africa Theological Seminary (known as PAThS) via West Africa Advanced School of Theology in Lomé, Togo offers a PhD in Theological Studies. This program (like APTS above) is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. This program offers a hybrid approach that requires one month of residence on campus during a 4-year period.
Oral Roberts University commenced a PhD in Theology (welcoming applications fall 2018) with a focus upon global contextualized theology under the leadership of Wonsuk Ma.
Universitatea Aurel Vlaicu din Arad (Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Romania) offers a PhD in Pentecostal theology as part of an interdisciplinary program of study (intended for 3 years of full-time work). It is offered in both Romanian and English and includes some taught courses, examinations along with the final research dissertation.
Asia LIFE University (Daejeon City, South Korea) offers a PhD in English or Korean specializing in Pentecostal studies.
Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland, TN, USA) offers a PhD in biblical studies or theology with a Wesleyan-Pentecostal interpretive perspective. It is a 60 hour program (48 hours of courses including teaching/instructional requirements) and a dissertation.
If I’ve missed any I would love to know so that I could add them to this post. I would welcome any comments or questions about these programs as I’ve done the application work for AGTS, Bangor University, and Regent University (plus others), but determined Bangor was the best fit for me.
[updated March 6, 2024]
