Whitley College is committed to academic research excellence and accepts Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students at all levels of research-centred, higher education. This includes encouraging enrolment in anything from a 16,000 word Minor Thesis Project through to an 80,000 to 100,000 word PhD.
Minor Thesis
By enrolling in a Minor Thesis, you are taking the first steps towards entry into one of our Research Masters or Doctoral programs.
The Minor Thesis is a 16,000 word, supervised Research Project, studied across either one or two Semesters, that requires you to have completed an assessed Research Methods Unit.
Check out the program details, including how to apply, on the University’s website here.
Research Master’s Degree
At Whitley you may enrol in a Master of Philosophy program. This will involve advanced theological research supervised by a member of the College or University faculty.
If you’re planning to focus your theological research by advancing your knowledge of divinity, or if your focus is a little broader, combining research intended to advance your knowledge of divinity with its related disciplines, then the Master of Philosophy is the ideal program for you.
The awards provides a possible pathway for doctoral study.
Doctoral Degrees
At Whitley you can enrol in the University’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. This degree requires original theological research at the highest level, supervised by two or more research-active scholars, at least one of whom must be a member of the College or University faculty.
You may have considered other doctoral programmes that involve taught classes, such as a DMin or some PhD programs, or which are modular in nature. Whitley does not offer any of these options. If you pursue an enquiry with Whitley, it will be on the basis that you will be able to demonstrate the potential or actual ability to apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more areas of investigation, scholarship or professional practice, for between three to four years full-time, or the part-time equivalent.
For this reason, the first step of our exploring options with you, is for you to complete and submit an initial Research Enquiry and send it to our Dean of Research, Rev Associate Professor Darrell Jackson. After reviewing your Research Enquiry, we will reply to you within as short a time period as possible.