How do I know which courses to take?

A common semester for most PhD students will include a seminar in their major area of study, a colloquium in their major area of study, and a seminar in their minor area of study. If students need help selecting their courses, their best resources will be their supervising professor or the Associate Director for Research Doctoral Studies.

What is the normal course load for a first semester student?

For first semester students, the following courses are recommended:

• Graduate Research Seminar (2 hours)
• Cooperative Program (0 hours)
• Seminar in your major area of study (4 hours)
• Colloquium in your major area of study (2 hours)
• Either a seminar in your minor area of study (4 hours) or a theological language course or both
• Total hours = 10-14

How do I register for courses?

The Academic Records office has an entire webpage devoted to the course registration process. You may also find additional help through their answers to frequently asked registration questions. If you have problems with registration, contact the Academic Records office.

What is the Cooperative Program class?

The Cooperative Program seminar is a one-time, non-curricular requirement for all students entering Southern or Boyce. The class must be completed by the end of a student’s first year of study. Students will listen to a series of MP3 lectures and take corresponding quizzes scoring a final overall average of 80% or higher to pass the course. Students who do not complete the course by the end of their second semester of study will not be able to register for future classes until the requirement has been met.