Are you doing a PhD? Do you LOVE writing?

Questions about English PhD programs with creative dissertation or joint MFA?

• Greetings, all! My two passions in life are creative writing and ministry. I recently graduated from a top-ranked school in my field with my Master of Divinity. As I immerse myself in the life of the Church and start the ordination process, I'd love to work through a doctoral program in English--whether with an MFA that you receive along the way or a creative dissertation. While I'd love to teach adjunct at a university, my goal is not ultimately to be an English professor but to a) do writing from within the Church (inspirations include John Donne, Albert Camus and Flannery O'Connor who all beautiful wove their philosophical and theological perspectives into their work) b) give my parishioners the tools needed to deeply explore religious literature and practice both lectio and scriptio divina c) utilize the power of the fictional narrative to create space in which Christians might wrestle with their theological convictions, challenge dogmatism, and help them arrive at a better understanding of what they truly believe. Previous areas of study in my MDiv program were Christian social ethics, philosophical theology, practical theology, religious literature and LGBT studies. Does anyone have any advice for what programs might be suitable for me? And whether a joint MFA/PhD would be better or a PhD with a creative dissertation?

• Answer:

  Most programs treat MFAs as a terminal degree; it's not something you earn along the way. And given the very specific nature of your interests and inspirations, I think you'd be better off in a more analytical PhD program than an applied workshop setting. Look at universities affiliated with your denomination, and if you don't see any programs that are an exact fit, find some professors who are working in your general area and see if there's any possibility to tailor a course of study to your interests. If not, then maybe you can just pursue this independently in your capacity as a leader of your spiritual community without the formal credential.