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EUCLID: an intergovernmental

treaty-based organization under


public international law
www.euclid.int

Doctorate (PhD)
In Orthodox Christian
Theology
Revised 02/2014

Program Overview

The EUCLID DEOTh is a highly specialized doc-


toral program that is presented within the
framework of EUCLID’s mandate in inter-
religious dialogue and diplomacy. It is offered
by a public intergovernmental institution and
can be combined with an ecclesiastical de-
gree.

This online-delivered program aims at prepar-


ing expert-leaders able to make a difference
through international engagement.

What you need to know:

 This is an online (distance-learning)


program with no residency require-
ments.
 Enrollment is continuous and asyn-
chronous, which means that ap-
proved applicants may start at any
time.
 By order of priority, eligible appli-
In this Brochure, you will find: cants are: (1) officials of the EUCLID
Participating States (2) officials work-
ing for other States (3) staff of inter-
 A word from the Secretary-General national organizations (4) ECOWAS
 Program Overview region general public students (5)
 Program Objectives general public students from the rest
of the world.
 Admission Requirements
 This a low-tuition program with sev-
 Methodology eral scholarship opportunities,
 Program Courses offered by an intergovernmental
 Credit Values (non-profit, public) organization act-
ing under treaty authority.
 Accreditation
 EUCLID offers a joint-degree option
 Peers and Alumni with the St Gregory Nazianzen Ortho-
 Language Requirements dox Institute (Ecumenical Patriar-
 How to Apply chate; Metropolis of Mexico).
 Summary and Outcome
WWW.EUCLID.INT | SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND INTER-RELIGIOUS STUDIES

A message from the EUCLID Secretary-General

Joint Success... Global Issues, Global Education...


EUCLID is a rare and remarkable institution in We are an international intergovernmental or-
today’s world, and we expect you—our potential ganization, focused on sustainable economic
future student and stakeholder—to be equally development and global engagement. Are you?
rare and outstanding.
If news headlines are dominated by institutions
We expect you to be persistent, determined to that stand out with their exclusive “.int” exten-
overcome all obstacles to achieve your personal sion (imf.int, ecb.int, who.int; “.int” domains are
and professional goals. restricted to treaty-based organizations), should
not your alma-mater also stand out with its “.int”
You should be passionate about your proposed
extension and intergovernmental status?
field of study, an avid and fast reader whose aim
is to achieve depth of understanding, excellence Apart from the institutional aspect, the program
and quality as a professional and subject-matter documented in this brochure is equally a reflec-
expert. tion of this ambitious philosophy: intellectual ri-
gor and openness, excellence in written and oral
You should be willing (and able) to absorb a vast
communication, broad and deep coverage of
amount of knowledge and to acquire critical
this vast field of knowledge and practice.
skills in peripheral areas such as IT, marketing
and public speaking. Being accepted in and completing such a pro-
gram would certainly be a tremendous achieve-
EUCLID has built a bridge that reminds us of the
ment and an open door to a new realm of possi-
amazing Millau Viaduct in France. This bridge
bilities. The question is not simply “Are you qual-
was inaugurated in 2004 and represents a tre-
ified?” - it really is: “Are you ready and willing?”
mendous human achievement. EUCLID, like-
wise, was launched in 2004 and is now one of We look forward to this encounter.
the world’s few intergovernmental universities
Sincerely,
with a UN-registered treaty-based charter. Other
similar institutions include the United Nations
University, the European University Institute, the
University of Central Asia and the University for SZAli
Peace.
Syed Zahid Ali
From being a mere vision in 2004 to becoming Secretary-General
a respected international actor ten years later,
we know that the road to achievement requires
absolute dedication, an ever-renewed commit-
ment to outstanding service and impeccable
moral character.
In short, we seek students who will blend with
EUCLID and become life-long stakeholders in
our joint success.

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EUCLID — WWW.EUCLID.INT — AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Overview Admission Requirements


The EUCLID DEOTh (PhD in Orthodox Christian  Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a
Theology) is a distance-delivered, non-resident relevant field or its international equivalent, is-
degree program offered by EUCLID (Euclid Uni- sued by an institution recognized or accredited
versity), an intergovernmental treaty-based or- by the appropriate public agency or ecclesiasti-
ganization serving 12 Participating States glob- cal authority.
ally, and headquartered in Banjul, The Gambia,
 Government-sponsored applicants (who are
West Africa. In this regards, EUCLID’s priority
already government staff) may be admitted
mission to serve the Orthodox Churches in Afri-
without a qualifying degree if their level of edu-
ca (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria;
cation and experience is deemed sufficient. EU-
Oriental Orthodox Churches of Egypt, Ethiopia
CLID may require these participants to com-
and Eritrea). However, EUCLID has also trained,
plete bridge courses prior to enrolling in the
with ecclesiastical approval, students based in
DEOTh.
other regions including the USA, for ordination.
In view of the fact that EUCLID is a public, non-  Fluency in English (spoken and written) is re-
sectarian, and government-sponsored institu- quired and will be tested. Working knowledge
tion, it has signed a joint-degree agreement of Koine Greek (using electronic tools such as
with an Orthodox ecclesiastical institution (St BibleWorks) is expected.
Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Institute, Ecumen-
 Students are expected to be in a position to
ical Patriarchate of Constantinople).
dedicate 10 to 15 effective hours of study on a
weekly basis.
Program Objectives
The goal of this Doctorate is to prepare gradu- Methodology
ate-level expert theologians able to make a no-
table contribution to the advancement of Ortho- This program is offered on
dox theology and with the ability to engage in an asynchronous and open-
interfaith dialogue. enrollment basis with occa-
sional sequencing in cohort
Applicants seeking ordination in the Orthodox
groups.
Church should consult with their diocesan hier-
arch to discuss all requirements. This program is The DEOTh is personalized
not specifically design to meet any jurisdictional for every student and con-
requirements, but may be adapted to do so, if sists in a sequence of
requested, in coordination with ecclesiastical courses (academic mod-
authorities. ules) which are delivered
using the following methods / media formats:
On account of its low tuition and institutional
relationships, it is of special interest to African  Standard textbooks
and “Small Islands” students.
 DVD lectures / online videos
The EUCLID DEOTh stands out as a unique pro-
 MP3 podcasts and webcasts
gram in the sense that it is the only doctoral de-
gree program in Orthodox theology offered by  Internal EUCLID course packs
an intergovernmental organization chartered to
 Moderated conference calls
do so, with the option to also obtain an ecclesi-
astical degree.

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WWW.EUCLID.INT | SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND INTER-RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Typically, a course consists of 7 periods which ered to the course tutor in MP3 or WMV for-
logically organize and sequence the assigned mat.
materials that are to be studied on an individu-
al basis. Courses assignments include (1) re-
sponse papers after each study period (2) the Courses:
composition of academic papers based on the
EUCLID DEOTh Course Sequence:
textbooks, (3) the creation of a quiz which
should demonstrate the student’s grasp of the Based on the applicant's background and in-
subject-matter scope and particulars. coming credits, as well as intended specializa-
tion and thesis topic, a roadmap of courses
Students are often connected in “pairs” or
will be created to meet EUCLID's academic
“trios” which allows them to interact and ex-
standards and international guidelines
change on their coursework while moving
along in the program at their own pace.  International Academic Methods
Each course is capped by an extensive 45- (ACA-401-D) (1 UCH / 1.5 ECTS)
minute long oral examination (typically done  Argumentation and Critical Thinking
using Skype) which allows the supervising in- (TPH-499) (2 UCH/4.5 ECTS)
structor to enter the composite final grade.  Old Testament Module (G/PG)
Overall, this program emphasizes the ability to (OTM) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
understand systemic interactions as well as to  New Testament Module (G/PG)
express logical, respectful and persuasive (NTM) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
arguments by means of publishable academic  Canonical Studies
papers. At the same time, respect for the di-
(THE-333) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
versity of religious, bioethical, and political
values is emphasized in view of the institu-  Advanced Ecclesiastical History
tion’s public status. (THE-485) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
 Advanced Liturgical Studies
The ability to write structured, logically-
flowing, professional, journal-grade papers is (THE-73x) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
one of the essential objectives of this pro-  Orthodoxy and Psychology
gram. All students must complete the program (EOPSY) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
having acquired and demonstrated graduate-  Apologetics and Comparative Studies
level expertise in a specific aspect of Ortho- (THE-8xx) (3 UCH / 4.5 ECTS)
dox theology that will be of lasting interest to
 Doctoral-level Directed Studies
academia, government or the private sector.
(DDS-600) (4 UCH / 6 ECTS)
The curriculum also calls for the ability to pre-  Doctoral Dissertation
sent oral reports or lectures (webcasts), deliv-
(DTHESIS) (25 UCH / 40 ECTS)
EUCLID — WWW.EUCLID.INT — AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Please visit www.euclid.int for a complete


and updated list of courses and modules.
Each course is fully documented by
means of a detailed syllabus (program
syllabi are always available online with full
documentation of academic coursework).

Optional Specializations:
Nations Treaty Section with certificate refer-
In consultation with his or her assigned tutor, ences I-49006/49007 (visit http://
the student may pursue directed studies in treaties.un.org > Databases > UNTS data-
the following areas of research and concen- bases > Title Search > “EUCLID”).
tration:
As indicated by a United Nations letter (0218/
Inter-Religious Dialogue RCA/MP/ONU-12), EUCLID (and the UN-
Comparative Christian Studies related institutions including the United Na-
Hermeneutics and Biblical Studies tions University, the European University Insti-
tute, the World Maritime University, and the
Peers and Alumni IMO International Maritime Law Institute) are
recognized by the United Nations and
Because EUCLID was established to train ac- UNESCO as “being accredited.”
tive diplomats and government staff, our stu-
dents can be assured that their peers and fel- Having the status of intergovernmental non-
low alumni will form a high-level network. In profit institution under public international law
terms of recent Orthodox clergy references, (like NATO or the World Bank), EUCLID offers
EUCLID has already trained two Orthodox degree programs under Article I of its Charter.
priests (ROCOR) and one deacon It is one of the few universities that enjoying
(Patriarchate of Alexandria). international law accreditation or validation by
multiple governments spanning 3 continents
Credit Values (Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific). EUCLID has
full diplomatic status in its headquarters State
Credit values are expressed both in terms of (The Gambia) by agreement with the Ministry
USCH (US credit hour) and ECTS (European of Foreign Affairs, as well as university status
Credit Transfer System). Typically, 14 hours of by agreement with the Ministry of Higher Edu-
classroom instruction over the course of 1 se- cation. These agreements are also filed with
mester represents 1 USCH or 1.5-1.7 ECTS the United Nations Treaty Section.
(plus self-study time), which is converted to
the equivalent amount of study in the context EUCLID’s institutional and program accredita-
of a distance program. tion is also confirmed by 3 agreements signed
with other intergovernmental organizations
The total credit value for the completed DE- (ICCI, ECOWAS, CAFRAD).
OTh, according to international standards, is
90 USCH / 150 ECTS (beyond the bachelor’s). This graduate program specifically follows
international guidelines for a master’s degree,
Accreditation and Recognition and it is fully documented to facilitate interna-
tional transfers. A standard EU ‘Diploma Sup-
EUCLID (Pôle Universitaire EUCLIDE / Euclid plement’ is available upon request after grad-
University) is an intergovernmental organiza- uation.
tion with a university charter established by
multilateral treaty in 2008. The treaty itself is For more information, visit:
registered and published in full by the United http://www.euclid.int/accreditation.asp

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Language Requirements basis, which makes them suitable for fast read-
ers who on their own have a record of intense
All students must be fluent in English and should book reading and passionate interest in their
be conversant in French, Spanish, Arabic, Chi- field of study.
nese or another major world language. Working
EUCLID evaluates the applicant’s interpersonal
knowledge of Koine Greek has already been
and teamwork skills—which are essential for
mentioned.
personal and professional success—on the basis
of prior experience confirmed by means of an
How to apply extensive personal interview. Because EUCLID
was established to serve active diplomats and
All interested students must apply online at senior civil servants, it is expected that these
www.euclid.int professional skills will have been acquired and
demonstrated in the course of the applicant’s
Government-sponsored applicants may apply
career.
online in the same manner as the general public,
but they should also contact their National Point In some cases, EUCLID may propose specific
of Contact to secure formal endorsement. courses (which may not even be listed as elec-
tives) in order to bring inter-personal skills
The EUCLID Admissions Officer will send to all
(including public speaking) to executive level.
applicants an updated version of the
“Admissions Checklist” which explains the re- Upon completion of the program, every student
quired documentation to provide and the steps is expected to have become a subject-matter
to be followed. expert in Orthodox Christian theology.
It must be emphasized that completing a dis-
tance study program at EUCLID requires deter-
mination and persistence. This same trait is ex-
pected in applicants who should not expect to
be pursued by the Admissions team but rather
actively pursue enrollment at EUCLID.

Summary and Outcome


It is fair to say that EUCLID’s programs are better
described as ‘distance’ rather than ‘online’ study
programs. This means that students do not have
to connect at a particular day and time to partici-
pate in bulletin board discussions as is often the
case with ‘online’ programs.
Rather, our programs emphasize the ability to
absorb a vast amount of material on a personal

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Photo: A senior EUCLID official assessing educational
satisfaction during an official visit at a EUCLID Partici‐
pating State Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Faculty Profiles

Faculty Commitment South Africa


 Ph.D., a.b.d. (in General Psycholo-
EUCLID has secured an outstanding and truly gy), Northcentral University, US
global faculty roster, which however limits the  D. Min. (in Family Therapy), Southern Christian
amount of available slots for students. University, US
All our faculty members are dedicated to staying  M.A. Ed. (in Teaching English-as-a-Second Lan-
in touch with their assigned students and to pro- guage), University of Phoenix, US
vide not only timely but also quality responses  S.T.L. (in Orthodox Theology), St. Sophia Ukraini-
and feedback throughout the course work pro- an Orthodox Seminary, US
cess.
The Rev. Pr. Laurent CLEENEWERCK, EUCLID’s
Doctoral Backgrounds faculty coordinator, is also a faculty member at
the Ukrainian Catholic University and Humboldt
More than 70% of EUCLID faculty members hold State University. He is the author of the well-
doctorates from internationally recognized insti- received and authoritative text “His Broken
tutions, including: Body: Understanding and Healing the Schism
 Ludwig-Maximilians-University between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Ortho-
dox Churches” as well as the Editor of the East-
 University of Malta ern / Greek Orthodox New Testament.
 University of Minnesota
 Universidad Rural de Guatemala His relevant educational background includes a
DSc in Theology from St Gregory Nazianzen Or-
 UNISA thodox Institute, a Master’s in Ecumenical Stud-
 Capital University Law School ies from the Ukrainian Catholic University and an
 Rhodes University STL from the “Institut Saint Serge of Paris.”
For a current listing of faculty profiles with full
Faculty Highlights biographies, please visit www.euclid.int under
Academics > Faculty Profiles
Dr. Andrew Zoran VUJISIC, a mitered archiman-
drite in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is also the
Rector of the St Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox
Institute in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of
Mexico. His credentials include:

 Advanced Diploma in the Study of Religion, Uni-


versity of Cambridge, UK
 Th.D. (in Practical Theology), University of South
Africa, South Africa
 Ph.D. (in Applied Linguistics), Rhodes University,
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WWW.EUCLID.INT | SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND INTER-RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Frequently-Asked Questions

Are scholarships and financial aid deadline based on the course credit value.
available? Effective and dedicated part-time students have
Yes, for developing country students. Applicants been able to complete their coursework within
residing in a non-OECD country should seek in- 18—24 months of beginning the program.
formation by contacting our Admissions Office
or by visiting our ‘Scholarships’ webpage. EU-
Do you accept transfer credits or grant
CLID does not accept US Title IV financial aid.
credits based on work experience and
certifications?
Does the distance format provide the Yes. EUCLID may, on a case-by-case basis, as-
same quality of education offered on a sess transfer credit up to a maximum of twelve
traditional campus? credits. While the majority of our students have
Yes. The dropout rate is higher with distance years of work experience, this cannot be used
education because working professionals do not as a substitute for coursework.
always realize that finding 10-15 dedicated hours
of intense studying every week is a serious chal-
How much does the program cost?
lenge. In terms of quality however, numerous Please visit the EUCLID website at
studies have proven that distance learners per- www.euclid.int for an explanation of the tuition
form as well or better than their on-campus and fees for this program. You may also contact
counterparts. A research study (The No Signifi- our Admissions Officer for further information
cant Difference Phenomenon by Thomas L. Rus- regarding cost and applicable financial aid /
sell) cites 355 research reports, papers, and scholarships.
summaries showing no significant difference
between distance learning and in-class learning.
Where is EUCLID located?
Where a difference was identified, it generally EUCLID has its headquarters in The Gambia and
favored the distance-learning student. liaison offices around the world.
Will my diploma say “Online” degree? Will I need to travel to Washington DC,
No. Graduates receive the official, traditional
Brussels or Banjul?
diploma which is bilingual French / English. No. This program does not have a residency re-
quirement.
Is EUCLID accredited and recognized?
Yes, EUCLID is recognized and accredited, and
Do I need an Internet connection to quali-
this confirmed by the letter of the United Nations
fy?
Secretariat (0218/RCA/MP/ONU-12, dated 10 De- Yes. All students must have easy and regular
cember 2012 ) and is verifiable from the access to a high-speed connection, which
“UNESCO Portal to Recognized Higher Educa- means fast enough to conduct an international
tion Institutions” documents at www.unesco.gm phone call / web-conference using Skype.
and from www.un.int/comoros among several
official sources.
When can I begin the program?
Enrollment is continuous and students may typi-
How long will the program last? cally start 2-3 weeks after being accepted.
The program consists of a series of courses of
variable credit-value and therefore duration. The
computer system will assign a target date and

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Official Headquarters
Brusubi Roundabout at AU Highway—PMB 819
Brusubi
The Gambia
Tel.: +220 73 86 803 | Fax: +220 37 73 464

US Liaison Office to the Permanent Missions


EUCLID / Euclid Global Institute
1250 24th Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20037, USA
Tel.: +1 202 263-3628 | Fax: +1 202 466-0502

Personal Office of the Secretary-General


55, First Floor, Four Square Mall, 21-A
Block-2, PECHS
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel.: +92 21 452-8194 | Fax : +92 21 452-8195

Office of the Institutional High Steward


Permanent Mission of Burundi to the United Nations
336 East 45th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: +1 212 499-0001 | Fax: +1 212 499-00016

Office of the Diplomatic High Steward


Permanent Mission of the Comoros to the United Nations
866 UN Plaza, Suite 418
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: +1 212 750-1637 | Fax: +1 212 750-1657

For Admissions questions, the only authorized contact is:

admissions@euclid.int
Internet: www.euclid.int

Phone: + 1 202 263-3628 and Fax: +1 202 478-1690

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