The Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar

The Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy, Hispanic Scholars Program, and Hispanic Theological Initiative partner to host the Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar which guides students through the process of completing applications for doctoral programs.

This course will explore the landscape of Theological Education in the context of the United States and its impact and engagement with Latine/Hispanic communities. It will consider the development and trajectory of Latine scholarship in areas of religious studies and theological education by considering cultural, social, and religious traditions as well as current power dynamics impacting Latine/Hispanic communities through the engagement of critical texts and dialogues with Latine scholars today. Students will be expected to identify and articulate a research project and apply for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. and Th.D.) at an ATS-accredited institution.


Doctoral Seminar: Guidance for Graduate Theology Students

Program Description

This is a graduate-level course in which participating students will receive three graduate-level credits toward their degree. Credits will be granted by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. To earn the three academic credits allotted for this course, students must complete all components of the doctoral application process including the writing sample which is typically 25 – 35 pages long (depending on the field and program). Designing this seminar as a credit-granting course has proven to create space in a student’s schedule to complete the doctoral application process.

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Receive three graduate-level credits granted by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and;
  • Complete all the components for, and submit applications to, doctoral (Ph.D. and Th.D.) programs across the country.

In order to accompany students through the doctoral application process, over the course of the Fall semester (August through December) participating students will:

  • Work with a team of Latine/Hispanic educators in order to determine where they will apply for doctoral studies;
  • Design an independent study focused on the academic field in which they will pursue a doctoral degree;
  • Complete each component of the doctoral application process including, but not limited to, an application essay, Curriculum Vitae, and writing sample;
  • Work with professional editors to improve their application materials;
  • Receive mentoring from senior scholars to strengthen their applications, addressing common requirements of the Ph.D./Th.D. selection process such as developing a successful personal statement, navigating the politics of interviews, and negotiating multiple admissions offers;
  • Apply to doctoral programs before the end of the semester.

Space is limited to 10 students.

Please note that HSP courses are not intended to fulfill any one school’s academic requirement, as we offer a wide variety of courses during the Summer Session, J-term, Doctoral Accompaniment Seminar and HSP for Undergrads. If a school chooses to use one of our courses to fulfill their requirements, then that is within the school’s purview, but we see our courses as electives that add to and expand a student’s curriculum.  What we do guarantee is that our courses are taught with excellence, our faculty hold terminal degrees and are in good standing in their field, and that all our classes meet ATS accreditation standards. Please note further that although credit transfer is guaranteed for students from HSP Sponsoring Schools, credit transfer for students from HTI Member Schools that are not HSP Sponsors would be subject to negotiation with the student’s home institution.

Program Dates and Location

  • Dates: Classes begin the last week of August, exact date TBA.
  • Location: Online

Program Eligibility

  • Be a student committed to Latine/Hispanic community, culture and history
  • Be in the final year of a Masters level program at an HSP sponsoring school and/or a Hispanic Theological Initiative member school

Program Fee

  • Tuition for this program is set at $375, due upon enrollment in the course if accepted.

Program Applications

  • Application is currently closed.
  • Recommendations are due 1-week after the application closes.
  • Program Fee due by 1-week after notification of admission.