Developing biblical solutions for managerial issues of Not-for-Profit Organisations — research that transforms churches, institutions, and the world.
15 July 2026
A rigorous doctoral programme designed to equip leaders of non-profit organisations with advanced, biblically-rooted management frameworks.
Provide advanced, biblical-foundation solutions to the managerial issues faced by NPOs and faith-based organisations.
Conduct and disseminate scholarly research relevant to Christian management, reaching academic and practitioner audiences.
Enhance knowledge and competence in teaching and research at colleges, theological institutions, and universities.
Engage in service and outreach through religious and charitable organisations that promote scholarship and public impact.
Enhance writing capacity to make original contributions to the discipline that are significant for religious communities and academia.
Instill commitment to collaborative inquiry, mentoring, publication and other modes of knowledge transfer.
The programme follows the standard 10+2+3/4+2 education pattern. Candidates must hold a relevant Master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent grade).
Note: All admitted candidates must complete a Pre-Doctoral Programme (PDP) before joining the PhD programme. Candidates without a management background are required to complete an additional management course as part of PDP. In exceptional cases, the RAC may grant an exemption.
MA in Christian Management (MACM) / MBA from a recognised University or Institute with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade; preferably with two or more years of work experience.
MTh from Serampore / ATA or any other recognised University, with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade on a point scale.
Any Master's Degree from a recognised University with a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade, accepted by Martin Luther Christian University.
ACA, FCA, AICWAI, or ACSI qualifications from ICAI, ICWAI, or ICSI, provided the candidate has secured 55% or more in the aggregate qualifying degree examination.
Since this is a part-time programme, candidates need to apply through their organisation and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The programme is designed for working professionals and can be completed on a part-time basis. Duration is counted from the date of admission.
Foundational courses in Biblical Understanding of Management, Christian Management Research, and Organisation Management (if required). Culminates in a tentative research proposal.
Entrance exam & interview, then four PhD courses: Research Methodology, Theoretical Approach to Christian Management Research, Advanced/Specialised Course, and Research Paper.
Proposal presentation and approval by the Doctoral Committee. Candidates begin primary research after ethical clearance from the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC).
Primary research, writing, conference presentations, pre-submission presentation, thesis submission, and public defence. Ordinarily completed within 6 months of submission.
A structured, transparent process to identify candidates with passion, potential, and purpose.
Register online and complete the PDP courses. Prepare your tentative research proposal during this phase. Candidates need a No Objection Certificate from their organisation.
After completing PDP, submit your PhD application along with a 500-word statement of purpose and a 1,500-word tentative dissertation proposal with 5–10 academic references.
Sit the MLCU entrance examination. The qualifying mark is 50%. The exam covers English competency, research methods, analytical skills, and community orientation.
Candidates who pass the entrance test are invited for an interview based on their dissertation proposal. This is an opportunity to showcase your research vision.
Successful candidates are assigned a Research Supervisor. A co-supervisor may be secured if the research is interdisciplinary or involves specialised subjects.
Application Deadline
15 July 2026Planned schedule for the 2026–2028 cohort. All dates are tentative and subject to confirmation by the Institute.
Fees are payable in two portions — to CIM (Chennai) and MLCU (Shillong). Installment payment options are available.
Christian Institute of Management
Martin Luther Christian University
Candidates will be required to comply with the MLCU guidelines, which may be updated periodically and will be made available on the MLCU website.
Join a community of scholars committed to advancing Christian leadership in NPOs. Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open.