Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry
Bring Positive Change and Growth to Your Ministry with Our Ph.D. in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry
Strategic planning plays an important role in Christian ministry because it can allow ministry leaders to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them and helps equip them to fulfill the Great Commission. If you want to learn how to launch strategic initiatives that can expand your ministry’s effectiveness, Liberty’s online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry degree may be for you.
In this program, you can develop leadership abilities and biblical knowledge to potentially carry out effective ministry efforts. The Ph.D. in Christian Leadership is a research-focused program designed to help you lead, teach, and conduct research for churches, parachurch organizations, Christian schools, and more. With our 100% online courses, experienced faculty, and institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), you can partner with Liberty University as a valuable step in preparing for the future.
What Will You Study in Liberty University’s Ph.D. in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry?
- Biblical and theological foundations of leadership and education
- Characteristics of discipleship
- Leadership and management theory
- Marks of a biblical church
In this program, you’ll complete several core Christian leadership courses that cover topics such as group and team dynamics, organizational theory and development, and the ethical aspects of Christian leadership. Building on these core studies, the strategic Christian ministry specialization can help equip you to assess your ministry’s success and biblical faithfulness, evaluate the health of your local church, and use new technologies and strategies to enhance your ministry. Through these studies, you can prepare to bring needed change and growth to your church or organization.
To synthesize your knowledge, you will complete a sequence of research courses culminating in a dissertation. The dissertation process will allow you to conduct your own original research, examine important problems in the field, and potentially contribute to the current body of knowledge in Christian leadership.
Potential Careers for Ph.D. in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry Graduates
- Christian education
- Christian ministries
- Churches
- Faith-based organizations
- Higher education
- Missions organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Research
Benefits of Pursuing Your Ph.D. in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry Degree with Liberty University
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.
- As a John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Ph.D. student, you will receive a block rate of $2,750 if you enroll in 7-15 credit hours per semester. This can save you up to $6,000 a semester!**
*Electronic textbooks are not provided for courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.
**Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours are charged at the part-time rate.
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Here’s how:
- If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
- If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $300/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $300/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!
Credit Hours

Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC










600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
No tuition increase for 9 years
We want to help you pursue your goals - so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven't.
Popular Degrees
All Areas of Interest
Arts & Sciences
Aviation
Behavioral Sciences
Business
Communication & Design
Criminal Justice
Education
Engineering & Computer Science
Health Sciences
Law & Government
Music & Worship
Nursing
Religion & Seminary
Hear from our Graduates
“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”
Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision
“Liberty offers an affordable, Christ-centered education, honoring the foundations of our country. I have learned how to apply a Biblical worldview to my work in public policy while adequately knowing history and the founding documents of United States.”
Morgan Schlesselman, Master's in Public Policy
“There have been so many highly qualified professors who have sown generously into my academic endeavors at Liberty that encouraged me when I felt like giving up.”
James, Master of Divinity