Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Practical Theology
Use Theological Understanding to Meet the Needs of Christian Communities with Liberty’s Online Ph.D. in Practical Theology
Do you have a passion for helping Christian leaders serve their congregations and communities? Are you interested in conducting valuable theological research and using it to address ministry-related problems? With Liberty’s online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Practical Theology, you can learn how to take theological principles beyond the realm of academic study and apply them to every aspect of Christian thought, worship, and life.
This 100% online Ph.D. program is designed to help you engage in practical theology in churches, parachurch organizations, religious nonprofits, and even secular settings. The skills you develop through this degree can be an asset as you seek to write about practical theology topics, teach at a university or seminary, serve as a church staff member, or develop material to distribute to Christians seeking answers to ministry questions.
At Liberty, we’re committed to offering you the best in distance learning – which means providing you with flexible courses, dedicated faculty, and a world-class curriculum that can help equip you for your future. By partnering with us for your doctoral degree, you’ll have the freedom to further your education without putting your life on hold – enabling you to get the skills, knowledge, and training you need to serve others and become a Champion for Christ.
What Will You Learn in Liberty University’s Practical Theology Ph.D.?
- Challenges and opportunities related to ministry in the 21st century
- Philosophical and ministry foundations for practical theology
- Teaching and research methods
Through this program, you can become equipped to apply theological principles to challenges in church growth, spiritual formation, social issues, preaching, church administration, educational ministries, family life, and more. Your courses will cover the hands-on aspects of carrying out practical theology as well as research techniques and tools for contributing your own findings to the field.
As you prepare to write and defend your dissertation, you can learn how to position your own research within the broader scholarly conversations taking place about your topic – and how to use your research to address practical theology- and ministry-related challenges.
Potential Careers for Graduates of the Ph.D. in Practical Theology Program
- Author
- Church staff leader
- Parachurch ministry leader
- Pastor
- Professor
Benefits of Pursuing Your Online Ph.D. in Practical Theology 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:
- We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online 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.
- Your ministry matters – so when you take 7-15 credit hours per semester in your divinity program, you’ll pay a discounted block rate of $2,750.* It’s our way of supporting all you do to serve others.
- Electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses** all for one convenient fee. To continue our mission of providing affordable education, this fee is waived for students who enroll by Summer 2024 D-term.
- You can complete this Ph.D. in Practical Theology degree program in as little as 3 years!
*Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours are charged at the part-time rate.
**Electronic textbooks are not provided for courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.
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
May 13, 2024
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
“In the times in which we’re living today, Liberty University’s mission, the mission of training up a generation of
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE
Experience That Matters to You
As an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers you an education that is both academically challenging and rooted in a biblical worldview.
At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 35+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.
And what’s that?
- Affordability
- Accessibility
- Academic Quality
These important factors challenged us to find new financial solutions, get ahead of industry trends, and blaze trails into cutting-edge career fields — and it’s paid off. That’s the difference experience makes.
Ranked in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America and recognized by multiple institutions for academic quality, affordability, and accessibility.
Why Choose Liberty University?
Enjoy Flexible Courses
Choose from a wide variety of programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level, most of which are 100% online*. With an 8-week format and 8 start dates per year, it’s easy to fit your courses around your schedule!
* Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Maximize Your Time
Start and finish your degree faster! Liberty requires no standardized testing for admission, and you can transfer previous course credit — transfer in up to 75% of a bachelor’s degree and up to 50% of a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree — or discover how your life, career, or military experience may count toward your college degree.
Grow in Your Faith
All of our courses are taught from a Christian perspective, and our faculty see themselves as mentors. Our mission is to Train Champions for Christ — we’re committed to championing you as you study to go further in your field, become a leader in your industry, or start a new career.
Access Academic Support
Throughout your educational journey, you will have access to academic resources that will aid in the completion of your degree. Services include our Jerry Falwell Library, writing center, tutoring, study aids, IT assistance, 30+ tutorial videos, live webinars, and personalized help from our academic advising team.
An Online Education with On-Campus Benefits
Cheer on 20 NCAA Division I
games that air nationwide
Graduate with your peers
Be inspired by world-renowned
speakers at Convocation
As a nonprofit (not-for-profit) university, Liberty is in the business of training skilled professionals to make a difference in the world – not gaining profit, revenue, or producing dividends for shareholders. In keeping with our commitment to your education, we invest our resources back into degree programs and into your student experience.
While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university and has not increased tuition for 9 straight years. Lower tuition means less student loan debt for students.
For Liberty University, nonprofit is more than a status; it is a valuable opportunity to invest in the lives of students who will go out and impact the world.
Financing Options
Financial Aid
Nearly 80% of all Liberty students in an online program are awarded financial aid. Virginia residents may qualify for additional aid — learn more!
Corporate Tuition Assistance
Deferred – If your company reimburses you for the cost of your education, you pay only a portion of your balance up front. You submit your grades to your employer who pays you, and then you pay the remaining balance for your classes.
Tuition Discounts
Qualified military service members, veterans, and their spouses can receive up to 55% off their tuition rate for eligible programs!
Contact one of our Admissions Counselors for more information by calling (800) 424-9595.
