EdD in Christian Leadership | NextGen Ministry |Liberty University

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | May 18, 2026

Lead and Teach the Next Generation of Christ-Followers with an EdD in Christian Leadership – Next Generation Ministry Online

Do you have a desire to lead and minister to young people? If so, our Doctor of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership – Next Generation (NextGen) Ministry can help equip you for the calling that God has on your life. With a unique combination of praxis and research, our NextGen online youth ministry degree can help prepare you for both the classroom and the congregation.

Today’s youth need strong leaders with firm morals, godly values, a commitment to upholding biblical truth, and a love for those around them. Our Doctor of Education online is an excellent fit for those who want to be Champions for Christ. Partner with us and discover how to lead the next generation to impact the world for Christ.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership – Next Generation (NextGen) Ministry.

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s EdD Degree in NextGen Ministry?

Liberty University is a training ground for those who are seeking to become Champions for Christ. We know that choosing to pursue your doctoral degree is a big decision, and we believe that your education should be flexible.

Your courses will be taught by industry experts who have advanced degrees in their field. Your professors will pray for you and seek to partner with you as you pursue your degree. The knowledge and wisdom that your professors provide are backed by years of practical experience in ministry settings, so you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.

Additionally, Liberty University is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so you can rest assured that you are earning a degree at an institution that has met rigorous educational standards.

Between our talented faculty, quality, and affordability, Liberty University provides an excellent environment to pursue your doctor of educational ministry online — and we’re excited to partner with you as you prepare to impact the next generation of young people.

What Will You Study in Our EdD in Christian Leadership Degree?

Our EdD in Christian Leadership – Next Generation Ministry combines the training that you would receive in an online youth ministry degree with the rigorous training in education and ministry that you expect from a doctoral degree.

In this degree program, you’ll begin with a study of the biblical and theological basis for education, followed by research and specialization courses. With the unique blend of courses that you complete, you’ll be able to interact with material that can help spark ideas for your praxis project.

Courses in the NextGen ministry specialization will focus on the issues and trends in the development of ministry in both educational and ministry settings. Through applied projects and a specially developed curriculum, you can become a research-oriented professional.

Potential Career Opportunities

As a graduate of our EdD in Christian Leadership – Next Generation Ministry, you can pursue a variety of careers in both the education and ministry sectors. With the knowledge that you attain in our doctoral ministry degree, you can be better prepared for the following careers:

College professor
Discipleship pastor
Lead/youth pastor
Nonprofit executive
Youth/NextGen ministry director

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Degree Information

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for PACO courses or courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

EdS and EdD Full Time	$610/Credit
EdS and EdD Part Time	$675/Credit
Military EdS and EdD	$375/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for the EdD in Next Generation Ministry

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 36 credit hours and a minimum 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Submit a Statement of Purpose
- In 1,000-1,500 words, please answer the following questions:
  - How has your previous education and/or work experience prepared you for doctoral studies at Liberty University?
  - What is your goal with regard to pursuing a doctoral education at Liberty University?
  - Please describe the character and values you possess that will help you succeed in your desired field.
Submit a School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
Department Review
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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EdD in Christian Leadership – NextGen Ministry Minister the Future

Lead and Teach the Next Generation of Christ-Followers with an EdD in Christian Leadership – Next Generation Ministry Online

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s EdD Degree in NextGen Ministry?

What Will You Study in Our EdD in Christian Leadership Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for the EdD in Next Generation Ministry

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

Admissions Office Contact Information

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