EdD in Christian Leadership – Ministry Leadership Transform Ministry Leadership
54
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
Do you want to disciple new leaders and improve your ministry’s effectiveness? Conferring our 100% online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership – Ministry Leadership degree can help. Through this program, you can prepare to disciple new leaders and increase your own ministry’s effectiveness.
As an applied theology degree, our doctorate in Christian leadership integrates a biblical worldview with leadership, education, and social science principles. You can gain a well-rounded foundation to lead wherever God calls you. As a Christian school, we have designed this program to help you become a Champion for Christ. Partner with us and gain the training you need to make an impact on God’s Kingdom.
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
Liberty University’s mission of Training Champions for Christ extends into every area of your education. Here are some of the ways Liberty stands out and upholds this mission:
As a student at Liberty University, you get access to the Logos Bible app at no extra cost. If you’re in a Rawlings School of Divinity program, you receive a Logos Max subscription – unlocking a robust library of biblical and theological resources while you study.
The majority of our Liberty Theological Seminary master’s programs even integrate Logos into your courses, teaching you how to use it effectively and giving you additional resources and training to help you dig deeper into Scripture and prepare for ministry.

Our EdD in Christian Leadership – Ministry Leadership degree program is designed to provide you with a biblical foundation for leadership and management in the Church and ministry organizations. Your courses can help equip you with the tools and skills essential to effectively lead a team by giving you opportunities for leadership experience.
Our professors care about your growth as a leader within the Church. They will use their real-world experience in ministry leadership to teach you the practical skills you need to conquer the challenges of this field.
In your online Christian leadership courses, you can perform doctoral-level research for practical application in diverse educational, organizational, and ministry contexts. Fulfillment of the EdD praxis gives you the opportunity to exhibit your expertise and abilities. You can apply advanced concepts learned in the Christian leadership program to your research.
Degree Completion Plan
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
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.
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
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.
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
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.
The Liberty Theological Seminary 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.
Our Christian leadership doctorate is designed to help you earn and maintain administrative and leadership roles in ministry. Whether you want to work in a church, nonprofit, or educational institution, this degree can help. Our doctoral program may be right for you if:
Have you been researching EdD and PhD in Christian leadership online programs and aren’t sure what the difference is? The main difference between these two types of doctoral degrees is that an EdD is focused on practice, and a PhD is focused on academia. However, either program can help you meet your career goals.
If you are looking to actively pursue roles in ministry leadership, then our program is for you. You may also be qualified to teach in Christian institutions and help pass your expertise on to the next generation of faith-based leaders.
Inner Navigation
Have questions?
*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.