EdD in Christian Leadership – Christian Ministry Degree Elevate your Ministry
Prepare for Ministry in the Local Church and Beyond with Liberty’s EdD in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry Degree
Are you passionate about leading ministry efforts in your church or community? Do you want to hone your skills as a Christian school educator or administrator, church ministerial staff member, or parachurch organization leader? If so, conferring Liberty’s 100% online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry degree may be for you!
This doctoral program is designed to help you address various educational and ministerial challenges using empirical research. Throughout your courses, you can develop the knowledge, character qualities, and skills to leading a faith-based organization. Additionally, you’ll be challenged to synthesize teaching, learning, and group theory to foster effective leadership. The strategic Christian ministry specialization can help equip you to carry out ministry efforts that promote spiritual growth and discipleship.
Churches and organizations around the world need strong ministry leaders who can effectively serve believers and non-believers alike. By pursuing a Christian leadership – online Christian ministry degree at Liberty University, you can become equipped to make a difference in your community and beyond.
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
What Sets Us Apart?
- 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
Why Choose Liberty’s EdD in Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry Degree?
Liberty has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to Training Champions for Christ has not. We’ve designed our doctorate in Christian leadership – strategic Christian ministry degree to provide you with maximum flexibility and accessibility. At Liberty, you can earn a degree of the highest quality without compromising your morals.
Here are just some of the benefits of choosing Liberty’s Christian leadership degree in ministry:
- Accreditation | Our John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Additionally, unlike many online Bible colleges and seminaries, Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Our programs have met rigorous academic standards and accreditation requirements — so you can pursue your degree with confidence.
- Flexible Courses | This doctoral degree in Christian ministry is offered 100% online with no set login times. At Liberty, you can earn your degree from the comfort of home and easily access your course materials whenever you need them, so you won’t have to relocate or take time off from work to attend on-campus classes. We offer the flexibility you need to stay invested in your family, job, and community while pursuing your academic goals.
- Valuable Mentorship | As a leading academic institution of theological training, Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is uniquely equipped to provide the training you need to explore new career opportunities. Our faculty have years of experience in ministry and academia, and each of them is committed to teaching from a biblical worldview. With their guidance, you can strengthen your leadership skills and prepare to serve with integrity in your career.
Get the Tools You Need for Ministry Success – Included with Your Program
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.
What Will You Study in Our Doctoral Degree in Christian Ministry?
This online degree in Christian ministry is broken down into 3 sections: core Christian leadership courses, the strategic Christian ministry specialization, and praxis courses. Throughout the program, you can gain a deeper understanding of how biblical and theological principles relate to education and leadership philosophy, theory, and practice.
Our core Christian leadership courses cover topics like the biblical and theological foundations of education and leadership, leadership and management theory, and organizational theory and development. You’ll also study group and team dynamics, theological anthropology, and the importance of character and ethics in leadership and education.
The strategic Christian ministry specialization can help equip you to lead strategic initiatives that address challenges in churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations. With this knowledge, you can foster discipleship and growth in your congregation and community. Additionally, you can learn how to:
- Create a strategic plan for helping a ministry or church become more rooted in a biblical foundation.
- Develop a ministry philosophy that reflects biblical principles.
- Evaluate the health of a church or ministry.
- Identify the essential marks of a biblical disciple.
- Leverage the dynamics of innovative change, conflict resolution, and empirical principles to strengthen faith-based organizations.
- Utilize new technologies, creative methods, and strategic initiatives to help move a church or organization forward.
Lastly, you’ll complete a praxis sequence that allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a real-world scenario. That way, you can be better prepared to face challenges in the field of education upon graduation.
Potential Career Opportunities
Featured Courses
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Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
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.
| 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.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online Degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership
Admission Requirements
Preliminary Acceptance
Transcript Policies
Admissions Office Contact Information
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Online EdD In Christian Leadership – Strategic Christian Ministry
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Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
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