Online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) | Theology and Apologetics

Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Prepare to Defend Your Faith with Liberty’s Online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Degree in Theology and Apologetics

If you are passionate about defending the truth of Scripture with grace and humility, our 100% online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Theology and Apologetics degree can help equip you with skills useful in the defense of Christianity. Our DMin in Theology and Apologetics degree can teach you advanced cultural engagement skills, so you can practically apply the theoretical knowledge you gain. At Liberty, we have a vested interest in your success. Partner with us and broaden the impact of your apologetics ministry.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Theology and Apologetics.

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.

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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 Online DMin Program in Theology and Apologetics?

Liberty University is a renowned institution of higher education, well known as one of the largest Christian universities in the world. As a nonprofit university, we offer a highly competitive tuition rate to make our programs as affordable as possible. While other universities are increasing their tuition, we want to equip ministry workers without weighing them down. Our DMin program has a block rate of just $2,850 a semester for students taking 7 to 15 credits. If you are planning to take less than 7 credits, you will still receive a discounted rate of just $410 per credit hour!

What Will You Study in Our Online Doctor of Ministry in Theology and Apologetics Degree Program?

Our DMin in Apologetics and Theology degree online can provide you with an advanced study of the history and defense of the Christian faith. In our DMin in Theology and Apologetics degree program, you will embark on a deep-diving journey through the Old and New Testaments. Our courses in spiritual formation and theology can also strengthen your understanding of the Christian faith. Lastly, our doctoral degree in theology and apologetics can help you develop skills in doctoral-level research and writing, theological methodology, and bibliography – all vital elements of accurate and useful scholarship.

In addition, this degree has a practical emphasis — meaning that the training you receive through our DMin program is designed to help you pursue advanced ministry leadership positions. Whether you want to start your own ministry, work in church administration, or serve as a senior pastor of a church, the DMin in Theology and Apologetics’ courses include valuable knowledge that you can use to take your career as a Christian apologist to the next level.

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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.

Doctoral Divinity Block Rate (7-15 credit hours)	$2,850
Doctoral Divinity Part Time (1-6.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$410/Credit
Military Doctoral Divinity Block Rate (7-15 credit hours)	$2,800
Military Doctoral Divinity Part Time (1-6.99 or over 15 credit hours)*	$375/Credit

*Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).

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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Admission Information for Our Online DMin in Theology and Apologetics Degree Program

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 related to the student’s ministry setting or vocational calling with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Previous education should also show at least 18 hours of graduate-level Bible/Theology or ministry-related courses – but these hours do not have to be part of the conferred master’s degree.
The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity requires you to submit a Professional Vita showing:
- Significant ministry experience consistent with the mission of Liberty University
- Experience must be pastoral in nature (pastor, assistant pastor, youth pastor, missionary, etc.) and must be connected to a church body
Statement of Purpose Please submit a 300-word minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- Your vocational or ministry calling
- Your vocational or ministry goals
- A key ministry problem you feel needs to be addressed in today’s culture, which is appropriate to an advanced professional study
An Ecclesiastical endorsement indicating the agreement of the church (or employing organization) with your participation in the Doctor of Ministry program.
- This is not a recommendation letter from a pastor telling us that they personally recommend the student. This is an endorsement from the church body for someone who will likely do an internship with them at the end of their program.
- Some examples of language within the Ecclesiastical Endorsement that would be acceptable include:
  - We Endorse/We Support/We recommend
  - This is an Ecclesiastical Endorsement
  - I recommend on behalf of the church/board of deacons/church staff
- The endorsement letter must be signed with pen (no typed signatures allowed) and can be faxed, mailed, or scanned and emailed as an attachment.
Submit the School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent for admission review by the department. This review can take 1-2 full business days for review (24-48 hours).
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:

Discounted divinity block rate – $2,800 per semester*
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)

*Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate of $375/credit hour.

Eligible current and former service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more), but the $375/credit hour doctoral military rate cannot be combined with the First Responder Discount.

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.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Liberty accredited?

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.

Is a DMin the same as a PhD?

A DMin degree and a PhD are 2 different degrees with different emphases.

Maybe you’re interested in an online divinity degree, but you’re not sure whether you should choose a DMin or a PhD. When making your choice, you should consider the emphasis of the 2 degrees. PhD programs are more theoretical in nature than DMin programs. PhD students tend to pursue academic careers in teaching or research while many DMin students pursue real-world ministry positions upon graduation.

If you’re interested in teaching at a Bible college, you may find our PhD in Bible Exposition more attractive. On the other hand, if you’d like to use your degree to work in church leadership or youth ministry, our DMin in Theology and Apologetics may be the best fit for you.

What are the benefits of Liberty’s online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Degree?

Unlike many online Bible colleges and seminaries, Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Completing our online Doctor of Ministry program gives you a practice-focused degree that emphasizes solving real-world ministry problems with advanced practice and research.
The online DMin degree’s variety of specializations allows you to focus directly on issues relating to your ministry, and the thesis provides an opportunity to dig into research under the mentorship of Liberty’s Christian scholars to better equip you for your ministry.
You will choose to complete either an integrated thesis or a portfolio project that will challenge you to demonstrate your expertise and ability to apply advanced theology and Christian scholarship to practical ministry problems.

Are you ready to change your future?

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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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Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics and Theology Defend Scripture

Prepare to Defend Your Faith with Liberty’s Online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Degree in Theology and Apologetics

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online DMin Program in Theology and Apologetics?

What Will You Study in Our Online Doctor of Ministry in Theology and Apologetics Degree Program?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Online DMin in Theology and Apologetics Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Liberty accredited?

Is a DMin the same as a PhD?

What are the benefits of Liberty’s online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Degree?

Are you ready to change your future?

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