Applied Apologetics (Ph.D.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| Foundation Courses 1 | ||
| APOL 701 | Ministry Foundations for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| APOL 702 | Philosophical Foundations for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| APOL 815 | Dissertation Concept Development for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| RTCH 710 | Teaching Methods | 3 |
| RTCH 805 | Research Methods 2 | 3 |
| THEO 706 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| Specialized Research Courses | ||
| APOL 845 | Applied Apologetics Literature Review I | 3 |
| APOL 846 | Applied Apologetics Literature Review II | 3 |
| APOL 847 | Applied Apologetics Topical Research I | 3 |
| APOL 848 | Applied Apologetics Topical Research II | 3 |
| APOL 849 | Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation I | 3 |
| APOL 850 | Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation II 3 | 3 |
| Dissertation Writing and Defense Courses | ||
| APOL 987 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics I | 5 |
| APOL 988 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics II | 5 |
| APOL 989 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics III 4 | 5 |
| APOL 990 | Dissertation Defense for Applied Apologetics 5 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- 1
All Foundation Courses must be completed to be eligible to enroll in Specialized Research or Dissertation Writing and Defense Courses.
- 2
RTCH 805 must be taken the first term of the first semester in the program.
- 3
APOL 850 must be passed prior to enrollment in Dissertation Writing and Defense Courses. A Faculty Dissertation Supervisor will be paired with the PhD candidate for the Dissertation and Defense courses.
- 4
APOL 989 may be repeated up to four times.
- 5
APOL 990 may not registered for without the Dissertation Supervisor’s written authorization.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- 51 total hours
- A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
- Degree must be completed within 7 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student's anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| RTCH 805 | Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| THEO 706 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| APOL 701 | Ministry Foundations for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| APOL 702 | Philosophical Foundations for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| APOL 815 | Dissertation Concept Development for Applied Apologetics | 3 |
| RTCH 710 | Teaching Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| APOL 845 | Applied Apologetics Literature Review I | 3 |
| APOL 846 | Applied Apologetics Literature Review II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fifth Semester | ||
| APOL 847 | Applied Apologetics Topical Research I | 3 |
| APOL 848 | Applied Apologetics Topical Research II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| APOL 849 | Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation I | 3 |
| APOL 850 | Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Seventh Semester | ||
| APOL 987 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics I | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| APOL 988 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics II | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Ninth Semester | ||
| APOL 989 | Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics III 2 | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Tenth Semester | ||
| APOL 990 | Dissertation Defense for Applied Apologetics | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |