Practical Theology (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 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses 1 | ||
| PRTH 701 | Ministry Foundations for Practical Theology | 3 |
| PRTH 702 | Philosophical Foundations for Practical Theology | 3 |
| PRTH 815 | Dissertation Concept Development for Practical Theology | 3 |
| RTCH 710 | Teaching Methods | 3 |
| RTCH 805 | Research Methods | 3 |
| THEO 706 | Theological Foundations 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
All Foundation Courses must be completed to be eligible to enroll in Specialized Research or Dissertation Writing and Defense Courses.
- 2
THEO 706 must be taken the first term of the first semester in the program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized Research Courses | ||
| PRTH 845 | Practical Theology Literature Review I | 3 |
| PRTH 846 | Practical Theology Literature Review II | 3 |
| PRTH 847 | Practical Theology Topical Research I | 3 |
| PRTH 848 | Practical Theology Topical Research II | 3 |
| PRTH 849 | Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation I | 3 |
| PRTH 850 | Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation II 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
PRTH 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation Writing and Defense Courses | ||
| PRTH 987 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology I | 5 |
| PRTH 988 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology II | 5 |
| PRTH 989 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology III 1 | 5 |
| PRTH 990 | Dissertation Defense for Practical Theology 2 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
PRTH 989 may be repeated up to four times.
- 2
PRTH 990 may not be 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 Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| RTCH 805 | Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| THEO 706 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PRTH 701 | Ministry Foundations for Practical Theology | 3 |
| PRTH 702 | Philosophical Foundations for Practical Theology | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| RTCH 710 | Teaching Methods | 3 |
| PRTH 815 | Dissertation Concept Development for Practical Theology | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PRTH 845 | Practical Theology Literature Review I | 3 |
| PRTH 846 | Practical Theology Literature Review II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| PRTH 847 | Practical Theology Topical Research I | 3 |
| PRTH 848 | Practical Theology Topical Research II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| PRTH 849 | Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation I | 3 |
| PRTH 850 | Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| PRTH 987 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology I | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| PRTH 988 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology II | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Ninth Semester | ||
| PRTH 989 | Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology III 2 | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Tenth Semester | ||
| PRTH 990 | Dissertation Defense for Practical Theology | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |