Practical Theology (Ph.D.)

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.

Program Courses
Foundation Courses 1
PRTH 701Ministry Foundations for Practical Theology3
PRTH 702Philosophical Foundations for Practical Theology3
PRTH 815Dissertation Concept Development for Practical Theology3
RTCH 710Teaching Methods3
RTCH 805Research Methods3
THEO 706Theological Foundations 23
Specialized Research Courses
PRTH 845Practical Theology Literature Review I3
PRTH 846Practical Theology Literature Review II3
PRTH 847Practical Theology Topical Research I3
PRTH 848Practical Theology Topical Research II3
PRTH 849Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation I3
PRTH 850Practical Theology Dissertation Presentation II 33
Dissertation Writing & Defense Courses
PRTH 987Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology I5
PRTH 988Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology II5
PRTH 989Dissertation Writing in Practical Theology III 45
PRTH 990Dissertation Defense for Practical Theology 50
Total Hours51
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.

3

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. 

4

PRTH 989 may be repeated up to four times.

5

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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterHours
RTCH 805 Research Methods 1 3
THEO 706 Theological Foundations 3
 Hours6
Second Semester
APOL 701 Ministry Foundations for Applied Apologetics 3
APOL 702 Philosophical Foundations for Applied Apologetics 3
 Hours6
Second Year
Third Semester
APOL 815 Dissertation Concept Development for Applied Apologetics 3
RTCH 710 Teaching Methods 3
 Hours6
Fourth Semester
APOL 845 Applied Apologetics Literature Review I 3
APOL 846 Applied Apologetics Literature Review II 3
 Hours6
Third Year
Fifth Semester
APOL 847 Applied Apologetics Topical Research I 3
APOL 848 Applied Apologetics Topical Research II 3
 Hours6
Sixth Semester
APOL 849 Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation I 3
APOL 850 Applied Apologetics Dissertation Presentation II 3
 Hours6
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester
APOL 987 Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics I 5
 Hours5
Eighth Semester
APOL 988 Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics II 5
 Hours5
Fifth Year
Ninth Semester
APOL 989 Dissertation Writing in Applied Apologetics III 2 5
 Hours5
Tenth Semester
APOL 990 Dissertation Defense for Applied Apologetics 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours51
1

RTCH 805 must be taken the first term of the first semester in the program.

2

APOL 989 may be repeated up to four times.

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