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 |
---|---|---|
Program Courses | ||
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 |
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 3 | 3 |
Dissertation Writing & 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 4 | 5 |
PRTH 990 | Dissertation Defense for Practical Theology 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
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
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 |