Purpose

The Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies program prepares professional scholars and Christian community leaders at the highest level of scholarship. Trained by a qualified academic faculty, graduates from the program will be prepared to serve as faculty in academic institutions and as scholars and theologically and biblically informed leaders for the church and community.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Design an original research project that adds to the knowledge base of the discipline.
• Construct a theological argument from an evangelical perspective informed by interactions with other theological traditions.
• Apply current methods of theological studies.

Program Specific Admissions Requirements

In addition to general requirements for admission to the School of Divinity, applicants for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies must submit the following for review:

1. An earned Master of Divinity or a Master of Theology with a thesis or a Master of Arts with a thesis in a related field.
2. An earned grade point average of 3.0 on a scale 4.00 in all previous graduate work.
3. A writing sample that must meet the following criteria: A 10-12 page paper (excluding cover page, table of contents and bibliography).
4. A Statement of Purpose and a Doctrinal Questionnaire following the provided template.
   1. At least 300 words on why you are pursuing this degree
   2. Completed Doctrinal Questionnaire
5. Pastoral Recommender Contact Information.
6. Contact Information from Two Academic Recommenders. All applicants must submit contact information from two professors with whom they studied at the graduate (master’s degree) level.
7. Professional vita including degrees earned, ministry experience, and/or teaching experience and career goals.
8. Approval from the School of Divinity.

The applicant must understand that before that before registering for dissertation research, the end of the second year of admission, the student must pass a proficiency exam in German. Admissions for the Fall semester are due by May 1; for the Spring semester are due by October 1; for Summer semester are due by February 1.

Transfer Credit

Transfer hours may not exceed 27 credit hours for the Ph.D. program. Transfer credits are considered on a case-by-case basis and must have been completed as Ph.D. course work within the previous seven (7) years from a regionally accredited program to be accepted. Courses must have a grade of B- or higher to be eligible for consideration for transfer credit. Correspondence studies or life experiences will not be accepted for transfer credit. Credits from a prior degree earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

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Delivery Format: Residential Only

• Senior Pastor
• Ministry Director
• University Professor
• Professional Christian Scholar
• University or K-12 School Administrator