Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2023 through summer 2024. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Language Competency
German Examination
Total Hours		0

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Ph.D. Core Courses
RTCH 900	Research Methods	3
RTCH 901	Teaching in Higher Education	3
Total Hours		6

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Theological Studies Courses
APOL 920	Resurrection and Miracles	3
THEO 900	Seminar in Theological Method	3
THEO 903	Historical Development of Christian Thought	3
THEO 945	Seminar in Modern Theologies and Theologians	3
Total Hours		12

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Major Area of Focus Courses
Choose 15 credit hours from a single area of focus:		15
Apologetics
APOL 910	Apologetic Method
APOL 930	The Problem of Evil, Pain and Suffering
APOL 935	Apologetics and Culture
APOL 940	Modern Apologetic Issues
APOL 997	Seminar in Apologetics
THEO 915	Natural Theology
Biblical Theology
BIBL 910	Old Testament Theology
BIBL 915	New Testament Theology
BIBL 925	Theology of the Gospel
BIBL 968	Current Biblical and Theological Issues
BIBL 996	Special Topics in Biblical Theology
BIBL 997	Seminar in Biblical Theology
Christian Thought
THEO 901	Contemporary Issues in the Doctrine of God
THEO 904	Bibliology
THEO 905	Christology in Contemporary Theological Perspective
THEO 915	Natural Theology
THEO 968	Current Issues in Theology
THEO 997	Seminar in Theological Studies
Public Theology
APOL 935	Apologetics and Culture
BIBL 925	Theology of the Gospel
THEO 935	Christianity and Politics
THEO 950	Approaches to Public Theology
THEO 960	Christian Ethics
THEO 968	Current Issues in Theology
Total Hours		15

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Minor Area of Focus Courses
Choose 9 credit hours from one of the Areas of Focus listed in the Major Area of Focus section which is different from the chosen Major Area of Focus.
Elective		3
Elective		3
Elective		3
Total Hours		9

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Comprehensive Examination		0
Total Hours		0

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Dissertation Courses 1
DISS 987	Dissertation Proposal and Research I	5
DISS 988	Dissertation Proposal and Research II	5
DISS 989	Dissertation Proposal and Research III	5
DISS 990	Dissertation Defense	0
Total Hours		15

¹

Once the student enters the Dissertation phase, he/she must maintain continuous enrollment (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters) until all degree requirements are completed

All applicable prerequisites must be met

Graduation Requirements

• 57 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 B- may be applied to the degree
• Successful completion of the Research Language Competencies
• Successful completion of Comprehensive Exams
• 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 Resident Format

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Hours
RTCH 900	Research Methods	3
THEO 903	Historical Development of Christian Thought	3
	Hours	6
Second Semester
RTCH 901	Teaching in Higher Education	3
Major Area of Focus Elective 1		3
	Hours	6
Third Semester
APOL 920	Resurrection and Miracles	3
Major Area of Focus Elective 1		3
	Hours	6
Fourth Semester
THEO 900	Seminar in Theological Method	3
Major Area of Focus Elective 1		3
	Hours	6
Fifth Semester
Major Area of Focus Elective 1		3
Minor Area of Focus Elective 2		3
	Hours	6
Sixth Semester
Major Area of Focus Elective 1		3
Minor Area of Focus Elective 2		3
	Hours	6
Seventh Semester
THEO 945	Seminar in Modern Theologies and Theologians	3
Minor Area of Focus Elective 2		3
	Hours	6
Eighth Semester
DISS 987	Dissertation Proposal and Research I	5
	Hours	5
Ninth Semester
DISS 988	Dissertation Proposal and Research II	5
	Hours	5
Tenth Semester
DISS 989	Dissertation Proposal and Research III	5
	Hours	5
Eleventh Semester
DISS 990	Dissertation Defense	0
	Hours	0
	Total Hours	57

¹

See Degree Completion Plan for Major Area of Focus courses.

²

See Degree Completion Plan for Minor Area of Focus courses. Must be different from Major Area of Focus.