Theological Studies (Ph.D.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Language Competency | ||
| German Examination | ||
| Total Hours | 0 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. Core Courses | ||
| RTCH 900 | Research Methods | 3 |
| RTCH 901 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 |
| THEO 900 | Seminar in Theological Method | 3 |
| THEO 903 | Historical Development of Christian Thought | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Area of Focus Courses | ||
| Choose 15 credit hours from a single area of focus. Students must also complete a directed research and comprehensive examination for their Major Area of Focus. Please refer to Comprehensive Examinations section. | 15 | |
| Apologetics | ||
| Resurrection and Miracles | ||
| The Problem of Evil, Pain and Suffering | ||
| Apologetics and Culture | ||
| Modern Apologetic Issues | ||
| Global Apologetics | ||
| Seminar in Apologetics | ||
| Natural Theology | ||
| Biblical Theology | ||
| Old Testament Theology | ||
| New Testament Theology | ||
| Theology of the Gospel | ||
| Current Biblical and Theological Issues | ||
| Special Topics in Biblical Theology | ||
| Seminar in Biblical Theology | ||
| Christian Thought | ||
| Contemporary Issues in the Doctrine of God | ||
| Bibliology | ||
| Christology in Contemporary Theological Perspective | ||
| Seminar in Modern Theologies and Theologians | ||
| Current Issues in Theology | ||
| Seminar in Theological Studies | ||
| Public Theology | ||
| Apologetics and Culture | ||
| Theology of the Gospel | ||
| Christianity and Politics | ||
| Approaches to Public Theology | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
| Current Issues in Theology | ||
| Seminar in Theological Studies | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 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. Students must also complete a readings and comprehensive examination for their Minor Area of Focus. Please refer to Comprehensive Examinations section. | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Examinations | ||
| Students must complete a research and comprehensive examination course based on their chosen Major Area of Focus 1 | 3 | |
| Apologetics | ||
| Readings in Apologetics and Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Biblical Theology | ||
| Readings in Biblical Theology and Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Christian Thought | ||
| Readings in Christian Thought and Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Public Theology | ||
| Readings in Public Theology and Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Students must complete a research and comprehensive examination course based on their chosen Minor Area of Focus 2 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Once the student completes 15 hours of the Major Area of Focus, they can be registered for the Major Area of Focus Directed Research and Comprehensive Examination
- 2
Once the student completes 9 hours of the Minor Area of Focus, they can be registered for the Minor Area of Focus Directed Research and Comprehensive Examination
| 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
| 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.