Doctorate in Theology

When looking into different doctorate programs, it's important to be sure you can meet all of the requirements prior to applying. To be admitted into a doctoral program in theology, most schools and seminaries require that you complete and submit the following:

• Program application
• Letter of intent
• Letters of recommendation
• Post-secondary school transcripts

Some schools may also request your GRE scores, professional resume, or an interview to determine if you're a good fit for their theology program. Additionally, if applying to a seminary or religious-affiliated school, admissions may require your Christian-ecclesial commitment. This essentially means you must show the school that you are devoted to honoring God and living a faith-filled life.

Most doctoral programs expect prospective students to have earned a master's degree in theology or a similar concentration. Some programs may require proficiency or prior study in a foreign language such as German, French, Greek, Hebrew, or Latin, as well as prior study in philosophy. They will likely also expect you to have experience working in some religious or service-oriented capacity and may ask for a recommendation from a church official with your application.

Most theology doctorate programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This agency is specific to graduate programs related to religious study. It does not approve undergraduate or certificate programs. To be accredited means that the program has been reviewed for competency and effectiveness to best prepare students for theological understanding and a career in the field. A school itself may be accredited by another agency recognized by the US Department of Education (USDOE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), so you may want to research whether the theology program is accredited separately.

Earning a doctorate is no small feat, though it will depend on a school's specific doctorate program to determine how long it will take to complete your degree. A 30-40 credit hour program can take two to three years to complete on average, and longer programs of 60 or more credit hours can take four to five years to complete. The first one to two years in a theology doctorate program will focus on foundational or core classes required for graduation. The second half of a program will continue with some core and concentration classes, but also shift toward research and seminar classes to prepare you for your dissertation. Your dissertation, or research-based capstone project, will take place over the final two or so years of the program.

Theology coursework examines religion and its social, historical, and cultural impact on the world. Many programs will discuss all major religions, religious leadership and missions, philosophy, and anthropology. Doctoral coursework will also include seminar and research courses when starting your dissertation. Typical theology courses include:

• Transformational/Pastoral Leadership
• Contextual Theology
• Religious History
• Missiology (Missions)
• Books of the Bible
• Foreign/Ancient Language(s)

Preparing Your Theology Dissertation

Your dissertation is integral to your success as a doctoral student and is a requirement for graduation. It is a research project that will take at least one year to complete, depending on the length of your doctorate program, but usually requires two or more years of research and preparation to finish. Early on in your studies, you will need to determine a topic of interest or concern related to your concentration. You'll want to ensure that you choose a topic that can be thoroughly researched and encompasses a problem or important subject that you wish to solve or improve upon. Once your topic is approved by the faculty board, you will begin research and meet regularly with professors and research mentors who will help you to develop a research plan. Your research committee will guide you as you work on your dissertation and approve your drafts along the way. Once your dissertation is written, you will need to present and defend your research to your research committee and doctoral faculty.

Concentrations, also known as program tracks, are important when determining your career path after graduation. These classes will focus on a specific point of interest in a theology program. Theology concentrations can focus on religious history, biblical study, morals and ethics, worship, or ministry. Popular concentrations include:

New Testament

This concentration is specific to Christianity, and students will study the New Testament of the Bible and theorize its messages, contextual issues, and history. Classes will focus on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; the life and death of Jesus Christ; missions and miracles; disciples and apostles; and the message of salvation. This concentration might be fitting for someone pursuing a career as a pastor, youth minister, or clergy member.

History of Christianity

This concentration will look at the formation and spread of Christianity throughout the world. Classes will focus on early and modern Christianity, European and North American history and adaptation of Christianity, and history of ministry and worship. You will also gain an understanding of the different sects of Christianity (Catholicism, Lutheranism, Baptist, Methodist, etc.), how/why they were formed, and their global spread. This concentration is suited toward someone interested in the roots of Christian faith who hopes to dig deeper into how history shapes the present understanding of Christianity.

World Religions

If you're interested in religions outside of or in relation to Christianity, this concentration would be beneficial to your theological study. World religion courses will look into Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and other major world religions, typically in comparison to Christianity. A concentration like this will review the historic and cultural implications of religion and how it has shaped the world at large.

If you're just beginning your theological journey, you should explore undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in preparation for a doctoral program down the road. Undergraduate courses will give you a proper introduction to theology and religious studies. Certificates are often a less time-intensive way to learn about theology without committing to the subject long-term. A master's program can help you move into a leadership position within the Church and deepen your understanding of religious theory.

Theology Associate Degrees

An associate degree consists of 60 credit hours, or the equivalent of two years of college courses. In an associate program, you will learn the basics of theology in introduction classes on the Old and New Testament, theology, and Christian doctrine. To earn your degree, you will also be required to take core courses outside of your theology major such as English, math, and science. Out of the 60 credit hours to graduate, only about half will relate to your major. With this degree, you can work in missions or service. Similar degree subjects include biblical studies, religious studies, or theological studies.

Theology Bachelor's Degrees

A bachelor's degree program takes on average four years to complete, with graduates required to take approximately 120 credit hours. As a theology major, you will gain a deeper understanding of religious studies with classes focusing on subjects like historical and biblical theology, scripture study and interpretation, and life history. After your first two years of study, your final two years will completely focus on your major course requirements. This degree can prepare you for graduate studies in theology or starting work in church ministry or administration.

In addition to bachelor's programs in theology, bachelor's programs in ministry are also available . For students interested in off-campus programs, there are also a wide variety of distance learning programs, including online bachelor's degrees in ministry, online bachelor's degrees in youth ministry and online bachelor's degrees in theology

Theology Master's Degrees

After earning a bachelor's degree, you can apply to graduate schools. A master's in theology program can range from 20-60 credit hours with courses like evangelization, moral theology, and Christian challenges. Many programs require students to pick a concentration or specialization; possible areas include biblical studies, church history, and religion and society. A master's program can prepare you for a position of leadership, such as a minster or religious educator, within a church or religious institution. Depending on your career goals, you could research some of the different programs for religious study, such as a Master of Divinity versus a Master of Theology.

Theology Graduate Certificates

If you don't want to commit to a master's program, you can take a couple courses in a specific theology concentration to earn a graduate certificate. These graduate courses could help to elevate your understanding of theology and can pair well with a degree in philosophy or psychology. Depending on the school, you can expect to take between 6 and 18 credit hours to earn your certificate. This can prepare you for work as a missionary or ministry associate. Theology certificate subjects include biblical studies, theological studies, scripture, and spirituality. Most schools allow you to transfer these credits to the school's master's program in theology.

It's important to have a detailed overview of potential careers and education requirements when researching theology doctorate programs. Having an understanding of your career plans will help you to choose the right doctorate program, concentration, and dissertation topic. With a doctorate in theology you can:

Become a Priest/Pastor/Minister

In Catholicism, a priest leads the church congregation. In Protestant churches, this title changes to pastor or minister. In this role, the pastor acts as the leading source of theological insight for a church. In addition to leading weekly sermons, pastors can lead small group Bible studies, act as a counselor for their congregation, perform wedding ceremonies, and lead mission trips. As of June 2021, a pastor can earn an average salary of $50, 117 annually, according to Payscale.

Become a Professor of Religion

If your goal is to teach theology, religious studies, or philosophy at a college or university, you'll want to make sure to pursue a PhD in Theology. With this degree, you can typically earn a tenure-track position teaching at a post-secondary institution or seminary. In this role, you must be dedicated to continued research in the subject, be comfortable with public speaking in smaller and lecture hall classrooms, and be organized in your approach to teaching by making class lesson plans. Professors of religion and philosophy earned $90,160 annually on average as of May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Become a Religious Education Director

A religious education director works in a church or religious school and is the primary organizer of educational events. A person in this position can seek out guest speakers, plan events for children's Bible school, and work with the minister to improve the religious education of children and youth. A religious education director can earn on average $40,031 annually, according to Payscale as of June 2021.

There are some certifications theology graduates may want to obtain for specific jobs. If you plan to work as a priest or minister, it might be a good idea to also become state certified as a wedding officiant. This license typically needs to be renewed every few years. This certification can sometimes be sponsored by your church organization, who may also require a background check, psychological examination, and counseling.

If you want to work in clinical theology, you must become a certified clinical practitioner or educator. In this profession based on a blend of psychology and theology, you would assess the spiritual needs of an individual or group during a crisis and determine a recovery plan. The National Association of Clinical Theology can offer you a Clinical Ecclesiastical Endorsement, Clinical Chaplain License, or Clinical Theology Board Certification. In addition to maintaining membership with the association, you also need to pass examinations or interviews by the board, have a valid license as a deacon or minister, meet a certain amount of credit hours in theological study, continue yearly theological study, and complete a certain amount of clinical professional practice hours.

Professional organizations require a membership to join. An organization can help you make connections with others in your profession. Additionally, theology organizations can offer benefits such as professional workshops or conferences, community service, and scholarly discussion of religion and research.

• American Academy of Religion (AAR)

This association is great for religious educators. AAR focuses on the study and teaching of religion. Members focus on the need to educate and understand complex theological concepts, issues, and questions in order to best serve those in pursuit of religious knowledge. By joining, you will have access to exclusive job boards, training, grant programs, religious publication discounts, and networking opportunities. There are multiple membership levels, ranging from student and professional tiers to a long-term, sustaining membership. Depending on the membership you choose, you can expect to pay a yearly fee between $15 and $1,000.

• Institute for Biblical Research (IBR)

This professional organization is for scholars of theology and biblical studies who are focused on their faith. IBR members can form research groups, receive publication discounts, and obtain a subscription to The Bulletin for Biblical Research. There are four membership levels to choose from. A master's student of biblical study can choose the Student Membership for $42 per year. PhD students can apply for the Associate Membership for the same yearly fee as the student membership, while scholars with a PhD in Biblical Studies or related field can apply for the $62 per year Fellow Membership. The Friend Membership is the final membership level for $62 per year and is specifically intended for those nominated by a Fellow and who is based in a wider theological discipline, such as a philanthropist or publisher.

• North American Patristics Society (NAPS)

This society is for those interested in the ancient and early history of Christianity. NAPS offers educational, job, and grant opportunities, conferences and events, including an annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The society has their own journal, the Journal of Early Christian Studies, and paying for the journal's subscription ($70 or $35 for students) is the only cost of membership.

No theology program is the same, so you'll want to look into an individual school's tuition rates. Some schools have a tuition charge for each semester, regardless of the number of classes you've enrolled in. Other schools have a per-credit tuition charge, which would be more suitable for those taking fewer classes. Public schools are typically cheaper than private, non-profit schools. According to 2018-2019 data from the National Center of Education Statistics, the average graduate tuition for public schools was $12,171 per year, while the average graduate tuition for private, non-profit schools was $27,776.

When looking into doctorate programs, you'll need to make sure to choose a program that is a good fit financially. There are two types of programs you'll find in your research: programs that are fully funded, meaning upon acceptance the school will offer you a tuition and research stipend, or programs that are self-funded, meaning you'll need to pay for your education with your own money or with scholarships or loans. Regardless of the program you move forward with, when applying to schools, you'll need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine which scholarships, grants, and other financial awards you can apply towards tuition. Some great awards for theology doctorate students are:

• The Ernst Scholarship. This $1000-$1500 financial award funded by Rev. Robert Ernst, who has served in Baptist churches in Ohio for more than 50 years, is suited to those pursuing their master's or Doctor of Divinity at an accredited university or seminary. Applicants must be ABC/Ordained pastors of American Baptist Churches in Ohio.
• Presbyterian Study Grant. This award is given to M.Div or MACE students enrolled in ATS-accredited schools and studying theology. To apply, you must submit an application, send in a personal essay and recommendations, and outline your financial need. This grant is restricted to those of Presbyterian faith, and applicants must be full-time graduate students. The financial award will vary for each of the 120 selected students in need, ranging from $1,000-$6,000.
• Fellowships for Doctoral Students of African Descent. To qualify for this award, you must be of African descent working on your PhD or ThD in Religious or Biblical studies. In addition, you must have your dissertation plan approved prior to applying and be a United States or Canadian resident. The amount varies, but you should note that the fellowship money will be used toward funding your dissertation project.