At Columbia International University, our PhD (Practical Theology) program is designed specifically for individuals like you who have a passion for teaching in postsecondary theological higher education. If you are seeking an academic/philosophical doctoral program that equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in scholarly research and writing and make a meaningful contribution to the field of Theological Studies, our PhD (Practical Theology) program is designed to help you reach your goal.
You will engage in rigorous academic study explores the profound truths of Scripture, with a focus on the functional authority of Scripture.
You will develop advanced research and writing skills that allow you to contribute significantly to the field of Practical Theology.
You will gain valuable skills in presenting your scholarly work in a professional, organized, coherent and structured manner, both in written and oral form.
You will engage in a supervisory relationship with an experienced faculty mentor, who will help you navigate the responsibilities of your academic pursuits while embracing spiritual growth and exemplifying Christian character.
Throughout your journey in Columbia International University’s online PhD (Practical Theology) program, you will receive excellent academic instruction, intentional professional mentoring, and consistent academic support. You will develop the advanced research and writing skills necessary to make a scholarly contribution to the field of Practical Theology. You will present your research findings in a professional and compelling manner. You will embrace the transformative journey of intellectual growth while embodying the principles of Victorious Christian Living. You will prepare to become a well-rounded scholar and educator, equipped to make a lasting impact in postsecondary theological higher education both nationally and internationally.
Practical Theology is one of three concentrations within the PhD degree. Within the Practical Theology concentration, you may pursue a wide variety of research topics. You might wish to consider a topic in an area such Chaplaincy, Homiletics, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Theology, or Moral Theology. If you have questions about how your anticipated topic might fit into the concentration, contact the program director for guidance. Note: In February 2022 the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a three-year experiment to offer a non-residential PhD degree as an exception to Standard 5.15, through a combination of online courses (synchronous and asynchronous) and one-on-one faculty mentoring sessions.
Online
January 13, 2025
45
Seminary & School of Ministry
ATS, ABHE, SACSCOC
Campus Program Courses
Online Program Courses
Admission Requirements
Cost & Aid
Through rigorous research and academic exploration, you will gain a thorough understanding of your topic, contemporary issues in practical theology, and the methods scholars use in your chosen discipline.
An experienced faculty mentor who is a renowned scholar in his or her respective fields will provide personalized attention and expert advice as you navigate your research journey and develop your scholarly voice.
Our curriculum includes pedagogical training, enabling you to teach and mentor future generations of students effectively in theological institutions both inside and outside the United States.
In addition to the undergraduate core and other related courses, here is a glimpse at a few of the courses you will be taking in this program.
For a full list of courses related to this program, visit the Academic Catalog at one of the options below:
You will survey significant contemporary issues in Historical Theology or Systematic Theology and review key methods used in theological study. You will then identify an issue and a method related to the area of your proposed dissertation topic and will explore each in depth.
You will review biblical perspectives on teaching and learning, survey principles of adult education, and explore best practices of course design and development. You will learn how to design lessons and courses that go beyond the communication of content to the facilitation of learning and will apply those skills to the creation of a course related to the area of your proposed dissertation topic.
You will engage in guided practice of bibliographic (text-based) research that will prepare you to write a doctoral dissertation in Theological Studies. You will learn to craft a research problem, identify appropriate research methods, locate, evaluate, and document scholarly sources, structure argumentation, and write at the doctoral level. Building upon those skills, you will write a dissertation proposal that must be approved by the Dissertation Proposal Committee before you begin the dissertation research courses.
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