A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in theology covers advanced topics in theological doctrines, ethics, religious history, sacred texts and the issues of politics and religion. The degree is common for those who want to become pastors, religious counselors, church administrators or university professors, and one usually pursues the degree after earning a master's degree in a related field. If one wants a more convenient way to earn a doctorate, he or she can pursue a theology PhD online and make only a limited number of trips to a physical campus. Deciding on a concentration, reviewing a school's admissions requirements and learning about program requirements are all helpful tips to successfully earn a theology PhD online.
When choosing to earn a theology PhD online, one should decide what kind of concentration to pursue. Although most doctoral programs in theology include some mandatory courses, much of the program consists of electives associated with one's interests, especially if the program has no specialization. Other programs center their classes on specializations, including counseling, church history, ethics, Bible studies, culture and philosophy. If one has already earned a master's degree in one of these concentrations, some programs even let the master's degree credits to waive some of the PhD's required courses.
It's also important to research each potential school's admissions requirements before applying. Common requirements include a master's degree with a thesis or a master's degree in divinity, graduate entrance exams, professional and pastoral recommendations, a resume and a significant writing sample. Some schools are less strict than others and may allow master's degrees that don't focus on theology or religion, but one also has the option of earning a second master's degree and applying for a theology PhD afterward.
If a student works and plans to complete a theology PhD online on a part-time basis, then it's important to check with the school to find out its maximum degree completion time frame. Some schools require students to complete a certain number of courses each year and may require that they complete the degree in five to seven years. One also should find out any residency requirements, because many programs require physical visits to a campus to take certain courses and examinations. After completing a thesis, the student usually has to give an oral defense in person. Residency requirements can become a problem if the program requires multiple visits that conflict with one's work schedule, so it's important to get all the details before signing up for a theology PhD online.
