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- DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY   -


The Doctor of Theology is a terminal degree. It represents the very highest academic achievement one can earn through the educational system. This degree is academically oriented. Ministry-minded individuals without an academic lean should pursue the Doctor of Ministry. 

Prerequisites 

The Doctor of Theology program requires that the student has at least a master’s degree in a field related to theology, religion, ministry, etc. A student’s master’s degree must consist of least 64 credits.  

For students with a Master’s degree consisting of less than 64 credits

If a student has a master’s degree that is less than 64 credits, the student must complete 16 deficit credits as the first part of his or her doctoral program. This is in addition to the credits required for the doctoral degree.  
 
A student may use full-time ministry experience to satisfy the 16 deficit credits. A student may receive three credits for each year of full-time ministry, up to the 16 credits required for the certificate. The student must submit a ministry portfolio for evaluation and pay for those credits at 60% of normal tuition rates. 
 
Part-time ministry experience will be prorated according to the time spent per week in ministry. For example, a student who has part-time ministry experience at 10 hour per week would need four years of part-time experience to earn 3 years of ministry credit. 
 
Ministry experience may only be applied toward deficit credits. Ministry experience credits are never refundable. Ministry experience credits are paid for at time of enrollment in addition to the enrollment payment.

Credit Transfer

A maximum of 18 credits may be transferred into the Doctor of Theology program. Transfer credits must have a letter grade of no less than "C-" to be acceptable, and they must not have been used for a degree elsewhere. ​

Doctor of Theology Requirements for Graduation 

The Doctor of Theology requires completion of 42 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.67.  
 
Most classes are four credits (some are three where noted)

Apologetics 

​WP-700 CES Writing Protocols BI-721 Ancient Near Eastern Thought I (3 credits) BI-722 Ancient Near Eastern Thought II (3 credits) 6 classes in apologetics AP-890 doctoral dissertation (must be the final class, counts for 8 credits).

Biblical Languages

WP-700 CES Writing Protocols BI-721 Ancient Near Eastern Thought I (3 credits) BI-722 Ancient Near Eastern Thought II (3 credits) 6 classes in biblical languages BL-890 doctoral dissertation (must be the final class, counts for 8 credits.

Biblical Studies 

WP-700 CES Writing Protocols BI-721 Ancient Near Eastern Thought I (3 credits) BI-722 Ancient Near Eastern Thought II (3 credits) 6 additional classes in biblical studies BI-890 doctoral dissertation (must be the final class, counts for 8 credits).

Religion 

WP-700 CES Writing Protocols BI-721 Ancient Near Eastern Thought I (3 credits) BI-722 Ancient Near Eastern Thought II (3 credits) 6 classes in religion RL-890 doctoral dissertation (must be the final class, counts for 8 credits).

Theology 

WP-700 CES Writing Protocols TH-721 Ancient Near Eastern Thought I (3 credits) TH-722 Ancient Near Eastern Thought II (3 credits) 6 classes in theology TH-890 doctoral dissertation (must be the final class, counts for 8 credits). 

Minimum Reading Requirements for a Doctoral Degree: 

​ 1,400 pages per class 

Minimum Writing Requirements for a Doctoral Degree: 

17 to 20-page term paper (per class), 15+ sources  

Converting Audio/Video Listening into Reading Requirements:

​Many students use audio resources, such as online lectures or conferences, in their classes. There are many acceptable academic lectures that students may use as part of their minimum reading requirements. CES has established this chart of conversion:   Doctoral: 1 hour of listening = 20 pages of reading.
 
Doctoral Dissertation: 30,000 to 60,00 words (120 to 240 pages) 50+ sources cited   
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