Degree Title: Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.Th.D.)
Program Duration: 3-5 years (Full-time)
Program Overview:
This advanced doctoral program in Sacred Theology offers an intensive and interdisciplinary approach to theological studies, emphasizing liturgy, sacraments, and ecclesiology. Designed for scholars, clergy, and educators, it integrates academic rigor with practical application, fostering deep intellectual engagement and spiritual growth.
Program Milestones:
- Year 1: Complete core courses; begin dissertation proposal.
- Year 2: Complete electives; advance dissertation research.
- Year 3: Complete dissertation and defend; complete teaching practicum.
Admission Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Theology or related field.
- Writing sample and research proposal.
- Verifiable ministry or teaching experience preferred.
Graduation Requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
- Successful defense of the dissertation.
- Completion of 400 verified teaching hours.
Program Structure:
Total Credit Hours: 60 (excluding dissertation and teaching)
Core Modules (36 Credit Hours)
Advanced Theological Studies (9 credits)
- Systematic Theology and Contemporary Issues
- Comparative Theologies: Global Perspectives
- Theology of Liberation and Social Justice
Liturgy and Worship (9 credits)
- Advanced Liturgical Theology
- Liturgical Practices in Diverse Contexts
- Theology of the Church Calendar and Liturgical Year
Sacramental Theology (9 credits)
- Sacramental Theology: Historical and Systematic Perspectives
- Comparative Sacramentality in Christian Traditions
- Praxis of the Sacraments
Ecclesiology (9 credits)
- Foundations of Ecclesiology
- Modern Ecclesial Movements and Reformation Studies
- Governance and Polity in Ecclesial Communities
Elective Modules (12 Credit Hours)
Students can choose from specialized electives in:
- Patristic Theology
- Pentecostal-Charismatic Sacramentalism
- Black Liberation Theology
- Contemporary Ethical Issues in the Church
- Practical Pastoral Theology
Dissertation (30,000-word Research Project – 12 Credit Hours)
Dissertation Requirements:
- Original research contributing to the field of Sacred Theology.
- Defended before a committee of three faculty members.
- Must demonstrate rigorous scholarly methodology and alignment with ecclesiastical concerns.
Graduate-Level Teaching Practicum (400 Hours)
Practicum Overview:
- Teach or assist in approved graduate-level online courses.
- Must include lesson planning, online facilitation, and assessment.
- Supervisory evaluation is required, with regular feedback from faculty mentors.
Goal: Develop pedagogical skills and apply theological knowledge in a teaching context.