Doctor of Pastoral Theology

What Will I Study?

The Doctor of Pastoral Theology Degree is designed for pastors with a minimum of two years of pastoral experience and who hold the Master of Arts degree in a field of ministry training. This program especially seeks to accommodate those whose ministry responsibilities make participation in a regular seminary residence program unlikely.

The degree requires 60 hours beyond the Master of Arts degree and includes 3 hours of credit for the writing of a minimum 100-page dissertation on a topic preapproved by the Dean of the Seminary. This topic must treat some facet of ministry philosophy or practice.

A minimum of 24 hours must be completed in residence by taking courses offered in a two-week modular format in January and July each year. Additional courses may be completed following this schedule, which begins a new cycle of courses every four years. Other regular residence courses may be allowed for this doctoral program with the prior approval of the Dean of the Seminary. Up to 33 hours of credit by video/satellite instruction from BJU's Office of Extended Education may be applied with the prior approval of the Dean of the Seminary or through the Seminary's Institute for Holy Land Studies.