Fully Online PhD in Applied Theology
Pursue the highest level of theological training without leaving your ministry context. Midwestern Seminary’s fully online PhD in Applied Theology equips pastors and ministry leaders for faithful service to the church through rigorous research and practical application.
Vision for the Church
Why a Fully Online PhD?
Midwestern Seminary’s fully online PhD in Applied Theology was developed to expand access to doctoral education for pastors, ministry leaders, and scholars around the world.
Hear from President Jason K. Allen on how this program strengthens the Church by equipping leaders to remain where they serve while pursuing advanced theological study.
Overview
Practical Scholarship for the Church
Midwestern Seminary is offering an online PhD in Applied Theology. This advanced research degree was designed to equip students for teaching, research, and thoughtful ministry leadership. Engage theological questions at the intersection of doctrine, ethics, and ministry practice, without stepping foot on our Kansas City campus.
Through fully online doctoral study, you will develop the ability to think deeply, write clearly, and lead faithfully within your ministry context—no residency required.
Available Residential & Fully Online
52
Credit hours
10
Seminars
4–5
Years to Complete
$3,475
Per semester
Who Should Enroll
Those Rooted in Their Context
This fully online Ph.D. is built for ministry leaders called to deeper theological study and who are rooted in their current ministry context, unable to commute to campus for one-week seminars.
This degree is designed for:
- Pastors seeking theological depth in their preaching and leadership without stepping away from their congregation
- Ministry leaders desiring doctoral preparation that fits the realities of full‑time service
- Educators preparing to teach in colleges or seminaries
- Scholars seeking to contribute to church-centered research from their church
- Missionaries needing accessible, high-quality doctoral education without international travel
PhD in Applied Theology
Fully Online, Fully Invested
How It Works
Two Flexible Formats
The PhD in Applied Theology Standard Program features two seminar delivery formats: standard online and online live.
- Standard online seminars are asynchronous online courses, which means there are no scheduled class times, and online assignments may be completed on the student’s own time before deadlines.
- Online live seminars are synchronous online courses, which means students and professors join a live call at the same time for course lectures and engagement.
Seminars
What You’ll Study
The online PhD in Applied Theology combines rigorous coursework with guided research, culminating in a dissertation that serves the Church and contributes to the broader theological community.
Doctoral Core (16 hrs)
- DR00000 Doctoral Orientation1
- DR30020 Doctoral Studies Colloquium
- DR30060 Integrating Christian Faith and Practice
- DR34080 Teaching Principles and Methods in Higher Education
- DR30090 Dissertation Seminar
Standard Program Emphasis (24 hrs total)
- Standard Program Emphasis (20 hrs)
- Elective (4 hrs)
Comprehensive Examinations (4 hrs total)
- DR39055 Ph.D. Comprehensive Research
- DR39060 Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam
Dissertation2 (8 hrs total)
- DR40980 Ph.D. Ongoing Research (1–8 hrs)
- DR40990 Dissertation – Ph.D. (0–8 hrs)
Total Credit Hours (52 hrs)
1 Upon admission, the student will be enrolled in DR00000, Doctoral Orientation, for 0 credit hours.
2 After meeting all the requirements, the student will be enrolled in DR40980 PhD Dissertation – Ongoing Research for 2 credit hours each semester until the dissertation is completed. When the student is ready for the dissertation defense, the student will be enrolled in DR40990 PhD Dissertation for the remaining hours in order to receive a total of 8 credit hours.
Standard Program Emphasis (24 HRS)
Standard Program Emphasis (20 Hours)
- DR37337 Ecclesiology (4 hrs)
- DR37350 New Testament Theology (4 hrs)
- DR37360 Old Testament Theology (4 hrs)
- DR38405 Worldview & Ethical Theory (4 hrs)
- DR37305 Theology & Culture (4 hrs)
Standard Program Elective (4 Hours)
- Applied Theology Elective
Outcomes
Prepared for Faithful Ministry
Graduates of the fully online PhD in Applied Theology are equipped to serve with greater clarity, conviction, and depth.
Outcomes:
- Strengthened preaching, teaching, and leadership
- Advanced research and writing skills
- Preparation for teaching in higher education
- Greater theological depth for long-term ministry
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Thanks to the advances in online education, we are able to offer an accredited PhD without the usual travel requirements. Half of the required seminars may be completed in standard (asynchronous) online seminars. These may be completed on the student’s own time each week. The other half will be completed in online live (synchronous) classes. Students in this program will participate virtually in live courses from Midwestern Seminary’s campus.
The PhD in Applied Theology Standard Program features two seminar delivery formats: standard online and online live.
- Standard online seminars are asynchronous online courses, which means there are no scheduled class times, and online assignments may be completed on the student’s own time before deadlines.
- Online live seminars are synchronous online courses, which means students and professors join a live call at the same time for course lectures and engagement.
The online PhD in Applied Theology requires a minimum of five seminars to be completed through online live courses, where the students meet during scheduled course time. The remaining five seminars may be completed through standard (asynchronous) seminars, which may be completed at any time before posted deadlines.
Midwestern Seminary now offers the Standard Program emphasis of the PhD in Applied Theology fully online. This program is focused on the intersection of theology, ethics, and ministry application. Students in the Standard Program will produce scholarship intended to serve Christ’s Church and the broader theological community.
Our Doctoral Studies office would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. Please reach us at [email protected]. Read the press release announcing this program here.
