A Ph.D. in Ministry can open new career options.
Getting a Ph.D. takes a lot of effort, regardless of the area or discipline. The Internet has made distance learning a much more appealing option, and it has made pursuing a doctoral degree a much more realistic possibility for many people. The only caution is that you must make sure your degree will be recognized by your denomination or religion. Some denominations have specific requirements, and you will have to either get your degree from a related school or from one that is recognized.
Instructions
1. Ask your denomination what the requirements are. Some require you to get your degree from one of their universities, while others have a list of recognized universities. Also find out what will be required to be admitted to a doctoral program. Most accredited institutions require a masters degree or its equivalent. If you have to take some classes before you will be admitted, make sure you do that before applying to the school.
2. Shop around. Your own denominational headquarters is a great first stop in your search. The denomination headquarters will give you a list of accepted universities, and they may have suggestions. Liberty University and Regents University are two major universities that specialize in religious education online and are accepted by many denominations.
There are many options on the Internet, and many schools that can offer you a Ph.D. in Theology and Religion Ministry. Many programs have different names. The degree may be called a Doctor of Ministry, for example. Make sure the degree will fit your needs after you graduate. Some schools require you to be on campus for part of your studies, so make sure this will not be a problem while you are choosing a school.
3. Apply to the institution of your choice. Once you have chosen where you want to get your degree, fill out the paperwork and pay the fees. Be sure to find out what all the costs will be. Look around for grants that might be available. Check with the university itself to see if any financial aid or grants are available. Also check with your denomination for any grant money that might be available, as well as your own individual church. Federal grant money is normally not available for religious studies.
4. Set a schedule and a goal for completing your program. One of the great advantages of distance learning is flexibility with time. The disadvantage is that it is easy to spread things out too much and never get it done. Keep to your schedule and turn in your work on a regular basis, and on time, to get the most out of your experience.
5. Work on your dissertation. This will be the biggest project of your doctoral study. Many students do this at the end, and some work on it the entire time. Do whichever one meets your schedule and needs best. The important thing is to stick with it and stay on schedule so you will get it done in a reasonable amount of time.
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