United Theological Seminary

Doctor of Theology

Become a scholar for the church.

42 credit hours, virtual courses with summer intensives. 3-5 years.

United’s Doctor of Theology (ThD) is an advanced research degree program designed to support leading pastor-scholars, teachers, and thinkers in the church, by expanding knowledge in the fields of Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Practical Theology. Our ThD program will train educators for the future of theological education to work at the intersection of church and academy.

Flexible

United’s ThD requires a total of only four weeks of summer intensives on-campus, two weeks the first summer, and one week each the second and third summer, during the mid-July intensive weeks. Students also participate in weekly virtual courses to fulfill elective requirements.

Individual

Every ThD program is customized to the student’s area of interest and research. Students work closely with United’s faculty to develop and execute a plan of study.

Personal

The ThD program admits a small number of students to work closely with United’s faculty. Every student receives close mentorship in teaching, scholarship, and church renewal.

DEGREE PLAN – 42 CREDIT HOURS

ThD Core Requirements – 12 credit hours

    • THD800 Advanced Theological Research and Methodology
    • THD801 Scholarship for Church Renewal
    • THD802 Research Colloquy
    • THD803 Comprehensive Examination Seminar

ThD Electives – 24 credit hours

  • Determined by student interest and faculty expertise

ThD899 Comprehensive Examinations – 0 credit hours

ThD Dissertation – 6 credit hours

  • Required Travel to Dayton: 2 weeks during the first summer, 1 week during the second summer, 1 week during the third summer

Non-Credit Requirements

  • SS500 Online Student Orientation (500)
Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will receive the personalized support and guidance you need to shape your research and grow as a scholar of the church.
View a list of all ThD faculty to find an advisor that can support your area of research. During the application process, you will be asked to identify faculty members with whom you would like to study.
Search Faculty Advisors
*Faculty availability is subject to change. Current availability is indicated in the ThD faculty directory. Please contact the Doctor of Theology office at any time to request assistance identifying an appropriate faculty advisor for your area of interest.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • A Master of Divinity degree or a qualifying theological masters degree totaling to at least 48 credit hours
  • A 3.5 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate level studies.

Learn more about the application process.

AT A GLANCE

  • $815/Credit Hour
  • Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $14,670
  • United ThD Half-Tuition Scholarship: $7,335**

Total Cost after Scholarship: $7,335

*Based on the average of total program credits completed in 3 years. Actual program credits are 18 in year one, 15 in year two, and 9 in year three.

**Scholarship limited to the first 20 students in the ThD program.

Learn More

United’s Doctor of Theology (ThD) is an advanced research degree program designed to support leading pastor-scholars, teachers, and thinkers in the church, by expanding knowledge in the fields of Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Practical Theology. Our ThD program will train educators for the future of theological education to work at the intersection of church and academy.

Flexible

United’s ThD requires a total of only four weeks of summer intensives on-campus, two weeks the first summer, and one week each the second and third summer, during the mid-July intensive weeks.

Individual

Every ThD program is customized to the student’s area of interest and research. Students work closely with United’s faculty to develop and execute a plan of study.

Personal

The ThD program admits a small number of students to work closely with United’s faculty. Every student receives close mentorship in teaching, scholarship, and church renewal.


DEGREE PLAN


42 CREDIT HOURS

  • ThD Core Requirements – 12 credit hours
    • Advanced Theological Research and Methodology
    • Scholarship for Church Renewal
    • Research Colloquy
    • Comprehensive Examination Seminar
  • ThD Electives – 24 credit hours
    • Determined by student interest and faculty expertise
  •  
  • ThD Dissertation – 6 credit hours

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

DISSERTATION AND DEFENSE

Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will receive the personalized support and guidance you need to shape your research and grow as a scholar of the church.
View a list of all ThD faculty to find an advisor that can support your area of research. During the application process, you will be asked to identify faculty members with whom you would like to study.
Search Faculty Advisors
*Faculty availability is subject to change. Current availability is indicated in the ThD faculty directory. Please contact the Doctor of Theology office at any time to request assistance identifying an appropriate faculty advisor for your area of interest.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS


  • A Master of Divinity degree or a qualifying theological masters degree totaling to at least 48 credit hours
  • A 3.5 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate level studies.

 

Learn more about the application process.


AT A GLANCE


  • $815/Credit Hour
  • Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $14,670
  • United ThD Half-Tuition Scholarship: $7,335**

Total Cost after Scholarship: $7,335

*Based on the average of total program credits completed in 3 years. Actual program credits are 18 in year one, 15 in year two, and 9 in year three.

**Scholarship limited to the first 20 students in the ThD program.

Learn More

United’s Doctor of Theology (ThD) is an advanced research degree program designed to support leading pastor-scholars, teachers, and thinkers in the church, by expanding knowledge in the fields of Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Practical Theology. Our ThD program will train educators for the future of theological education to work at the intersection of church and academy.

Flexible

United’s ThD requires a total of only four weeks of summer intensives on-campus, two weeks the first summer, and one week each the second and third summer, during the mid-July intensive weeks.

Individual

Every ThD program is customized to the student’s area of interest and research. Students work closely with United’s faculty to develop and execute a plan of study.

Personal

The ThD program admits a small number of students to work closely with United’s faculty. Every student receives close mentorship in teaching, scholarship, and church renewal.


DEGREE PLAN


42 CREDIT HOURS

  • ThD Core Requirements – 12 credit hours
    • Advanced Theological Research and Methodology
    • Scholarship for Church Renewal
    • Research Colloquy
    • Comprehensive Examination Seminar
  • ThD Electives – 24 credit hours
    • Determined by student interest and faculty expertise
  •  
  • ThD Dissertation – 6 credit hours

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

DISSERTATION AND DEFENSE

Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will receive the personalized support and guidance you need to shape your research and grow as a scholar of the church.
View a list of all ThD faculty to find an advisor that can support your area of research. During the application process, you will be asked to identify faculty members with whom you would like to study.
Search Faculty Advisors
*Faculty availability is subject to change. Current availability is indicated in the ThD faculty directory. Please contact the Doctor of Theology office at any time to request assistance identifying an appropriate faculty advisor for your area of interest.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS


  • A Master of Divinity degree or a qualifying theological masters degree totaling to at least 48 credit hours
  • A 3.5 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate level studies.

 

Learn more about the application process.


AT A GLANCE


  • $815/Credit Hour
  • Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $14,670
  • United ThD Half-Tuition Scholarship: $7,335**

Total Cost after Scholarship: $7,335

*Based on the average of total program credits completed in 3 years. Actual program credits are 18 in year one, 15 in year two, and 9 in year three.

**Scholarship limited to the first 20 students in the ThD program.

Learn More

United’s Doctor of Theology (ThD) is an advanced research degree program designed to support leading pastor-scholars, teachers, and thinkers in the church, by expanding knowledge in the fields of Historical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Practical Theology. Our ThD program will train educators for the future of theological education to work at the intersection of church and academy.

Flexible

United’s ThD requires a total of only four weeks of summer intensives on-campus, two weeks the first summer, and one week each the second and third summer, during the mid-July intensive weeks.

Individual

Every ThD program is customized to the student’s area of interest and research. Students work closely with United’s faculty to develop and execute a plan of study.

Personal

The ThD program admits a small number of students to work closely with United’s faculty. Every student receives close mentorship in teaching, scholarship, and church renewal.


DEGREE PLAN


42 CREDIT HOURS

  • ThD Core Requirements – 12 credit hours
    • Advanced Theological Research and Methodology
    • Scholarship for Church Renewal
    • Research Colloquy
    • Comprehensive Examination Seminar
  • ThD Electives – 24 credit hours
    • Determined by student interest and faculty expertise
  •  
  • ThD Dissertation – 6 credit hours

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

DISSERTATION AND DEFENSE

Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will receive the personalized support and guidance you need to shape your research and grow as a scholar of the church.
 
View a list of all ThD faculty to find an advisor that can support your area of research. During the application process, you will be asked to identify faculty members with whom you would like to study.

Search Faculty Advisors

*Faculty availability is subject to change. Current availability is indicated in the ThD faculty directory. Please contact the Doctor of Theology office at any time to request assistance identifying an appropriate faculty advisor for your area of interest.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS


  • A Master of Divinity degree or a qualifying theological masters degree totaling to at least 48 credit hours
  • A 3.5 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate level studies.

 

Learn more about the application process.


AT A GLANCE


  • $815/Credit Hour
  • Average Annual Tuition & Fees*: $14,670
  • United ThD Half-Tuition Scholarship: $7,335**

Total Cost after Scholarship: $7,335

*Based on the average of total program credits completed in 3 years. Actual program credits are 18 in year one, 15 in year two, and 9 in year three.

**Scholarship limited to the first 20 students in the ThD program.

Learn More

A ThD degree might be for you if you are interested in…
Research and Writing
Serving as a Pastor-Scholar
Ministry as an Educator

Your faculty advisor

United’s Doctor of Theology program fosters partnerships between students and faculty. Working closely with a faculty advisor, you will receive the personalized support and guidance you need to shape your research and grow as a scholar of the church.
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Begin your journey. Follow God’s call at United.