The Standard Doctor of Practical Theology Degree is:

• Self-paced (go fast, go slow, change pace as needed);
• Not structured in semesters, quarters or terms;
• Designed to be completed through the use of appropriate online technology such as email, and file transfers;
• Designed to allow the student to begin at any time of the year;
• Designed to allow the student to select the area of concentration;
• Optional Advanced Online Courses, and on-site small group learning seminars.

Entrance Requirements (one of the following):

• An acceptable master's degree of at least 30 hours in a Bible related discipline.
• Applicants holding an acceptable master's degree of at least 30 hours that is not in a Bible related discipline, may be considered for admission providing they meet one of the following:
  a. Have earned an acceptable bachelor's degree in a Bible related discipline in addition to the unrelated master's degree.
  b. Have served at least ten (10) years in a Christian ministry role such as pastor, teaching minister, missionary, Christian school teacher, chaplain, or a similar field of Christian service in addition to having earned an acceptable unrelated master's degree.

Core Course Descriptions

Doctrine of Biblical Inspiration BI-701

To provide the doctoral student with an opportunity to examine the deeper internal evidences for the validity of the Bible as its own source of confirmation of Divine inspiration, and to challenge the student to analyze these internal evidences critically and competently.

Drugs, Mental Health and the Biblical Counselor DM-701

This course will covers the evolution of psychiatry and the DSM's creation of mental illness; the evolution of mental health chemical imbalance theories; and the revolution in society and the church concerning sin and sickness.

Theology of the Old Testament OTH-701

The purpose of this course is to expose the doctoral student to the study of Old Testament theology; to enable the student to master issues related to Old Testament theology, and to deepen the student’s understanding of the distinctive theological character of individual Old Testament writings and of the Old Testament as a whole; to apply that knowledge in the student's ministry.

Theology of the New Testament NTH-701

The purpose of this course is to expose the doctoral student to the study of New Testament theology; to enable the student to master issues related to New Testament theology, and to deepen the student’s understanding of the distinctive theological character of individual New Testament writings and of the New Testament as a whole; to apply that knowledge in the student's ministry.

Approved Electives Course Descriptions

Faith and Understanding: An Introduction to Language and Theology ILT-1510

The purpose is to introduce the student to theological thinking with special reference to global theological thought. Further, the purpose will be to examine influences on what we consider ‘our’ theology in relation to historical theological thinking, and to our current globalized Christianity. 

Historical Geography in the Holy Land: A Survey of the Holy Land: Geography, Archaeology, Architecture, and History HGH-1500 

The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the geography of the Holy Land. All of the sites important to the development of the Nation of Israel and the Ministry of Jesus are studied in context with special emphasis on the unique geography of the Holy Land.

Mormonism: Historical, Theological, and Evangelistic Survey MOR- 1510

Course Purpose: Cultured, refined, socially acceptable, educationally skilled, evangelistically engaged, and religiously committed -- these are descriptive of the Mormon faith. The looming question for the evangelical community is: Where does the Mormon religion fit? Is Mormonism another denomination within Christendom or is there another dynamic involved? This course explores answers to these questions historically and theologically with evangelistic application. 

Personhood from a Biblical Perspective PH-1502

Course Purpose: To direct the student to a Biblical foundation for understanding God’s idea for personal self-awareness. To lead the student through a Biblical assessment of the so-called “self-esteem” movement. To compare and analyze the prevailing secular attitude regarding self-esteem over against the Scriptural teachings related to these attitudes. To prepare the student to deal with the issue of self-esteem within a Biblical counseling regime.

Restoring Biblical Purity in the Church: Redeeming A Culture On the Brink RBP-1500

The purpose of this course is to explain the history behind the sexual revolution; to expound on the rationale behind the legalization of birth control, abortion and sodomy in America; to identify the difference between the sex education, abstinence, and the purity movements; to research and identify the shift in the Christian churches stance on sex education, population control and sodomy over the last decade; to evaluate the impact of universal acceptance of Kinsey’s fraudulent science on the church, marriage, and children; and to cite examples of how purity can be restored to our homes, church and nation.

Sexual Indoctrination of Children and What the Church Can Do About It SI-1500

This course will enable the student to identify the difference between the sex education, abstinence, and the purity movements. As a result, the student will be able to understand, and explain the history behind the sex education and abstinence movements, and will be able to apply Biblical principles to the instruction of children on God’s Life process.

Doctrine of Christ DCH -1510

The historicity, humanity, and deity of Jesus are not just a matter of curious interest for the believer. These tenets are the basis for the Christian faith. The goal of this course is to examine what Scripture has to say about Christ, especially His person and His work. These two items must be considered in connection. The value of His death, for example, is seen in Who He is. It is not enough just to know who He is. It is not enough just to know what He did. It is important to know Who He is in light of what He did. This adds depth of significance to both.

Readings in the Intertestamental History of Israel RHI-1501

The purpose of this readings course is to expand the student's understanding of what is known as the "Intertestamental Period" of Biblical History, and how that period of about 400 years between the writing of Book of Malachi, and the birth of Jesus Christ influenced the Jewish world, and laid the foundation for the Christian era.

Biblical Truth and Worldview Conflicts BTWC-1510

Course Purpose: This multidisciplinary apologetics course considers how our big-picture "worldview" concepts of ultimate realities, including God, the world, life, death, our own origins and destinies, and concepts of meaning and value (truth vs. falsity, right vs. wrong, good vs. bad, valuable vs. worthless) are tied to our beliefs about which information is foundationally true and reliable. Various worldview elements are examined, theistic vs. atheistic, creationist vs. evolutionary, Biblical vs. humanist, and eternal perspectives vs. temporal perspectives. Critical issues regarding cosmic and human origins are specially analyzed, based upon Scripture-provided truth (especially Genesis), including the age of the earth, the original and renewed Dominion Mandate, and the laws of life and death. The crucial and unique authority of the Holy Bible is emphasized.

Advanced Biblical Directionism Counseling BD-702

The purpose of this course is to increase the doctoral student’s appreciation for the Bible as an adequate handbook for the human mind, and to supply the student with an executable system for using the Bible as a counseling model.