The MTRI Ph.D. program is designed for the independent minded person with a strong desire to improve personal skills, and self-discipline through a guided program of study. It is most appropriate for individuals who wish to expand their knowledge base for greater effectiveness in their current area of ministry.
The Biblically Focused Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is completed entirely online using distance education methods. It is designed to develop the doctoral candidate’s ability to summarize, synthesize, conceptualize, formulate, and evaluate within academic research parameters.
Program Details
42 Credit Hours
Students may select to focus (same as major or concentrate) in one of three disciplines. These are:
The student will draw from personal and professional experience in partnership with in-depth, scholarly investigation. The student will develop skill in critical, reflective thinking while conducting academic research. The successful doctoral candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of inquiry and research methods by completing a scholarly, publishable dissertation.
Entrance Requirements & Steps to Start
Program Process
1. Online Orientation MOR is a 2 credit course designed to prepare the student for completing an online degree program.
2. The student will select Four Focus Courses (12 credit hours) in the chosen area. These courses may come from one of three areas:
3. ARW-701 – Advanced Research and Writing Course (2 credit hours). Research is a dynamic process. It has logical and scientific elements to it, but it is neither predominately one nor the other. These and other factors work synergistically together as the inquirer shapes and molds his or her research project, collects the data, makes the case, and draws conclusions. This course will prepare the student to undertake advanced research, and sharpen skills already attained.
4. The Research Concentration Anthology (12 credit hours), aims to facilitate the writing of an Anthology that surveys the scholarly literature on your chosen Research Concentration. It allows the student to see what questions are already out there and how these can fit within the current scholarship stream.
Writing the Anthology will enable the student to plan out the rest of the research with less confusion. The student will have a clearer view of the ‘question’ to be answered in the Dissertation. The student will thereby be better equipped to understand who is writing what in that concentrated field. It will help the student to place the particular views of others within a current, narrowed field of scholarship.
5. The Dissertation (12 credit hours) is of no less than one hundred twenty five pages of focused content within the study area designed per acceptable scholarly standards and reviewed by the appointed Dissertation Committee.
The Dissertation Project involves six submissions. The first four submissions are under the direction of a Dissertation Advisor. The appointed Dissertation Committee evaluates the last two submissions.
The Doctoral Dissertation Study Guide gives complete details on constructing this document.
• Submission One: The Topic Proposal;
• Submission Two: The Academic Abstract;
• Submission Three: Preliminary Outline, Chapter One, and Preliminary Bibliography;
• Submission Four: The Critical Literature Review Chapter;
• Submission Five: The Rough Draft;
• Submission Six: The Final Draft.
6. The Oral Defense takes place during an online meeting with the degree candidate and the Dissertation Committee.
7. Submission of the dissertation for printing.
8. A Program Summary (2 Credit Hours) is demonstrated by a critical summation and synthesis of the student’s study program validating the student’s ability to put elements together to form a coherent or functional whole while integrating knowledge and understanding in the operational Christian worldview. This is designed to demonstrate the student’s ability to make judgments based on criteria and standards by checking and critiquing. The Program Summary Study Guide gives complete details on crafting this document.
Approved Ph.D. Focus Courses
Select Four Courses from These Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Counseling Approved Focus Courses
Biblical Counselor, the Counseling Center, and the Law: BCCL-1510 -
REQUIRED OF ALL U.S.A. STUDENTS ONLY.
This course is designed to inform the student of the best practices to avoid legal issues in the Biblical Counseling practice. The secondary purpose is the prepare the student with the basic information needed to establish a counseling ministry.
Advanced Biblical Directionism Counseling II 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.
Advanced Biblical Directives for Pastors DP-701
The purpose of this doctoral level course is to further develop a foundation for the students to enable them to identify those issues in themselves which are germane to the work they do with others; to give the student an opportunity to experience, first hand, the process of growth that future counselees will need to experience for their own growth; to build an appreciation for a disciplined approach to the sanctification process; to allow the student to experience the application of the Word of God to specific problems.
Advanced Counseling Theology II AT-702
To further develop the doctoral student’s understanding of the broader scope of topics in the discipline of Systematic Theology and the relevance of these topics to the work of biblical counseling.
Advanced Crisis Counseling CC-702
To assist the doctoral student in the understanding and management of crisis situations involving suffering and personal trauma in various forms in the lives of people they seek to help.
Advanced Essentials (Fundamentals) of Biblical Counseling II AE-702
The purpose of this course is to further expand the doctoral student’s understanding of the requisites of multidimensional biblical (nouthetic) counseling. The student will be encouraged to discover and recognize important differences with other counseling theories and describe his or her relationship to the biblical counseling model.
Counseling ADHD from A Biblical Perspective BCADD-700
This course will inform students who are trying to deal with the flow of contradictory ideas concerning attention deficit hyperactive disorder that there is an alternative method of assessing and dealing with a diagnosis of ADHD. The course is designed to provide relevant practical information that is useful in counseling from a Biblical perspective both children and adults who have been labeled as having ADHD.
Counseling the Victims of Abortion AV-702
The core purpose of this course is to give the counselor a place to start when faced with the prospect of counseling women who have experienced sexually based trauma, and to provide the counselor with a road map to reach the heart of these women, thereby avoiding the most common complaint of counselors in such situation…the sense of being overwhelmed and frustrated.
Counseling Through Pregnancy Loss CPL-1500
The purpose of this course is to equip the student to help individuals and families who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death.
Drugs, Mental Health and the Biblical Counselor DM-701
This course, taught by a leading Pharmacologist, will cover the basics of substance abuse from a Biblical position, and introduce the student to Biblical counseling methods for dealing with this all to common addiction of our day.
Intergenerational Impact of Unplanned Pregnancy UPP-1500
This course will explore the unique needs of the entire family when an unplanned pregnancy touches them. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge of the emotional needs of all those involved; to acquaint the student with the options that are available to families; and to guide the student how to assist family members through the many decisions that must be made.
Personhood from a Biblical Perspective PH-702
The purpose of this course is to direct the doctoral 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.
Preparing Couples for a Biblically Based Marriage BBM-701
This course will introduce the doctoral student to a biblical approach to Marriage and Family counseling so that the student will acquire the knowledge of the biblical conceptions of family roles and interpersonal relationships, and be able to trace the importance of these data and interpret them in terms of the counseling process.
Understanding Sexual Addictions SA-1501
The purpose of this course is to confront the doctoral student with the root causes of sexual addictions; to develop within the student an appreciation for the power of sexual addictions and the spiritual connection behind these addictions; to unfold to the student the biblical solution for dealing with sexual addictions; to acquaint the student with outside resources available; and to create an appreciation for the power of God’s Word to bring deliverance and healing to the sexually addicted.
Select Four Courses from These Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies Approved Focus Courses
Advanced New Testament I ANT-701
The purpose of this course is to lead the doctoral student to carefully examine the various interpretive options in the New Testament study of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles; to relate critically his/her own commitment to Scripture in light of those options; to demonstrate a coherent understanding that reflects the student’s ability to analyze and integrate character studies, historical development, and sound interpretation of the text.
Advanced New Testament II ANT-702
The purpose of this course is to lead the doctoral student to carefully examine the various interpretive options in the New Testament study of the Epistles and Book of Revelation; to relate critically his/her own commitment to Scripture in light of those options; to demonstrate a coherent understanding that reflects the student’s ability to analyze and integrate character studies, historical development, and sound interpretation of the text.
Advanced Old Testament I AOT-701
The purpose of this course is to lead the doctoral student to carefully examine the various interpretive options in Old Testament studies from the Book of Genesis through the Song of Solomon; to relate critically his/her own commitment to Scripture in light of those options; to demonstrate a coherent understanding of the Old Testament that reflects the student’s ability to analyze character studies, historical development, and sound interpretation of the text.
Advanced Old Testament II AOT-702
The purpose of this course is to lead the doctoral student to carefully examine the various interpretive options in Old Testament studies from the Book of Isaiah through Malachi; to relate critically his/her own commitment to Scripture in light of those options; to demonstrate a coherent understanding of the Old Testament that reflects the student’s ability to analyze character studies, historical development, and sound interpretation of the text.
Advanced Spiritual Warfare ASW-701
The purpose of this course is to assist the doctoral student to undertake a deeper and genuinely biblical study of spiritual warfare within the context of the Christian life so that they acquire an advance understanding regarding the nature of spiritual warfare, and identify and describe strategies for overcoming the enemy, and to develop the student’s ability to summarize the nature of spiritual warfare and evaluate various strategies for overcoming the enemy.
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.
Israel and the Church IAC-1510 (3 credits)
This course will exam several crucial topics related to the issue of Israel and the Church, including: The Jewish background of the writers of the New Testament; The Jewish background of the Messiah; The historical circumstances surrounding the separation of Jewish Messianic followers of Yeshua from the Gentile population of Christians; The subsequent theological development that led to a separation of Israel and the Church; Contemporary re-evaluation of this separation and its implications for a renewed relationship.
I & II Corinthians COR-1500
This course is designed to introduce the student to the literary beauty and spiritual challenges which were presented to the first century Christians in Corinth. Great materials for preaching and teaching.
Pastoral Epistles PE-1504
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to a devotional approach to the study of the Pastoral Epistles and to cause the student to think critically about some of the central issues and themes.
The Parables of Jesus PAJ-1503
This course exposes the student to the teachings of our Lord through His use of the parable as a teaching method. Current applications for present ministry are included.
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.
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.
Select Four Courses from These Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology Approved Focus Courses
Advanced Spiritual Warfare ASW-701
The purpose of this course is to assist the doctoral student to undertake a deeper and genuinely biblical study of spiritual warfare within the context of the Christian life so that they acquire an advance understanding regarding the nature of spiritual warfare, and identify and describe strategies for overcoming the enemy, and to develop the student’s ability to summarize the nature of spiritual warfare and evaluate various strategies for overcoming the enemy.
Advanced Systematic Theology I AST-701
This advanced level course presents the doctoral student with the fundamental issues of Systematic Theology and how these relate to the Bible as a foundational source. In doing so, the course will introduce and expose the student to the study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; to enable the student to identify and describe key doctrinal issues; to apply that knowledge in the student's current ministry and to lead the student to analyze carefully the various theological options on key doctrinal issues; to examine those issues in light of her/his own theological stance; to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the student's own faith tradition.
Advanced Systematic Theology II AST-702
This advanced level course presents the doctoral student with specific issues of Systematic Theology as they relate to God and the creation. In doing so, the course will introduce and expose the student to the study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; to enable the student to identify and describe key doctrinal issues; to apply that knowledge in the student's current ministry and to lead the student to analyze carefully the various theological options on key doctrinal issues; to examine those issues in light of her/his own theological stance; to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the student's own faith tradition.
Application of Apologetics AAP-701
The purpose of this course is to confront the doctoral student with the requisite issues in the study of Apologetics; to enable the student to identify key terms and describe essential issues of Apologetics and to apply Apologetic methodology to contemporary challenges; to offer the student the opportunity to explore significant challenges to the Christian faith and apologetic responses to those challenges; to examine and analyze the competing truth claims of rival world views.
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.
Doctrine of Christ DCH-1510The 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.
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.
The Philosophical Problem of Evil PPOE-1510
The purpose of this course is to introduce and explain the various options in Christian understandings of the problem of evil, and to offer some suggestions for dealing with the problem so that the student will be better equipped to defend the coherence of Christian theism as a viable and tenable worldview against the skeptic's objection to theism based on evil in the world.
Theology of Disability: An Investigation TD-1500
This course explores the issue of disability from a biblical and theological perspective. The number of individuals in the world who are affected by disability is in excess of one billion. Adding to this the number of family members also impacted by having a family member who is disabled suggests that this is potentially the largest unreached people group in the world because of the failure of the church to extend the gospel to, and welcome these individuals. Yet even a quick read of the Gospels reveals that this is a people group of particular concern to Jesus. This course is designed to help church leaders gain a theological understanding of disability and God’s view of persons with disability.
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.
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.
I found the Master's International University of Divinity at the right time. I felt the need to advance my theological studies, but the traditional classroom seemed inadequate. MIUD provided the opportunity for me to learn at my own pace. The courses were challenging, and they enriched me professionally.
Rev. Dr. Levi C. Williams
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