Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Apologetics

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Apologetics

Overview
What You Will Study
Careers
Benefits
Military

Confidently Defend the Faith as a Biblical Scholar with Liberty’s Ph.D. in Applied Apologetics

Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Apologetics offers you the opportunity to pursue biblical scholarship at the highest level of academia. This degree program is made up of mostly 8-week courses with no required in-person intensives, so you can further your education while remaining committed to your job, family, community, and church.

Unlike many doctoral programs, this Ph.D. can be completed in as little as 3 years – meaning you can save time and money by partnering with us for your terminal degree. In addition, Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Earning your online doctoral apologetics degree from a school with this kind of recognition can help set you apart as a Christian leader.

This degree program offers you the chance to dive into biblical scholarship and affords you the opportunity to conduct in-depth research into the rich history of applied apologetics. You can also offer your own unique insight into academia by completing a dissertation. When you choose Liberty for your doctoral degree in apologetics, you don’t just choose a school – you choose an institution of higher education that is committed to your success.

What Will You Study in Liberty University’s Doctor of Applied Apologetics?

  • Ministry foundations for applied apologetics
  • Teaching and learning methods
  • Theological foundations for scholarly, biblical research

In addition to the topics above, you will complete both a 2-part literature review and a 2-part topical research sequence. In this part of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to explore various scholarly works and build your knowledge base as you prepare for your dissertation – which you’ll complete in 4 stages at the end of your degree.

Benefits of Pursuing Your Applied Apologetics Doctorate with Liberty University

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
  • The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university. 
  • To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.
  • As a John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Ph.D. student, you will receive a block rate of $2,750 if you enroll in 7-15 credit hours each semester. This can save you up to $6,000 a semester!**
  • You can complete this Ph.D. in Applied Apologetics program in as little as 3 years!

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

**Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours are charged at the part-time rate.

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Here’s how:

  • If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
  • If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $300/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $300/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!

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Potential Careers for Applied Apologetics Graduates

  • Author
  • Church administrator
  • Ministry director
  • Pastor
  • Professor
  • University administrator
  • Vocational missionary
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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Credit Hours

SACSCOC

Class Type

100% online, 8-week courses

Interested in studying on campus?

Transfer Credits

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Date

Mar 17, 2025

Accreditation

Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC

600+ Online Degrees

With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus

Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.

No tuition increase for 9 years

We want to help you pursue your goals – so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven’t.

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Hear from our Graduates

“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”

Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision

“Liberty offers an affordable, Christ-centered education, honoring the foundations of our country. I have learned how to apply a Biblical worldview to my work in public policy while adequately knowing history and the founding documents of United States.”

Morgan Schlesselman, Master’s in Public Policy

“There have been so many highly qualified professors who have sown generously into my academic endeavors at Liberty that encouraged me when I felt like giving up.”

James, Master of Divinity

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