Th.d. in applied theology

Why earn your th.d. in applied theology at saint leo university?
Earning your doctorate degree in theology at Saint Leo University is an excellent opportunity for you in your career.  The program is designed especially for professionals in ministry or education who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of theology. We combine research and writing skills with a practical eye towards bringing theology into our communities, ministries, and workplaces.  
Saint Leo is excited and honored to offer this program through its convenient online format, along with three short residencies held throughout the course of the program at University Campus in Florida.

th.d. in applied theology: details
The online Th.D. program follows a cohort model, admitting new cohorts that begin each July.  The program features 60 credit hours, and the estimated time to complete the program is about four years.  

learn more: view our information session
Coming Soon...

learn your way: online with brief in person residencies
Coursework for the program is primarily done online, with students typically taken two, sixteen-week courses per semester.  These courses include weekly optional live sessions with the instructors (which are recorded and made available for all students).  Additionally, students will come to University Campus outside Tampa, FL three times over the course of their program for four day residencies.  

What are the benefits of earning your theology degree online?
Saint Leo University’s online learning experience provides a well-rounded education with the flexibility to tailor your course of study to meet your individual needs. We know our students have lives outside school, and we seek to meet them where they are. Online students can count on receiving excellent academics as well as opportunities for hands-on learning.

Career outlook
Throughout this program, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, discipline knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready to strengthen your career and improve your community following your graduation.

What Will you learn?
The online Doctorate in Theology - Applied Theology program will prepare graduates to:
  • Identify the key methods and contexts for applied theology
  • Identify the central claims and commitments of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition
  • Distinguish various approaches to interfaith, ecumenical, and interdisciplinary dialogue in applied theology
  • Evaluate the moral and ethical dimensions of theological texts, practices, and traditions
  • Design a program that applies their theological knowledge to their specific context
  • Analyze a contemporary issue or event through the lens of applied theology
  • Communicate the relevance of applied theology through public presentation
  • Examine the contributions of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition to the contemporary context
  • Appraise the challenges the contemporary context presents to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition

What can you do with the doctorate in theology degree?
Earning the Th.D. in Applied Theology will aid graduates in a number of different career paths, including:
  • Director of Religious Education
  • Higher Education Administration
  • Parish and Diocesan Management
  • Non-Profit Leadership
  • Catholic Schools Administration