Best practices of discipleship, spiritual formation, pastoral/biblical counseling, mentoring, and related disciplines have been at the forefront of Christian leaders' minds since the Spirit was poured out in Acts 2. I understand that some won't like me placing these disciplines into one category, but I'm operating from the standpoint that such topics are still related, even if they are different. These disciplines have become some of the most popular for Christians to study. As such, seminaries and other Christian educational institutions have designed programs with programs with such majors. Most of the following degrees are available via distance-learning modalities (almost all Doctor of Ministry and other professional doctorates are offered in an online or modular/hybrid format). Below is a list of some schools that offer doctorates in discipleship, spiritual formation, counseling, and other related topics. If interested, please continually check this blog post, as this list will be updated often.
SECTIONS BELOW
STUDY MODE
M: modular (2-5 day intensives)
O: online (100% online)
H: hybrid (modular + online)
C: coaching & mentoring sessions (one-on-one)
LS: live-streaming (digitally joining a class)
R: independent research (or dissertation only)
ABBREVIATIONS- DEGREES
Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy
Th.D.: Doctor of Theology
Ed.D.: Doctor of Education
D.Min.: Doctor of Ministry
D.Th.M.: Doctor of Theology & Ministry
D.T.L.: Doctor of Transformational Leadership
D.Ed.Min.: Doctor of Educational Ministry
1. PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATES
Abilene Christian University
D.Min. in Christian Spiritual Formation (M)
Asbury Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Spiritual Direction (M)
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary—Evangel University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Azusa Pacific University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Bakke Graduate University
D.T.L. in Cultural Transformation (M)
D.Min. in Ministry in Complex Contexts or Missional Spiritual Formation (M)
Baptist Bible Seminary—Clarks Summit University
Bethel University—Bethel Seminary
D.Min. in Congregational & Family Care (M)
B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary—East Texas Baptist University
D.Min. in Ministry & Formation (O+R)
Calvin Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation & Missional Leadership (M)
The Catholic University of America
D.Min. in Spirituality (M)
Dallas Theological Seminary
D.Ed.Min. in Discipleship, Mentoring, & Coaching or Spiritual Formation (M)
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Denver Seminary
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Fordham University
D.Min. in Spirituality (H)
Friends University
D.Min. in Formation & Soul Care (H)
Fuller Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Christian Spirituality or Spiritual Direction (M)
Gardner-Webb University
D.Min. in Pastoral Care & Counseling (H)
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders (M)
Grace School of Theology
D.Min. in Counseling (M)
Houston Graduate School of Theology
D.Min. in Spiritual Direction & Formation (M)
The King's Seminary—The King’s University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation & Direction (M)
Liberty University
D.Min. in Discipleship, Pastoral Counseling, or Spiritual Formation (O)
D.W.S. in Pastoral Counseling (O)
The Master's University
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling (H)
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling (O)
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling (M)
Nazarene Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship (M)
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Ed.Min. in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling (M)
D.Min. in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling (M)
Oblate School of Theology
D.Min. in Spirituality & Ministry (M)
Perkins School of Theology—Southern Methodist University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Portland Seminary—George Fox University
D.Min. in Leadership & Spiritual Formation or Semiotics, Church, & Culture (H)
Regent Divinity School—Regent University
D.Min. in Christian Leadership & Renewal (O)
Richmont Graduate University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation & Leadership (H)
Shepherds Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling & Care (M)
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling, Disciple-Making, or Pastoral Care & Counseling (M)
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Ed.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Ed.Min. In Biblical Counseling or Christian Formation & Discipleship (O+R+C+M)
DMin. in Biblical Counseling, Christian Formation & Discipleship, or Educational Ministries, Discipleship & Teaching (O+R+C+M)
Talbot School of Theology—Biola University
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care or Discipleship for the 21st Century (M)
Wesley Seminary—Indiana Wesleyan University
D.Min. in Spirituality & Spiritual Life (O)
Westminster Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Pastoral Care & Counseling
Wheaton College
D.Min. in Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders (H)
2. PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC COMBO DOCTORATES
Kairos University
Th.D. (Doctor of Theology) in Personhood ~OR~ Semiotics or Trauma & Transformation (H)
Liberty University
Ed.D. in Christian Leadership & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Care & Counseling (O)
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ed.D. in Christian Counseling or Discipleship & Mentoring (M)
Talbot School of Theology—Biola University
Ed.D. in Educational Studies & Spiritual Formation (M+R)
3. ACADEMIC DOCTORATES
Andrews University
B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary—East Texas Baptist University
Ph.D. in Ministry & Formation (O or LS)
Kairos University
Ph.D. in Transformative Leadership or Trauma-Informed Care or Practices of Reconciliation (H)
Liberty University
Ph.D. in Christian Leadership & Spiritual Formation or Psychology & Theology (O)
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling (O)
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality (M)
Neumann University
Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling (M)
Regent University
Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies and Biblical Counseling, Counseling & Psychological Studies and Pastoral Counseling, or Renewal Theology & Practical Theology (M)
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Christian Counseling (M)
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality (M)
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling (LS+R)
Talbot School of Theology—Biola University
Ph.D. in Educational Studies & Spiritual Formation (M+R)
4. INTERNATIONAL DOCTORATES
***Usually, “Dissertation-Only” with little or no residencies required. Students need to Zoom or FaceTime with their mentor professor(s) at least once a month.
Catholic Institute of Sydney—University of Notre Dame Australia
Th.D. (Doctor of Theology) in Theology (R)
Cliff College—University of Manchester (UK)
Durham University (UK)
Ph.D. in Spirituality, Theology, & Health (R)
D.ThM. (Doctor of Theology & Ministry) (R)
Eva Burrows College (Australia)
Ph.D. in Theology of Ministry & Mission or Spiritual Resilience or Pastoral Care (R + 8 hrs a year in residence)
Laidlaw College (New Zealand)
PhD or ThD (R + 8 hrs a year in residence)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
London School of Theology—Middlesex University (UK)
Ph.D. in Psychology of Religion, Spirituality, & Mental Health or Theological Education & Spiritual Formation (R)
Loyola School of Theology—Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines)
D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling & Spiritual Care
Melbourne School of Theology (Australia)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Morling College
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Nazarene Theological College—University of Manchester (UK)
Oxford Brookes University (UK)
Ph.D. in Belief & Religion
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Ridley College (Australia)
Ph.D. in Theology
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
St. Augustine College of South Africa (South Africa)
PhD in Theology (R)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
South African Theological Seminary (South Africa)
PhD in Theology (R)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Stellensbosch University (South Africa)
Ph.D. in Practical Theology & Pastoral Care (R)
Trinity College—University of Dublin (Ireland)
Ph.D. in (R)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Tyndale Seminary—Tyndale University (Canada)
Ph.D. in Spiritual Formation (M)
Union School of Theology—Free University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Ph.D. in Practical & Applied Theology with a Spiritual Formation focus (R)
University of Aberdeen
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation, Discipleship, Pastoral Care, etc
University of Birmingham
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Bristol (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
The University of Edinburgh (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Exeter (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Hull (UK)
University of Opole (Poland)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
University of South Africa
University of Sunderland (UK)
Ph.D. (R)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Wales-Trinity Saint David (UK)
***The school also offers a Ph.D. route where the student produces a creative work instead of a dissertation
Whitley College (Australia)
Ph.D. in (R + 8 hrs a year in residence)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
5. RELATED DOCTORATES
Amridge University
Columbia International University
Ph.D. in Practical Theology (R+LS)
***You can focus on Spiritual Formation
Duke Divinity School—Duke University
D.Min. (H)
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation
Eastern University
Fuller Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Theology & Practical Theology (H)
***You can focus on Spiritual Formation
Gateway Seminary
D.Min. (M+LS)
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation
Grace Theological Seminary
D.Min. in Interdisciplinary Studies (O)
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation and focus on your ministry context
Saint Leo University
Southeastern University
D.Min. (H)
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School—Trinity International University
Ph.D. in Educational Studies
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Formation
Wheaton College
D.Min. (H)
***You can focus/write on Spiritual Transformation