Doctorates in Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Pastoral Counseling, and Related Disciplines
Updated: Jun 16
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 grouping these disciplines into one category, but I'm operating on the premise that these topics are still related, even if they are different. These disciplines have become among the most popular among Christians to study. As such, seminaries and other Christian educational institutions have designed 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 schools that offer doctoral programs in disciplines such as discipleship, spiritual formation, counseling, and related fields. If interested, please check this blog post regularly, as the list will be updated frequently.
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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. North American Professional Doctorates
Abilene Christian University
DMin in Christian Spiritual Formation
Andrews University
DMin in Discipleship or Chaplaincy
Asbury Theological Seminary
DMin in Spiritual Direction
Bakke Graduate University
DTL in Cultural Transformation
DMin in Ministry in Complex Contexts or Missional Spiritual Formation
Baptist University of Florida
DMin in Christian Counseling
Bethel University (Bethel Seminary)
DMin in Congregational & Family Care
Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)
Birmingham Theological Seminary
DMin in Biblical Counseling or Chaplaincy
Calvin Theological Seminary
The Catholic University of America
DMin in Spirituality
Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, IN)
DMin in Pastoral Care & Leadership
Dallas Theological Seminary
DEdMin in Discipleship, Mentoring, & Coaching or Spiritual Formation
DMin in Spiritual Formation
Denver Seminary
DMin in Spiritual Formation & Trauma-Informed Ministry
East Texas Baptist University (B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary)
DMin in Ministry & Formation
Evangel University (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)
DMin in Spiritual Formation
Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
DMin in Discipleship & Shepherding
Fordham University
DMin in Spirituality
Friends University
DMin in Formation & Soul Care
Fuller Theological Seminary
DMin with cohorts such as Christian Spirituality, Coaching & Mentoring Leaders, Holy Spirit Leadership & Ministry, Reimagining Congregational Leadership & Formation, Spiritual Direction, etc.
Gardner-Webb University
DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling
George Fox University (Portland Seminary)
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
DMin in Outreach & Discipleship, Pastoral Counseling & Soul Care, or Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders
Grace School of Theology
DMin in Counseling
Grace Theological Seminary
Houston Graduate School of Theology
DMin in Spiritual Direction & Formation
Indiana Wesleyan University (Wesley Seminary)
DMin in Spirituality & Spiritual Life
Kairos University
DMin in Spiritual Formation & Direction, Pastoral Care
The King's University (The King’s Seminary)
DMin in Spiritual Formation & Direction
Liberty University
DMin in Chaplaincy, Discipleship, Pastoral Counseling, or Spiritual Formation
DWS in Pastoral Counseling
Maple Springs Baptist Bible Seminary
DMin in Christian Counseling
The Master's University
DMin in Biblical Counseling
Mercer University (McAfee School of Theology)
DMin in Christian Spirituality or Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy
Metro Atlanta Seminary
DMin in Discipleship
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
DMin in Biblical Counseling
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
DMin in Biblical Counseling
Moody Bible Institute (Moody Theological Seminary)
DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling
Nazarene Theological Seminary
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
DEdMin in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling
Oblate School of Theology
DMin in Spiritual Formation in the Local Community or Spirituality & Ministry
Olivet University
DMin in Spiritual Formation
Oral Roberts University
DMin in Pastoral Counseling & Chaplaincy
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
DMin in Biblical Counseling
Regent University (Regent Divinity School)
DMin in Chaplain Ministry & Leadership or Trauma Ministry & Renewal
Richmont Graduate University
DMin in Spiritual Formation & Leadership
Roberts Wesleyan University (Northeastern Seminary)
DMin in Spiritual Formation
Shepherds Theological Seminary
DMin in Biblical Counseling & Care
South College
DMin in Chaplaincy or Pastoral Counseling
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
EdD in Christian Counseling or Discipleship & Mentoring
DMin in Chaplaincy, Disciple-Making, or Pastoral Care & Counseling
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
DEdMin in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
DMin in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
Southern California Seminary
DMin in Christian Counseling
Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology)
DMin in Spiritual Formation
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
DEdMin In Biblical Counseling or Christian Formation & Discipleship
DMin in Biblical Counseling, Christian Formation & Discipleship, or Educational Ministries, Discipleship & Teaching
Trinity Anglican Seminary
DMin in Ascetical Theology & Spiritual Formation or Discipleship
Tyndale University (Tyndale Seminary)
DMin in Clinical Counseling & Psychotherapy, Pastoral Thanatology, or Spiritual Formation
Virginia Christian College
Wesley Theological Seminary
DMin in Soul Care or Trauma, Moral Injury, & Christian Life
Western Seminary
DMin in Pastoral Counseling, Spiritual Formation, and/or Chaplaincy
Western Theological Seminary
DMin in Spiritual Formation & Discernment of Place, Walking the Sabbath Way, or Wholehearted Leadership
Westminster Theological Seminary
DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling
Wheaton College
World Mission University
2. Professional & Academic Combo Doctorates
Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)
Liberty University
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
EdD in Christian Counseling or Discipleship & Mentoring
Washington University of Virginia
DCPC - Doctor of Clinical Pastoral Counseling
3. North American Academic Doctorates
Andrews University
PhD in Discipleship/Lifespan Education and Christian Formation & Discipleship or Religious Education: Christian Formation & Discipleship
Biola University (Talbot School of Theology)
Columbia International University (Columbia Biblical Seminary)
PhD in Practical Theology
***You can focus on Spiritual Formation
East Texas Baptist University (B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary)
PhD in Ministry & Formation: Spiritual Formation or Psychology & Counseling
Fuller Theological Seminary
***You can focus on Spiritual Formation
Kairos University
PhD in Transformative Leadership, Trauma-Informed Care, or Practices of Reconciliation
ThD in Personhood & Ministry, Semiotics & Ministry, or Trauma & Transformation
Liberty University
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD in Biblical Counseling
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
Neumann University
PhD in Pastoral Counseling
Northwest Nazarene University
ThD in Theology of the Church
***This doctoral program is also offered in Spanish
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
PhD in Historical Theology (Reformed Orthodoxy & Piety/Formation focus)
Regent University
PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies and Biblical Counseling, Counseling & Psychological Studies and Pastoral Counseling, or Renewal Theology & Practical Theology
Saint Leo University
***You can develop a concentration in Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling
Samford University (Beeson Divinity School)
PhD in Theology of the Church
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD in Christian Counseling
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD in Biblical Counseling or Biblical Spirituality
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
PhD in Biblical Counseling
Trinity Western University (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
PhD in Educational Ministry Studies
***You can develop a concentration in Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling
Tyndale University (Tyndale Seminary)
PhD in Spiritual Formation
United Theological Seminary
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Washington University of Virginia
ThD in Counseling & Mind Care or Spiritual Intelligence & Leadership
World Mission University
4. International Doctorates
***Usually, “Dissertation-Only” with little or no residencies required. Students need to meet with their mentor professor(s) via Zoom or FaceTime at least once a month.
Catholic Institute of Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia
ThD in Theology
Cliff College, University of Manchester (UK)
Domuni Universitas (Switzerland)
PhD in Spirituality
Durham University (UK)
Eva Burrows College (Australia)
PhD in Theology of Ministry & Mission or Spiritual Resilience or Pastoral Care
Laidlaw College (New Zealand)
PhD or ThD in Theology
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
London School of Theology, Middlesex University (UK)
PhD in Christian Spirituality & Mental Health, Christian Faith & Mental Health, Spiritual Healing, or Theological Education & Spiritual Formation
Loyola School of Theology (Philippines)
ThD in Spirituality & Pastoral Psychology
Melbourne School of Theology (Australia)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Morling College (Australia)
PhD in Theology
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Nazarene Theological College, University of Manchester (UK)
Nazarene Theological College, Australian University College of Divinity (Australia)
ThD in Spirituality
PhD in Spirituality
Oxford Brookes University (UK)
PhD in Belief & Religion
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
The Queen’s Foundation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands)
PhD in Psychology & Religion, Religion & Media, or Spirituality
Ridley College (Australia)
Ph.D. in Theology
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
St. Augustine College of South Africa (South Africa)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
South African Theological Seminary (South Africa)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
Sydney College of Divinity (Australia)
ThD in Theology or Ministry
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Trinity College, University of Dublin (Ireland)
PhD in Theology or Ministry
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
Union School of Theology, The Open University (UK)
PhD in Spiritual Formation
University of Aberdeen (UK)
PhD in Practical Theology or Ministry Studies
***Click here for info on studying for a PhD via distance.
University of Birmingham (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Bristol (UK)
PhD in Psychology & Religion
University of Cambridge (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Chester (UK)
PhD in Contemporary Spiritualities
The University of Edinburgh (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Exeter (UK)
PhD in Formation for Ministry
University of Fort Hare (South Africa)
ThD in Spirituality
University of the Free State (South Africa)
ThD in Spirituality & Spiritual Formation
University of Hull (UK)
University of Opole (Poland)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Oxford (UK)
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
University of Roehampton (UK)
University of South Africa (South Africa)
University of Sunderland (UK)
PhD in Theology
***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)
PhD in Biblical Spirituality or Spiritual Formation
***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish
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