Doctorates in Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Pastoral Counseling, and Related Disciplines

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.

SECTIONS BELOW

1. North American Professional Doctorates

2. Professional & Academic Combo Doctorates

3. North American Academic Doctorates

4. International Doctorates

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

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University

DMin in Spiritual Formation

Bakke Graduate University

DTL in Cultural Transformation

DMin in Ministry in Complex Contexts or Missional Spiritual Formation

Bethel University at Bethel Seminary

DMin in Congregational & Family Care

B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University

DMin in Ministry & Formation

Birmingham Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling or Chaplaincy

Calvin Theological Seminary

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Missional Leadership

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

Faith Baptist Bible College & 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

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

DMin in Biblical Spiritual Formation & Soul Care

Houston Graduate School of Theology

DMin in Spiritual Direction & Formation

Kairos University

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Direction

The King's Seminary at The King’s University

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Direction

Liberty University

DMin in Chaplaincy, Discipleship, Pastoral Counseling, or Spiritual Formation

DWS in Pastoral Counseling

The Master's University

DMin in Biblical Counseling

McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University

DMin in Christian Spirituality or Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling

Moody Theological Seminary at Moody Bible Institute

DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling

Nazarene Theological Seminary

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Discipleship

New Brunswick Theological Seminary

DMin in Pastoral Care & Counseling

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

DEdMin in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling

DMin in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling

Northeastern Seminary

DMin in Spiritual Formation

Oblate School of Theology

DMin in Spiritual Formation in the Local Community or Spirituality & Ministry

Oral Roberts University

DMin in Pastoral Counseling & Chaplaincy

Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University

DMin in Spiritual Formation

Portland Seminary at George Fox University

DMin in Leadership & Spiritual Formation or Semiotics, Church, & Culture

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling

Regent Divinity School at Regent University

DMin in Chaplain Ministry & Leadership or Trauma Ministry & Renewal

Richmont Graduate University

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Leadership

Shepherds Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling & Care

South College

DMin in Chaplaincy or Pastoral Counseling

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

DMin in Biblical Counseling, 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

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

DEdMin In Biblical Counseling or Christian Formation & Discipleship

DMin in Biblical Counseling, Christian Formation & Discipleship, or Educational Ministries, Discipleship & Teaching

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Soul Care or Discipleship for the 21st Century

Trinity Anglican Seminary

DMin in Ascetical Theology & Spiritual Formation or Discipleship

Tyndale Seminary at Tyndale University

DMin in Clinical Counseling & Psychotherapy, Pastoral Thanatology, or Spiritual Formation

Virginia Christian College

DMin in Spiritual Formation & Social Witness

Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University

DMin in Spirituality & Spiritual Life

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

DMin in Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders

2. Professional & Academic Combo Doctorates

Liberty University

EdD in Christian Leadership & Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Care & Counseling

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

EdD in Christian Counseling or Discipleship & Mentoring

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University

EdD in Educational Studies & Spiritual Formation

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

Beeson Divinity School at Samford University

PhD in Theology of the Church

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University

PhD in Ministry & Formation: Spiritual Formation

Columbia Biblical Seminary at Columbia International University

PhD in Practical Theology

***You can focus on Spiritual Formation

Fuller Theological Seminary

PhD in Theology & Practical Theology

***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

PhD in Christian Leadership & Spiritual Formation, Practical Theology, or Psychology & Theology

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

ThD in Applied Theology

***You can develop a concentration in Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling

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

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University

PhD in Educational Studies & Spiritual Formation

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School at Trinity Western University

PhD in Educational Ministry Studies

***You can develop a concentration in Spiritual Formation or Pastoral Counseling

United Theological Seminary

ThD in electives in Spiritual Formation

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

Washington University of Virginia

ThD in Counseling & Mind Care or Spiritual Intelligence & Leadership

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 (Doctor of Theology) in Theology

Cliff College, University of Manchester (UK)

PhD in Spirituality

Durham University (UK)

PhD in Spirituality, Theology, & Health

DThM (Doctor of Theology & Ministry)

Eva Burrows College (Australia)

PhD in Theology of Ministry & Mission or Spiritual Resilience or Pastoral Care

Laidlaw College (New Zealand)

PhD or ThD

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

London School of Theology, Middlesex University (UK)

PhD in Psychology of Religion, Spirituality, & Mental Health or Theological Education & Spiritual Formation

Loyola School of Theology

DMin in Pastoral Counseling & Spiritual Care

ThD in Spirituality & Pastoral Psychology

Melbourne School of Theology (Australia)

PhD or ThD or DMin

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

Morling College

PhD or ThD

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

Nazarene Theological College, University of Manchester (UK)

PhD in Spirituality

Oxford Brookes University (UK)

PhD 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

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

South African Theological Seminary (South Africa)

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

Stellensbosch University (South Africa)

PhD in Practical Theology & Pastoral Care

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

Tyndale Seminary, Tyndale University (Canada)

PhD in Spiritual Formation

Union School of Theology, Free University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)

PhD in Practical & Applied Theology with a Spiritual Formation focus

University of Aberdeen

PhD in Practical Theology or Ministry Studies

***Click here for info on studying for a PhD via distance.

University of Birmingham

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Bristol (UK)

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Cambridge

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

The University of Edinburgh (UK)

PhD in Ethics & Practical Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Exeter (UK)

PhD in Theology & Religion

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Hull (UK)

PhD in Theology, Religion, & Spirituality

University of Opole (Poland)

ThD in Theological Studies

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Oxford

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Pretoria (South Africa)

PhD in Practical Theology and Family Therapy

University of Roehampton

ThD in Practical Theology

University of South Africa

PhD in Christian Spirituality or Pastoral Therapy

University of Sunderland (UK)

PhD in Theology

***You can write on whatever theological topic you wish

University of Wales-Trinity Saint David (UK)

PhD in Belief and Spirituality

***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