[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students who are passionate about spreading their faith or teaching others to do the same can earn a doctorate in ministry. An online ministry doctoral degree allows graduates to become ministry professors or researchers. In the ministry teaching profession, doctorate holders can influence future religious leaders and make [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm/”]an average of $83,980 per year[/hen-ui-link]. Graduates can also be pastors and religious counselors. Graduates can start their own churches, counsel distressed people, and work in hospitals or existing churches. Payscale reports that [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Doctor_of_Ministry_(DMin)/Salary/”]the average salary for learners with this degree[/hen-ui-link] is $78,000 per year.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Doctorate in Ministry Degree Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”choice”]Choosing an Online Doctorate in Ministry Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-article-card title=”50 Best Online Colleges & Universities” href=”/rankings/online-colleges/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] A learner who pursues an online ministry doctoral degree can customize their classes. They can choose to focus on areas like evangelism, biblical studies, applied theology, children’s ministry, theological research, or pastoral counseling. Even programs without concentrations allow students to focus on a specific career. Degree candidates can choose from electives, including the psychology of religion, growing a church, theological improv, and spirituality in today’s society. Degree candidates who want to study any of these areas should check course availability before enrolling. Researching a school is especially important for those who want to be pastoral counselors. Students should also consider programs that can ordain them in their denomination. Applicants may need to check with both church officials and university representatives to determine ordainment.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many schools that offer ministry programs require students to attend church and grow in their faith. As such, it is important for learners to choose a school that aligns with their spiritual beliefs. Admission requirements also affect which university an applicant attends. For example, an institution that offers an online ministry doctoral degree may only accept applicants who have a master’s degree in a related subject and pastoral experience.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”what-to-expect”]What Else Can I Expect From an Online Doctorate in Ministry Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Each online ministry doctoral degree may look different based on student preferences and what each university offers. Ministry programs; however, often have commonalities. Students may find that many schools provide similar concentrations and courses. Below, are some of the specializations and classes that degree candidates encounter.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Concentrations Offered for an Online Doctoral Degree in Ministry[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Pastoral Counseling: [/hen-ui-text] Ministers not only profess and help others grow in faith, but they also help church members through difficult times. Learners who want to serve troubled constituents can benefit from this track. Students in this concentration take courses such as psychology, religion, and crisis intervention.

Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Head pastor, chaplain[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

Marriage and Family Ministry: The family is at the heart of many religions. This concentration allows students to learn how marriage and parenthood can affect faith. Students learn to conduct premarital counseling, help new parents, and use spirituality to keep families together. Graduates with this specialization often become head pastors or youth ministers. [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Head pastor, youth minister[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

Academic Ministry: Degree candidates who want to teach future pastors and church leaders can benefit from this concentration. Students learn to research theological issues and approach spiritual questions with academic rigor. They also study religious texts. Many graduates stay in academia as professors and researchers. [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Careers This Concentration Prepares For: Professor[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ id=”curriculum”]Curriculum for an Online Doctoral Degree in Ministry[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-link href=”#top/”]Return to the top[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”careers”]Careers with a Doctorate in Ministry[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although a doctorate in ministry is a specialized degree, graduates have many career paths. Learners with this educational background can become senior pastors, church executive directors, or college professors. Students may select electives based on the career they prefer.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Senior_Pastor/Salary/”]Senior Pastor:[/hen-ui-link] These spiritual leaders give sermons and lead ministries at churches. They may have other pastors that work under them, or they may be the only ministers at their congregations. Senior pastors at larger churches tend to earn more than their peers. They may work for any Protestant Christian sect, including Baptist and Presbyterian. [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $69,682[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Executive_Director/Salary/”]Executive Director:[/hen-ui-link] Since churches are often nonprofit organizations, they need business-minded and spiritually guided leaders to help them succeed. Executive directors oversee all church activities, from spiritual guidance to fundraising. A doctorate can help directors learn to grow congregations. Learners who want to follow this path may choose business-related electives.[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $91,936[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm/”]Postsecondary Teachers:[/hen-ui-link] University faculty members teach classes in ministry and theology. Professors can specialize in certain areas, often a subject that relates to their thesis project. Many colleges and universities require postsecondary teachers to have a doctorate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this profession will grow much faster than the average career.[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $83,980[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Projected Growth Rate: 8%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”#top/”]Return to the top[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Featured Image Credit: georgemuresan | iStock | Getty Images Plus[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]