{{Short description|Doctoral degree}}
[[File:Desmond Tutu Honorary Doctorate Vienna.jpg|thumb|Conferral of a Doctorate of Theology ''[[honoris causa]]'' on [[Desmond Tutu]] (right) by the [[University of Vienna]] in 2009.]]
'''Doctor of Theology''' ({{langx|la|Doctor Theologiae}}, abbreviated '''DTh''', '''ThD''', '''DTheol''', or '''Dr. theol.''') is a [[terminal degree]] in the academic discipline of [[theology]]. The ThD, like the ecclesiastical [[Doctor of Sacred Theology]], is an advanced research degree equivalent to the [[Doctor of Philosophy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Structure of U.S. Education Systems: Research Doctorate Degrees|url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/doctorate.doc|publisher=U.S. Department of Education|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Degree Program Standards|url=https://www.ats.edu/uploads/accrediting/documents/degree-program-standards.pdf|website=ATS|publisher=Association of Theological Schools|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

== Terminology ==
In the academic study of theology, often deeply rooted in the Christian religion, the nomenclature of doctoral degrees varies between Doctor of Theology, [[Doctor of Philosophy]], and [[Doctor of Sacred Theology]]. However, [[Doctor of Ministry]] is generally understood as a [[professional doctorate]], whereas [[Doctor of Divinity]] is an academic doctorate in the UK and an honorary doctorate in the US where it is often awarded  as [[Honorary degree|''honoris causa'']].{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

=== United States ===
In the United States, some of the older theological seminaries began offering the ThD as an equivalent to the research [[Doctor of Philosophy]]. In [[Princeton Theological Seminary]], for example, this practice was inherited from the German system of education, since the professors involved in establishing the doctoral program were trained in German universities. Though the PhD was the doctorate of arts faculties in German universities (called the philosophy faculty in Germany, hence the Ph), Princeton Theological Seminary has since switched to using Doctor of Philosophy as its main designation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://phd75.ptsem.edu/history/|title=History - PhD Anniversary|website=phd75.ptsem.edu|publisher=Princeton Theological Seminary|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826045403/http://phd75.ptsem.edu/history/|archive-date=26 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> A similar shift happened at [[Harvard Divinity School]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hds.harvard.edu/academics/degree-programs|title=Degree Programs|website=hds.harvard.edu|publisher=Harvard Divinity School|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref> As of 2024, five [[Association of Theological Schools]] accredited schools currently accept students to ThD programs: [[Duke Divinity School]], [[Kairos University]], [[Northwest Nazarene University]]'s Graduate School of Theology, [[Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary]], and [[United Theological Seminary]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Approved Degrees |url=https://www.ats.edu/Approved-Degrees |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=www.ats.edu |language=en}}</ref>

Due to the secular push in doctoral studies, some ThD programs have moved to other known accreditation, like the [[Association for Biblical Higher Education]] (ABHE), [[Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]] (TRACS), or The Council of Private Colleges of America (CPCA).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Association for Biblical Higher Education: Home|url=https://www.abhe.org/|access-date=2020-08-19|website=Association for Biblical Higher Education|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meeting A Higher Standard |url=https://tracs.org/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=TRACS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Council Of Private Colleges Of America |url=https://cpca-edu.us/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=cpca-edu.us}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom ===
In the United Kingdom, the Doctor of Theology is a relatively new academic doctoral programme.<ref>{{cite web |title=Degrees of the University |url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/university/governance/Ordinance-Docs/Ordinances-.pdf |website=Ordinances |publisher=University of Birmingham |access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> Certain universities have begun offering it as a form of research-based professional doctorate, not unlike the [[Doctor of Education]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Professional Doctorates |url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgr/teaching-learning/doctoral.aspx |website=University of Birmingham |access-date=2 March 2021}}</ref> To distinguish the more practical nature of the degree, some British universities have adopted the term [[Doctor of Practical Theology]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/research/thr/practical-theology-doctorate.aspx|title=DPT Practical Theology Doctorate|website=www.birmingham.ac.uk|publisher=University of Birmingham|access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Doctor Of Theology}}
[[Category:Religious degrees|Theology, Doctor]]
[[Category:Doctoral degrees|Theology]]