Doctor of Practical Theology

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Doctor of Practical Theology

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The Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.) is an advanced professional degree for practitioners seeking to apply theological principles to their professional practice. The typical degree candidate is a part-time student who continues his/her full-time professional responsibilities. The modern development of this program in the U.K. (D.P.T.) has been greatly influenced by educators and other professionals affiliated with the Association of Practical Theology (APT).

The Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.) is typically a multidisciplinary program designed for consideration, reflection, examination and application of appropriate theological principles to practice-based settings. Further, it serves as a foundation for an original project contributing to solutions and development of the student's organization and/or profession. Such a program responds to the need for structured learning and theological development among professionals serving Church, non-profit, public, and private sector organizations.

Typical concentrations (or majors) include: Missions, evangelism

Evangelism

Evangelism is the practice of attempting to convert people to a religion. The term is used most often in reference to Christianity, but is also used to refer to other religions, including Judaism, Islam, and less frequently, Buddhism and Hinduism....
, pastoral care, pastoral counseling, psychology of religion

Psychology of religion

Psychology of religion is the psychology Research of religious experiences, beliefs, and activities....
, chaplaincy, church growth and development, Christian administration, homiletics

Homiletics

Homiletics , in theology the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. The one who practices or studies homiletics is called a homilist....
, spiritual formation, pastoral theology, Church administration, Biblical counseling, Biblical archeology, higher education, college/university/seminary administration, religious education, Christian management, church music, social work, spiritual direction, spiritual theology, and many other areas.

The Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.) customarily integrates theological concepts in the context of professional practice. Most programs customarily include:

Practice-based research and enquiry-based learning methods, in which the student's own professional context becomes a primary resource in research, and

Courses consisting of assignments, reading, and research designed to strengthen writing and critical thinking skills while integrating theological principles and concepts with the context of the student's professional practice.

The Doctor of Practical Theology (D.P.T., D.Th.P.) offers significant preparation for professional practice across a wide range of contexts and professions, such as:

Public sector professions, such as health care, education, social services,

Caring professions, such as psychotherapy
Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is an intentional interpersonal relationship used by trained psychotherapists to aid a wiktionary:Client in problems of living. It aims to increase the individual's sense of health and reduce their subjective sense of discomfort....
, pastoral care and counseling, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation, social work and community development,

Church ministers in parish, congregational or chaplaincy settings

Non-profit professions, such as charities, non-governmental organizations, cultural organizations, or the arts,

Business and industry professionals wishing to deepen their understanding of the human, organizational, ethical, and theological dimensions of their professional practice.

The Doctor of Practical Theology (D.Th.P.) is offered by only a few seminaries and divinity schools in the U.S., but is more commonly offered by seminary and divinity schools in France

France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
(D.Th.P.) and Canada

Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
(D.Th.P.), along with the more modern development of the degree in the U.K. (D.P.T., Pr.D.).