Rooted in Faith, Approved by the State, Online, and Affordable: Your Path to Christian Education in California
Doctor of Christian Studies (DCS)
A 60-credit professional doctorate in advanced Christian scholarship and original professional integration, combining an approved research plan, a peer-reviewed research output, and a substantial integration portfolio.
Professional Doctorate
60 doctoral credits
Supervised online + correspondence
Professional scholarship doctorate
The Doctor of Christian Studies is a professional doctorate in advanced Christian scholarship and original professional integration. It supports educators, ministers, apologists, authors, and scholar-practitioners whose research is translated into a defensible contribution to Christian understanding or practice. It is a complete professional doctorate, not an unfinished PhD, and requires doctoral-level judgment, a credible peer-reviewed research output, and substantial evaluated integration.
Designed for mature Christian scholars and practitioners who want to connect serious research with a practical contribution such as a curriculum, ministry framework, governance tool, policy proposal, publication programme, or other carefully evaluated Christian resource. It is especially suited to experienced servants who can demonstrate doctoral-level judgment, sustained scholarly engagement, and a clear setting in which research can be translated into responsible practice.
60 doctoral credits: Research Plan and Scholarly Readiness Portfolio (10), Peer-Reviewed Research Output (20), and Professional Doctoral Integration Portfolio with completion verification (30).
For full module titles, credit details, descriptors, assessment information, and route-specific requirements, use the detailed Programme Guide
Doctoral research planning
Advanced Christian scholarship
Peer-reviewed research output
Professional integration
Evidence & evaluation
Doctoral integration portfolio
Study is supervised online and by correspondence, with communication and submission arrangements suitable for serious doctoral work, including lower-bandwidth access where needed. Assessment follows route-specific doctoral deliverables and published rubrics. Credit is awarded for demonstrated achievement, and every required component, integrity gate, correction, and final examination or completion review must be passed.
Applicants normally hold a relevant master's degree or approved equivalent and submit a scholarly writing sample plus a 1,000-2,000-word concept identifying a Christian Studies problem, proposed research approach, and intended professional contribution. Admission also depends on research readiness, writing capacity, ethical maturity, supervision, resources, and fit with OCU's Christian purpose.
Normally 24-36 months; earliest normal final submission at 18 months; maximum active registration 60 months.
OCU does not guarantee employment, professional licensure, ordination, immigration outcomes, transfer credit, credential evaluation, admission elsewhere, or recognition by third parties. If you have a specific external requirement, please confirm it directly with the relevant authority before enrolling. Current charges are maintained separately on the Fees and Charges page.
Ready to explore this programme?
Apply when you are ready, or review the detailed programme guide before making your decision.
