Degree Program

Doctor of Philosophy in Digital Communication & AI Ministry

Faith-Integrated · Online · Self-Paced

11 Modules

Full Curriculum

12–16 Months

Program Duration

$4,400

Pay in Full

$400/course

Per Course Option

Program Overview

The most consequential questions of our era sit at the intersection of faith, technology, and human identity. This doctoral program prepares scholar-practitioners to conduct rigorous research at that frontier—examining how AI systems shape religious experience, how digital platforms reconfigure community and belonging, and how the Church can provide prophetic leadership in a surveillance-capitalist age. Students engage primary AI research, communication theory, digital missiology, and theological anthropology to produce original scholarship with real-world ministry impact. Designed for leaders ready to advance the field, not just enter it.

Academic Pathway

Postgraduate Certificate

Master's Required

8 courses

Postgraduate Diploma

Master's Required

10 courses total

Doctor of Philosophy

Master's Required

11 courses total

No coursework is repeated. Each credential builds toward the next.

Video Lectures

PDF Materials

Graded Quizzes

Full Curriculum

11 modules across 11 courses

DCD1101 – Advanced Foundations: AI Theory, Media Ecology & Theological Anthropology

1 lessons

DCD1101 – Advanced Foundations: AI Theory, Media Ecology & Theological Anthropology

DCD1102 – Advanced Research Methods in Digital Ministry Studies

1 lessons

DCD1102 – Advanced Research Methods in Digital Ministry Studies

DCD1103 – AI Ethics, Governance & Theological Regulation

1 lessons

DCD1103 – AI Ethics, Governance & Theological Regulation

DCD1104 – Advanced AI Tools: Research Applications & Critical Scholarship

1 lessons

DCD1104 – Advanced AI Tools: Research Applications & Critical Scholarship

DCD1105 – Digital Hermeneutics: Scripture, Text & AI-Mediated Interpretation

1 lessons

DCD1105 – Digital Hermeneutics: Scripture, Text & AI-Mediated Interpretation

DCD1106 – Platform Governance, Surveillance Capitalism & Religious Freedom

1 lessons

DCD1106 – Platform Governance, Surveillance Capitalism & Religious Freedom

DCD1107 – AI Pastoral Care: Machine Empathy, Chatbots & Ethics of Digital Soul Care

1 lessons

DCD1107 – AI Pastoral Care: Machine Empathy, Chatbots & Ethics of Digital Soul Care

DCD1108 – Digital Missiology: Global Church Growth in the AI Age

1 lessons

DCD1108 – Digital Missiology: Global Church Growth in the AI Age

DCD1109 – Future Technologies: XR, Metaverse Ministry & Transhumanism Theology

1 lessons

DCD1109 – Future Technologies: XR, Metaverse Ministry & Transhumanism Theology

DCD1110 – Leading Digital Transformation in Religious Organizations

1 lessons

DCD1110 – Leading Digital Transformation in Religious Organizations

DCD1111 – Doctoral Capstone: Research Synthesis & Dissertation Proposal

1 lessons

DCD1111 – Doctoral Capstone: Research Synthesis & Dissertation Proposal

Video PDF Quiz Requires enrollment

What You Will Gain

Knowledge

✓Advanced research at the intersection of AI, digital platforms, and theology
✓Theoretical frameworks for digital religious experience and practice
✓Scholarly discourse on technological anthropology and faith
✓Dissertation-level expertise in digital ministry scholarship

Skills

✓Design and execute original doctoral research in digital ministry
✓Critically analyze emerging technologies through theological lenses
✓Produce publishable scholarship in digital theology and communication
✓Lead institutional digital strategy at the organizational level

Ministry Application

✓Serve as a thought leader in the emerging field of digital theology
✓Develop institutional policies for responsible AI use in ministry
✓Train and mentor the next generation of digital ministry leaders
✓Contribute foundational scholarship to digital ministry literature

How This Program Changes You

Beyond knowledge — the tangible shifts in how you think, lead, and serve.

Produce original doctoral research at the frontier of digital theology

Shape institutional AI policy with both technical depth and theological integrity

Publish and present scholarship that defines an emerging academic field

Lead with authority in conversations about technology, faith, and ethics

Mentor the next generation of digital ministry scholars and practitioners

Where Graduates Apply This

Real-world contexts where your training makes a difference.

Church Communication

Social media strategy, content creation, digital outreach campaigns

Ministry Technology

AI tool evaluation, digital platform management, online discipleship

Nonprofit Digital Strategy

Digital fundraising, community engagement, brand storytelling

Seminary & Education

Teaching digital ethics, media literacy, and technology theology

Online Community Building

Virtual congregation management, live-stream ministry, digital small groups

Academic Research

Doctoral publishing, conference leadership, journal peer review

AI & Technology Applications

Practical AI skills you'll develop within a theological framework.

Original research on AI's impact on religious experience and practice

Institutional AI governance framework development

Advanced NLP and generative AI evaluation for ministry contexts

Digital anthropology research on online faith communities

AI ethics policy creation for denominations and networks

Scholarly publishing on technological theology and digital ecclesiology

Leadership Outcomes

How this program builds your capacity to lead.

Direct church-wide digital communication strategies

Lead AI adoption conversations with theological grounding

Build and manage online ministry teams

Shape institutional policies on technology and ethics

Lead doctoral-level research in digital theology

Shape denominational policy on technology and AI

This Program Prepares You For

Digital ministry strategy and leadershipChurch and ministry communication directionAI-informed content creation for faith communitiesOnline community building and discipleshipTeaching digital ethics in seminary contextsDoctoral-level research and academic publishing

Program Learning Areas

Advanced Digital Communication Theory

Doctoral Research Methods

Dissertation Development

AI & Theological Anthropology

Digital Platform Analysis

Religious Experience Online

Academic Writing & Publishing

Ethics of Emerging Technology

Institutional Digital Strategy

Digital Ecclesiology

Capstone Dissertation

Stackable credentials: Earn credentials while progressing toward your degree. Each milestone — Certificate, Diploma, and Degree — is awarded automatically as you complete courses. No coursework is repeated.

Tuition Options

Choose the plan that works for you

Pay in FullBest Value

$4,400

one-time · no interest

Per Course11 courses

$400/course

pay as you progress · flexible

11 online modules

Video lectures per lesson

Downloadable PDF materials

Graded module quizzes

Certificate of completion

Lifetime access

Apply Now

Payment plan selected after application approval

Learn More & Apply — $400/course

Pay per course or in full · Application fee waived

Questions? Contact

Grant James

Director of Admissions

📞 678-466-0714 ✉ admissions@southgeauga.com