•  The Ph.D. in Religion, also called Ph.D. in Religious Studies
•  The Ph.D. in Metaphysics

If you are a teacher, "preacher" or independent scholar in the field of emerging, alternative, esoteric, gnostic or modern spirituality, you may study here and earn your Ph.D. by distance learning. You may take the course by correspondence thru the postal mail service, or access it here by internet.

Please read the History of the PhD so that you fully understand the degree you are earning. Note the Doctor of Philosophy originally was a religious degree and still can be obtained in its original form in Seminaries and religious Universities around the world.  The Esoteric Theological Seminary, the educational institution of the Esoteric Interfaith Church, Inc. is part of that unbroken heritage of religious schools, but we are unique in our alternative esoteric theology, lack of dogma, emerging spirituality studies, and flexible distance learning program. Read our entire FAQ page for information on our legal Degree Granting Authority and exemption from accreditation. Degrees earned here are unaccredited religious degrees, not to be confused with a Ph.D. in Physics, English, Chemistry or some other academic field.
Our programs are open only to our ordained ministers, so you must first apply for ordination. (Ordination tuition is waived when you enter any doctoral program at the same time. Instructions below.)

Just follow these easy steps:

1. Fill out the Ordination Application but do not pay ordination tuition. Fill out the  Ph.D. Application.
2. If accepted, pay one-time Tuition Fee of $890.00.

The following steps can be completed in any order:

3. Email scanned copy or snail mail to the Seminary any college level transcripts you have on any subject, not just religion classes.  We need to see all transcripts you have because they will be listed as transfer credits on your new transcript from the Seminary.  Send high school transcript only if it shows religion classes. Email a list of all other religion classes, spirituality classes, seminars, workshops or studies you have completed.
4. Submit a list of spiritual or religious life experience you want to receive credit for. (Example: working as a counselor, spiritual writer, healer, intuitive reader, youth pastor, assistant pastor, missionary, outreach, charity work, etc.)
5. Take our fun online Ph.D. Religion course (some of which may be waived depending on the above)
6. Submit your spiritual history (tell the story of religion & spirituality in your life from childhood to present)
7. Submit your 2000 word thesis on any religion / spiritual topic. We prefer you submit your thesis by email as a .doc file, but you can print it out and snail mail it, if need be.  

If these requirements are too much for your schedule, you might wish to receive the theological equivalent of the Ph.D., the Doctor of Theology --Th.D.  Or you may wish to pursue a Doctor of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry degree from our Seminary. These are time honored religious doctoral degrees which take much less time and have lower tuition fees, but still allow you to attach Dr. to your name and letters after your name (post-nominal letters).

Your Thesis:  

PLEASE NOTE:  If you have special circumstances which prevent you from making the entire $890 up front, we do have a Payment plan available.