Divinity is an academic discipline structured to ready candidates for priestly or pastoral ministry. With each sect, the program of study may differ. By the end of studies, the newly ordained minister should be able to preach, minister to the needy, interpret scripture and doctrine, and lead worship services.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.