Doctor of Theology (Latin:Doctor Theologiae, abbreviated D.Th., Th.D., D.Theol., or Dr. theol.) is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy. Theology is defined as the systematic and rational study of concepts of God and of the nature of religious ideas.