Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

The purpose of this degree program is to equip the student for a higher level of competence in the practice of ministry than that achieved in the foundation work normally resulting in an M.Div. degree. The Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed to serve the need of ministers for an experience of continuing education which renews the personal life of faith, further develops professional competence, and stimulates continued growth in biblical and theological foundations for ministry.

Nature of the Program

Admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program is on the basis of high competence in theology and ministry, as well as motivation to do research in a recognized area of ministry. Competence in theology may be demonstrated by having completed a minimum of a Master of Arts in Theology degree or equivalent with a balanced curriculum, including disciplines in biblical studies, ethics, and studies in ministry. Competence in ministry may be demonstrated by a documented minimum of three years of full-time ministerial service or five years part-time service. A complete transcript of previous academic work is to be submitted before an application for admission can be acted on.

Core Courses:

The student will complete five core courses from the listed programs, each of which constitute five semester credit hours. A 20 page paper is to be written on each topic. Upon completion of the core topics the student will be advanced to candidacy. Course listing descriptions are provided to the student in a separate document as requested.  

Prerequisites:  15 graduate credit hours in bible/theology.

The Doctor of Ministry degree requires 40 credits: 25 for core courses and 15 for the Doctoral Project.

Program Total:    40 credit hours

Guided Readings

Guided readings are to reflect an area of research that is directed toward the writing of the doctoral project. The student is to choose guided readings as approved by the Doctoral Committee, to read and reflect on; intellectually, spiritually, and vocationally. These readings must then be documented in the form of an annotated bibliography with synoptic abstracts of the works that have been read. This exercise is an opportunity for the student to begin his or her doctoral research. There is no minimum or maximum amount of words to be written, but the writings must be comprehensive enough to cover the topic. This primarily constitutes Chapter 2 of the doctoral project (Literature Review). The completed Guided Readings are a part of the doctoral project.

Doctoral Proposal

The student is to then write a proposal for the Doctorate, describing the project according to the prescribed format. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee of the University. The process and format for a Doctoral Proposal is described in Research Writing Made Easy and the resource titled Steps to Completing Your Doctoral Project/Dissertation. These resources will be provided by the Student Services Department.

Doctoral Project

The student is then (upon approval of the proposal) to begin writing his or her Doctoral Project, according to the specific format. The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree, and is what provides the right to be called “Doctor.” It is worth 15 credits towards the degree program. The guidelines for the writing of the Project are again found in the book Research Writing Made Easy, and with the help of your doctoral project coordinator, you will be able to complete your goal.

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Choose one of the following emphases:

CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
Course Number
Course Title
CC840
Clinical Applications of Counseling in the Church
CC850
Psychopathology, Sin and Demonic Influence
CC860
Psychotherapy, Pastoral Counseling and Inner Healing
CC870
Psychology and Theology: A Personal Integration
CC880
Personality Theory, Therapy: A Christian Worldview

 
 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Course Number
Course Title
ED810
Conflict Resolution in Educational Leadership
ED820
Human Behavior and Management in Education
ED830
Psychology of Learning in Education
ED840
Philosophy of Educational Leadership
ED850
Educational Leadership for Private School and Church

 

You may choose five of the following courses:

Course Number
Course Title
DM800

Leadership in Pastoral Care: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of leadership in pastoral care.
DM801

Church Growth and Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of church growth and leadership.
DM802

Cross Cultural Perspectives in Pastoral Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of cross cultural perspectives in pastoral leadership.
DM803

Counseling, Family Life and Pastoral Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of counseling, family life and pastoral leadership.
DM804

The Media, Leadership and the Church: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the media, leadership and the church.
DM805

Spiritual Development of the Pastor, Church and Community: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of spiritual development of the pastor, church and community.
DM806

Ethics and the Church in today’s Culture – A Pastoral Perspective: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of ethics and the church in today’s culture.
DM807

Conflict Management and Resolution in Church Life: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of conflict management and resolution in church life.
DM808

Philosophy of Church Corporate Management: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of philosophy of church corporate management.
DM809

Women in Ministry: The Controversy Over Ordination of Women: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the controversy over ordination of women.
DM810

Leadership Principles Applied to Pastoral Ministry and Church Extension: Registration in this course entitles the student to the services related to the “core topic” papers for Doctorate of Ministry requirement “Component Two”.   The student will select a core topic and write a 20-page paper.
DM811

Missions in the 21st Century: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of missions in the 21st century.
DM812

The New Apostolic Reformation: Paradigms and Procedures: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the new apostolic reformation.
DM813

Psychology and Theology: Conflictual or Complementary: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychology and theology.
DM814

Contemporary Theology and Evangelical Belief: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary theology and evangelical belief.
DM815

Creationism, Evolution, and Biblical Theology: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of creationism, evolution, and biblical theology.
DM816

Renewal Ministry from a Historical Church Perspective: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of renewal ministry from a historical church perspective.
DM817

Revival and Church Planting – Principles of Translation: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of revival and church planting.
DM818

Preaching: Its place and Importance in Contemporary Worship: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of preaching.
DM819

Contemporary Worship: The Strengths and Weaknesses: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary worship.