Doctor of Ministry

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at Vision International University The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program is specifically designed to provide a higher level of pastoral competence and integration of theological principles with practical ministry than typically achieved through an M.Div. degree. This advanced program addresses the continuing educational needs of practicing ministers by renewing their faith, enhancing their professional skills, and deepening their theological understandings. Program Goals: Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry program, graduates will be able to: Prerequisites: Program Structure: The Doctor of Ministry program consists of 45 credit hours, which includes 35 credit hours of coursework and a 10 credit hour doctoral project. The coursework is designed to refine ministerial skills and deepen theological understanding while participants continue to engage in their current ministry settings. Core Courses: Students will complete seven core courses (5 credit hours each), involving extensive research and a 20-page paper on each topic. The course selection can be tailored to the student’s interests unless adjustments are needed based on previous academic performance. Upon completing the core courses, students advance to candidacy for the doctoral project. Core courses include: Emphasis Areas:
  1. Human Behavior:
    • Focuses on integrating psychological theories with pastoral counseling and addresses clinical applications, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and personal integration of psychology and theology.
  2. Education and Leadership:
    • Prepares students for leadership roles in educational settings, covering conflict resolution, human behavior management, learning psychology, and educational philosophy.
Doctoral Project: The culmination of the Doctor of Ministry program is a doctoral project that requires students to apply their learning in a practical, ministry-focused research project, demonstrating their ability to synthesize and apply theological and practical knowledge to real-world ministry challenges. Ministry Outcomes: Graduates can take on senior pastoral roles, lead church growth initiatives, engage in counseling ministries, or contribute to theological education in academic settings. The Doctor of Ministry prepares ministers to effectively address the needs of their congregations and communities with renewed vigor and enhanced skills.

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree program is designed to equip the student for a higher level of competence in the practice of ministry than that achieved in the foundational 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.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to:

Prerequisite

The Doctor of Ministry requires a prerequisite 15 graduate credit hours in Biblical Studies or Theology.

Nature of the Program

The program of studies leading to the Doctor of Ministry degree is a 45-credit (consisting of 35 credit hours in coursework and 10 credit hours for the doctoral project) program of study beyond the Master’s designed for men and women who are engaged in pastoral and related ministries. The candidates are challenged to develop their ministerial skills and to refine and articulate a biblical theology of ministry while in a setting of ministry.

Core Courses

The student will complete the following seven courses, each of which constitute five semester credit hours. A 20-page paper is to be written on each topic. The choice is the student’s, unless the committee determines a weakness in the students’ prior academic background. Upon completion of the core topics the student will be advanced to candidacy. Completion of each core topic earns 5 credit hours. Course descriptions are provided to the student in a separate document as requested. The student has the option to choose seven core courses OR choose one emphasis.

Core Courses (5 credit hours each)

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

Credits: 5

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

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of cross cultural perspectives in pastoral leadership.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of counseling, family life and pastoral leadership.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the media, leadership and the church.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of spiritual development of the pastor, church and community.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of ethics and the church in today's culture.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of conflict management and resolution in church life.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the controversy over ordination of women.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on leadership principles applied to pastoral ministry and church extension.

Credits: 5

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

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the new apostolic reformation.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychology and theology.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary theology and evangelical belief.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of renewal ministry from a historical church perspective.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of revival and church planting.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of preaching.

Credits: 5

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An independent study project with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary worship.

Credits: 5

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The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree. Through the combination of foundational coursework, diligent study, and the guidance of a doctoral project coordinator, students successfully complete projects that are both personally gratifying and that contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom.

Credits: 10

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Emphasis in Human Behavior

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of clinical applications of counseling in the Church.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychopathology, sin and demonic influence.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychotherapy, pastoral counseling and inner healing.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychology and theology.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding personality theory and therapy.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of counseling, family life and pastoral leadership.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of conflict management and resolution in church life.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

Emphasis in Education and Leadership

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding conflict resolution in educational leadership.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding human behavior and management in education.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding psychology of learning in education.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding philosophy of educational leadership.

Credits: 5

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This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding educational leadership for private school and church.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

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

Credits: 5

Enroll Online

This is an independent study project, with a focus on leadership principles applied to pastoral ministry and church extension.

Credits: 5

Enroll Online