The Purpose of the Program: The Doctor of Ministry degree is an advanced professional degree designed for the continuing development of those involved in vocational ministry. Since it is not oriented towards teaching or research in graduate theological studies, the Doctor of Ministry degree is distinct from the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) degrees. The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to enhance professional competence by expanding upon an initial foundation of theology and ministry experience, to enable those in vocational ministry to enhance current strengths, address areas of weakness, and increase overall effectiveness.
The Doctor of Ministry degree is available with emphasis in Pastoral Ministry and Christian Counseling. The major areas of emphasis are contextual in design and purpose. It is meant to interface with your current ministry to maximize the academic and experience relationship.
Admission Requirements: In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Seminary, applicants for the Doctor of Ministry program are required to have a Master of Divinity or its equivalent which maintains academic standards similar to those of MSBBC&S, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale).
Candidacy Requirements: The Doctor of Ministry degree program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of study beyond the Master of Divinity, or a minimum of 60 semester hours beyond the Master of Arts. All students specializing in counseling must meet the counseling prerequisites. This program is designed to meet the professional needs of those preparing or practicing a ministry as pastor, evangelist, missionary, chaplain, or Christian Counselor.
Internship/Practicum: Doctor of Ministry with Christian Counseling emphasis students are required to complete an internship/practicum to complete the Doctor of Ministry degree.
Doctor of Ministry Project: Doctor of Ministry students are required to complete a Dissertation. All drafts and final copies of the Dissertation should be prepared in conformity with the latest edition of Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Thesis, and Dissertations.
Core Doctor of Ministry Requirements
It is expected that each student will take at least two academic years to complete his/her requirements for the Doctor of Ministry Degree. Each candidate for this degree must demonstrate familiarity with at least one Biblical language: Greek or Hebrew. This requirement may be met by a demonstration of having completed at the graduate level at least six (6) semester hours of work in either Greek or Hebrew. The Core requirements for all Doctor of Ministry students are as follows:
The student completing requirements in the Doctor of Ministry program will be able to:
- evaluate their own personal, spiritual, and professional development.
- assess and construct biblical ministries in a variety of contemporary contexts.
- conduct biblically and theologically integrated professional applied research within their chosen field of study.
- manifest a maturing and Spirit-filled character.
- enhance identified ministerial skills such as preaching, leadership, administration, counseling, spiritual formation, educational programming, and communication.
- communicate God’s Word effectively through preaching, teaching, writing, or other media; and
- contribute to the practice of ministry for greater local church and parachurch effectiveness.
First Year
|
CE801 Cults and Isms |
3 |
PM806 Contemporary Ethical Issues |
3 |
|
NT801 Pastoral Epistles |
3 |
CO810 Issues in Counseling |
3 |
|
BU700 Seminar in Church and Non-Profit Adm. |
3 |
700 or 800 Level Elective |
3 |
|
PM801 *D. Min Reading I |
1 |
PM802 *D. Min. Reading II |
1 |
|
Total |
10 |
Total |
10 |
Second Year
|
PH802 Philosophy of Religion |
3 |
TH811 New Testament Theology |
3 |
|
TH810 Old Testament Theology |
3 |
PM832 Doctoral Dissertation II |
3 |
|
PM831 Doctoral Dissertation I |
3 |
800 Level Elective |
3 |
|
Total |
9 |
Total |
9 |