ACADEMIC SCHOOLS OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND THEOLOGY

C. POST-GRADUATE SCHOOL IN BIBLICAL STUDIES AND THEOLOGY:

The Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree Program:

1.  Admission Requirements:

1. The applicant must be a graduate of an approved college or university with a baccalaureate degree or equivalent and must also be a graduate of an approved seminary with a minimum of 135 quarter credits in theological studies, with a Master of Divinity Degree or equivalent.
   
2. Since the Doctor of Ministry Program is a professional course of post-graduate study in ministry, the prospective D. Min. student is required to have a minimum of three (3) years of experience in a Christian ministry, such as: pastoral, chaplaincy, administration or counseling, before entering the Program.
   
3. Transcripts of all previous academic work in higher education must be submitted to the Dean of the Seminary.
   
4. The applicant shall submit a written statement giving reasons for seeking to participate in the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program, stating anticipated goals, and in general, outlining plans for reaching intended objectives.
   
5. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from other ministers.  The applicant will be interviewed by a representative of the Seminary (telephone communication will suffice, if necessary).
   

2.  Academic Course Work Requirements:
The student shall earn a minimum of forty-five (45) quarter credit hours and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, as follows:

1. Twenty (20) quarter credit hours of “Communicating the Gospel” in Practical Theology.
   
2. Ten (10) quarter credit hours, with five (5) credits in Historical Theology and five (5) credits in Systematic Theology.
   
3. Ten (10) quarter credit hours in “electives” at five (5) credits for each subject.
   
4. Five (5) quarter credit hours in the In-Service Project Dissertation.
   
5. Special consideration may be given to a post-graduate student in Resident Study, for academic credit, if requested in writing by the student and submitted to the Dean for approval.
   

3.  The Supervised In-Service Project Dissertation Requirements:
The Supervised In-Service Project/Dissertation earns five (5) quarter credit hours upon completion, which requires the student to present to the Supervisor, a written report in the form and quality of a doctoral dissertation.   This report is to contain at least 20,000 words and demonstrate professional ability, both in the academic and the professional areas of the In-Service Project. The In-Service Project is to meet the specific needs of the student's current ministry.

1. Proposal Statement
   The Proposal Statement is to be presented to the Dean for approval prior to commencing on the In-Service Project.
   The Proposal Statement should embody at least the following eight (8) elements:
   
   1. Title of the In-Service Project Dissertation.
      
   2. Statement of the problem.
      
   3. Concerns out of which the problem arose.
      
   4. Purpose of the In-Service Project.
      
   5. Delineation of the methodology to be used.
      
   6. Expected outcome(s).
      
   7. Contribution of the In-Service Project to the student’s current ministry.
      
   8. Time schedule for conducting and completing the In-Service Project.
      

2. Formal Progress Report
   Once the In-Service Project is well under way, the student must present, in writing, at least one formal progress report, high-lighting preliminary findings, problems and procedures to the Supervisor of the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program.
   
3. The scope of the In-Service Project Dissertation:
   
   1. It must make a contribution to the student’s current ministry.
      
   2. It must reflect theological thought that is Biblical, and scholarly.
      
   3. It must reveal aspects of creativity, insight, and objectivity.
      
   4. It must demonstrate mature judgment and leadership qualities.
      
4. Regardless of the time spent in the student’s Program, the final granting of the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree will be considered only on merit in regard to high attainment in scholarship and professional competence.   The D. Min. Program must be completed within a maximum of five (5) years.
   

4.  The Oral Examination Requirement:
The Oral Examination is the presentation, by the student, of the D. Min. Project Dissertation.  It will be conducted at the Seminary, before the Candidate graduates, in the presence of the Supervisor and other qualified persons appointed by the Dean.  This is usually done in the Summer Session, at the Seminary, just prior to graduation, so that the Candidate may participate in the Graduation Service, with cap and gown.

5.  Objectives and Time Limits of the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree Program:
The Program seeks to raise the student, who has at least several years of ministerial experience, to a higher level of professional competence.  The higher level of excellence of the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree Program is accomplished, not only by having the participant enroll in additional subjects of study which give a greater depth of Biblical knowledge, but also by requiring the student to participate in the Supervised In-Service Project.   This Project shall meet the specific needs of the student’s current ministry.

Since the participant is expected to engage in self-directed Independent Study, performed in actual ministerial situations, a large part of the learning experience will take place within the context of the student’s own current ministry.  It should be remembered that regardless of the time spent in the Program, the final granting of the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree will be considered only on merit, in regard to high attainment in scholarship, Biblical goals attained and professional competence.  The D. Min. Program must be completed within a time limit of a minimum two (2) years and a maximum of five (5) years.

6.  Tuition and Fees for the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) Degree Program:
Tuition cost is $60.00 per quarter credit hour, plus a $30.00 registration fee.

1. There are forty (40) credits that must be earned by completing eight (8) academic subjects (as presented under #7) of the Program.
   
2. There are five (5) credits that must be earned by completing the Supervised In-Service Project Dissertation (as presented under #3) of the Program.
   
3. There are a total of forty-five (45) quarter credit hours that must be earned in the Program.  The total cost, including the $30.00 Registration Fee, is $2,730.00.  This covers the Tuition and Registration Fee only and will not cover the cost of books, etc., for this Program.
   
4. A monthly payment plan is available at forty-five ($45.00) dollars a month, or more, for up to sixty (60) months, at no interest, until paid.   However, the Registration Fee must first be paid, with the Application for Admission form, which is non-refundable.
   

7  Description of Academic Courses and Subjects for the D.Min. Degree Program:

1. Twenty (20) quarter credits of "Communicating the Gospel" in Practical Theology
   
   P-1000 CHRISTIAN COUNSELING (5)
   An excellent study and summarization from a Biblical standard about counseling methodology and major problems which people face today.
   P-1010 ADULT EDUCATION (5)
   This study is a practical guide to "how-to" get results from adults through Biblical Christian education.
   P-1015 PASTORAL THEOLOGY (5)
   This subject is designed to give the pastor a Biblical and practical direction in the overall ministry of a congregation.
   P-1025 WORLD EVANGELIZATION (5)
   An introduction to the practical evangelical outreach toward a world Christian movement to carry the eternal gospel to every nation.
   
2. Ten (10) quarter credits: with five (5) credits in Historical Theology and five (5) credits in Systematic Theology , as follows:
   
   H-1030 THE CONSERVATIVE REFORMATION (5)
   A classical conservative study of the history and theology of the Reformation.
   S-1035 CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY (5)
   An in-depth study of evangelical orthodox Systematic Theology.
   
3. Ten (10) quarter credits in "Electives" at five (5) credits for each subject.  Select only two (2) subjects, as follows:
   
   H-1040 HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (5)
   This study presents an overview of the Church from the beginning, around 60 AD, through seven (7) periods, including modern Christianity.
   S-1050 THEOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT (5)
   A sound conservative comprehensive and scholarly introduction of the theology of the New Testament.
   P-1055 PARENTS AND TEENAGERS (5)
   A guide to solving problems and building better relationships.
   P-1060 CHRISTIAN MISSIONS (5)
   This study gives the student an examination of the Divine Call, recruitment, theological issues, cultural problems and much more.
   P-1065 RELIGION TODAY (5)
   A study covering the major cults, occult, non-Christian and secular religions of today.
   
4. Five (5) quarter credit hours in the In-Service Project Dissertation.
   

8.  Assignments and Textbooks:
Assignments and a textbook list for each subject of study will be sent to the student upon acceptance into the D. Min. Degree Program.  Upon successful completion of the Academic Subjects, additional material will be forwarded to the student regarding the In-Service Project Dissertation portion of the Program.

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