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2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Ministry DMin

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Skip Bell, Director

Purpose

Prompted by the promise of Christ’s soon return, the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University is designed to develop spiritually mature and responsible professionals in ministry for worldwide church leadership.

Program Description

The Doctor of Ministry program offers a professional doctoral degree for people who seek advanced competencies in evangelism, ministry and mission. The program enables people to grow in these areas within the framework of a biblical model of leadership. The program is normally offered to professionals who are in active ministry.

Course modules include teaching intensives at various North American and international sites. Concentrations are offered in Chaplaincy, Discipleship and Biblical Spirituality, Evangelism and Church Growth, Family Ministry,  Leadership, Missional Church: A Biblical Response to Western Culture, Organizational Leadership, Pastoral Ministry (Spanish), Preaching, Urban Ministry, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Doctor of Ministry modules, including the intensive sessions, are taught by faculty teams of seminary professors with appropriate academic expertise and professionals from the field with experience in evangelism, ministry and mission. Teaching methodology combines appropriate methods and technology with collegial dialogue to encourage a creative learning environment. Faculty aim to facilitate balanced spiritual, professional, and theological formation that affects the individual, the family, and the ministry group. Participants develop a deeper personal experience, which leads to a strengthening of their family life as well as a greater commitment to ministry. They learn to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection, which helps them establish a biblical model of servant leadership. Graduates from the program will be able to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of their churches and communities and develop and implement appropriate and effective ministries.

Program Outcomes

The Doctor of Ministry program seeks to develop the person, knowledge, and practice of its students.  While the program is structured around certain areas of concentration, the following outcomes are important to evaluate for all students. 

Being

1.   Develop deeper biblical spirituality.

2.   Experience enrichment of personal and family life.

3.   Intensify commitment to ministry.

4.   Develop an Adventist perspective of evangelism, mission, and ministry.

5.   Experience positive collegial relationships.

6.   Develop a global view of society and ministry.

Knowing

7.   Gain theoretical knowledge that contributes to advanced ministry.

8.   Develop an understanding of the biblical model of servant leadership.

Doing

9.    Able to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection.

10.  Able to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of churches and communities.

11.  Develop skills that facilitate more effective ministry.

12.  Able to articulate theological and theoretical understandings that advance global ministry.

13.  Develop habits of study that contribute to lifelong learning.

Concentration-specific outcomes based on the program outcomes are listed on the program website.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent.
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Demonstrate high professional and personal potential for the gospel ministry.
  • Have an equivalent of at least three years of experience in ministry subsequent to the first graduate theological degree.
  • Supply satisfactory recommendations.
  • Submit a 1500–2500 word double-spaced paper that discusses their personal spiritual journey and sets forth their purpose for seeking the Doctor of Ministry degree. The paper should manifest theological reflection and a familiarity with current literature in pastoral ministry.
  • Applicants from other faiths may be accepted into the program, provided they meet admission requirements and represent high moral integrity with a character, lifestyle, and spiritual commitment reflective of the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
  • Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed (applicants for non-English programs excepted).

Admission Procedure. Applicants must submit those items specified in the  Graduate Academic Policies  and in the Admission and Evaluation Policies  Seminary admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed in Academic Policies Applying to all Programs , students must fulfill the following requirements for the DMin degree:

General Requirements 18 Credits

GSEM 796 - DMin Project

Credits: 6
A DMin project is a professional project that integrates theological reflection, scholarly research and practical ministry. The project contributes to the enhancement of ministry in the church and to the growth and development of the ministry professional.

Grade Mode: Satisfactory w/DG (S,U,I,W,DG)
Repeatable: Repeatable up to 6 credits
College Code: SEM

GSEM 706 - Spiritual and Theological Foundations for Ministry

Credits: 8
This is a foundational module required of all DMin students. The module builds the spiritual and theological basis from which the practice of ministry and mission grows and seeks to lead the student into a self reflection and examination of life and belief.

Grade Mode: Normal Sem (A-F,I,DG,DN,W)
College Code: SEM

GSEM 700 - DMin Program Orientation

Credits: 0
Registration for accepted students preparing for their first module intensive. Registration for this title indicates half-time status.

Grade Mode: Noncredit (NC,W)
Repeatable: Repeatable
College Code: SEM

GSEM 788 - DMin Project Continuation

Credits: 0
Persons who have completed all registrations of module and project credits required for the DMin degree maintain their enrollment status by registration for DMin Project Continuation each subsequent semester until completing or leaving the program. Rated as full-time student status.

Grade Mode: Noncredit (NC, W)
Repeatable: Repeatable
College Code: SEM

GSEM 789 - DMin Program Continuation

Credits: 0
Program participants register in semesters between module intensives for DMin Program Continuation to maintain current student status in all semesters. Rated as half-time student status.

Grade Mode: Noncredit (NC, W)
Repeatable: Repeatable
College Code: SEM

Other modules 14 Credits

 In one of the following Concentrations.

Total Credits: 32

Additional Information:

Financial Plans

Financial plans are available to assist NAD employees, international students, cohort groups, and others. See the DMin website (www.doctorofministry.com/about/costs) or contact the DMin office for further information.

Modes of Delivery

In order to make the program accessible to ministry professionals, the professor contact portions of course modules are offered as intensives on-campus and at off-campus locations.

Project Requirements

  • Students take GSEM 790  in preparation for their project. A statement explaining the philosophy of a Doctor of Ministry project, including guidelines for its development and preparation, is provided when GSEM 790  is taken. A project proposal must be submitted and accepted.
  • The project, which should address a problem or issue directly relevant to the ministry context of the participant, is developed and implemented in an in-ministry situation. The approach of the project is normally developmental with formative evaluation. The project should be developed in consultation with the student’s adviser. Regulations governing the style and format of project documents are found in Andrews University Standards for Written Work.
  • During the third and fourth years of the curricular program, students must register for GSEM 796 . If the project is still in progress after this time, the student must register for GSEM 788  DMin Project Continuation (0 cr) and pay the doctoral project continuation fee for each additional semester.
  • When students are unable to demonstrate adequate writing abilities they will be required to hire an editor at their expense.
  • Students must pass an oral project assessment designed to test the candidate’s ability to integrate learning and the practice of ministry. The project assessment must be successfully completed no later than four weeks prior to graduation.

Time Limits. DMin students must complete all courses and modules and pass an oral assessment of the project within six years from the time they begin course work. In special circumstances and upon written request, an extension may be granted for one year. There is a minimum threshold of project work that must be completed before a request for an extension will be considered. Tuition for continuation equal to one doctoral credit will be charged per semester in an extension year.

Project Process. For a detailed outline of the DMin project process, students should see the Guidelines for the Doctor of Ministry Project. A copy of this document is provided to students during the GSEM 790  intensive. It can also be obtained from the Doctor of Ministry website (www.doctorofministry.com/project) or the DMin office.

Academic Supervision. The director of the DMin program acts as curriculum supervisor. The project adviser and a second reader are chosen by the student in consultation with the project coach. Students should work closely with these persons and the DMin project coach to complete the project.

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