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2019-2020 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Missiology DMiss
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E-mail contact: dmiss@andrews.edu
The Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) program equips practitioners, leaders, and trainers who minister in cross-cultural mission situations through focused study and research in theological and social-science fields of study. For more detailed guidelines and program structures see the DMiss Handbook. A copy may be accessed online at: www.andrews.edu/sem/dmiss/handbook
Program Design
The DMiss degree is pursued while engaged in ministry. The curriculum is module-based and designed to be completed in four modules. Modules will include 1) pre-session reading, field research, application activities, and online discussions with the cohort group; 2) an annual residential period of at least 4 weeks on the campus of Andrews University, or one of its off-campus locations; and 3) post-session projects and/or paper. All credits given will adhere strictly to the minimum total study time of 60 hours (in class and out of class) for each credit as outlined in Andrews academic policies. Students typically complete the program in 5 years.
Mission Statement
Affirming a high view of Scripture and the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the DMiss program develops theologically competent mission leaders with advanced knowledge and skills that integrate the study of theology and missiology.
Vision Statement
The DMiss equips practitioners, leaders, and trainers to minister in cross-cultural situations through focused study and research in theological, missiological, and social-science fields of study.
Values
- High view of Scripture.
- Commitment to contextual field-based research and strategy development.
- Dedicated to finding biblically faithful and culturally relevant solutions to mission issues.
- Ability to train others and to write missiologically.
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Total Credits - 48
The DMiss program is module-based. Each module will consist of specific courses scheduled during 4 annual modules. All students will take the 42 credits of those specific modules and its listed courses. A dissertation of 6 credits will also be completed. Evidence of ability to read and speak in a language other than English may be required for certain research topics.
Dissertation
Dissertation Proposal
Proposals for the dissertation will be accepted following the completion of the second module. Under the guidance of the Program Director and the student’s dissertation advisor, the student will write a proposal. The final proposal must be approved by the student’s advisors, the proposal committee and the DMiss Program Committee.
The proposal must contain a basic survey of pertinent literature, a clear statement of the problem, a succinct purpose statement, a description of the methodology to be employed, a list of tentative chapters and subsection titles, and a preliminary bibliography. This will be submitted with the completed form found at: www.andrews.edu/sem/dmiss/dissertationmanual
Following the fourth module and the proposal approval, the student registers for MSSN 899 DMiss Dissertation for 3 credits for each of the following two semesters. If the dissertation is not completed after one year, the candidate must register for MSSN 888 (DMiss Dissertation Continuation) every semester, and pay a continuation fee until the dissertation is completed and the defense is held, or until the time limit has expired.
Dissertation Preparation
The dissertation prepared by the DMiss candidate must:
- Demonstrate the candidate’s competence to do independent research.
- Reveal the candidate’s familiarity with and proficiency in handling the pertinent literature.
- Present a logically organized, methodologically sound, and readable account of the investigation, findings, conclusions, and implications of the study.
Oral Defense of the DMiss Dissertation
The date is set and advertised by the director of the DMiss program. The oral defense is conducted by the dissertation defense committee and is held no later than four weeks before the degree is conferred. To pass the oral defense, candidates must receive a vote of approval from at least three of the four examiners. The committee votes in one of the following ways:
- Acceptance of the dissertation as presented.
- Acceptance of the dissertation subject to minor revisions.
- Acceptance of the dissertation subject to major revisions.
- Rejection of the dissertation.
Normally, rejection of a dissertation terminates the student’s doctoral candidacy, but the DMiss Program Committee may consider whether to allow him/her to prepare and submit another dissertation and what specific requirements would apply, including possible further course work.
After Defense
- The student makes all corrections
- The deadline for dissertations to be submitted to the Dissertation Secretary with the signed approval page is no later than Wednesday, 10 days before graduation. Strict adherence to this deadline is essential or graduation is postponed. For more detailed guidelines and scheduling see the DMiss Handbook (www.andrews.edu/sem/dmiss/handbook).
Maintaining Academic Standing
Time Limits
Since the program is module-based, the student is expected to finish all modules as scheduled. All degree requirements, including the dissertation must be finished within ten years of initial registration.
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements listed in the Graduate Programs Admission and in the Seminary Admission Requirements (http://bulletin.andrews.edu). Admission to the DMiss program is granted by the DMiss Committee to applicants who:
- Hold the MDiv degree or its educational equivalent, or other advanced master’s-level degrees in the related cognate discipline with a GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4-point scale.
- Have a minimum of 15 semester credits of mission-related course work.
- Pass the TOEFL test for English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of 85 (iBT) or 565 (paper based) if Secondary and Undergraduate schooling was not in English or if requested by the DMiss Program Committee.
- Be competent in at least one modern language other than English.
- Have significant work experience (typically three years or more) in a cross-cultural ministry context.
- Show high promise of future usefulness in the mission of the church.
- Have completed GSEM620 Research Methods or equivalent.
- Have recommendations, which include at least one church leader from a cross-cultural/mission setting.
Application Process
Application for the DMiss program should be submitted at least 6 months before the start date for classes.
In addition to submitting the items required of all graduate students, applicants to the DMiss program must also submit:
- A 1200-1500 word personal statement with the following headings:
- Philosophy of mission
- Religious, cultural, ethical considerations in mission
- How the DMiss contributes to my personal aspirations in mission
- My experience in cross-cultural mission
- A significant research paper (term paper or thesis), normally written during MA or MDiv studies. This paper should show the applicant’s ability to carry out research and to present the results and conclusions of such work with correct English and acceptable style. The topic of this paper should be in an area related to mission if possible.
- A detailed description of the applicant’s cross-cultural ministry work experience.
Transfer Credits
The DMiss program is module-based. Therefore, it is expected that all students will complete all activities as a module. Only in cases where a student has completed extensive mission studies beyond a master’s degree would an exception be considered.
Student Learning Outcomes
The purpose of the DMiss program is to advance theologically competent mission leadership for the global church. Although graduates may be asked to teach missions, this degree is not primarily a teaching degree but a professional one. The emphasis of the degree is on knowledge, skills, and mission research, which result in practical applications for effective mission. This degree is not earned by the mere accumulation of credits. It is conferred on those who demonstrate advanced knowledge in missiological themes and the ability to integrate theology and social science research into actual mission leadership and ministry.
Graduates will:
- Grow in spiritual disciplines.
- Develop theological and biblical foundations for their ministries and mission practice.
- Conduct research on mission challenges of the church which results in recommended solutions.
- Implement mission strategies which are biblically faithful and culturally appropriate.
- Demonstrate ability to train others for cross-cultural ministry.
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