The purpose of this degree program is 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 and the Doctor of Philosophy 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:

•     Serve the need of ministers for an experience of continuing education.

•     Renews the personal life of faith

•     Develop professional competence

•     Stimulates continued growth in biblical and theological foundations for ministry

 

Prerequisite

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

 

Nature of the Program

Books will be published the Vision Publishing Company.

​

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. The doctoral student must submit a bibliography of the books used for the core papers. 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. 

​

About the Doctor of Philosophy 

The program of studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is a 71-credit (consisting of 35 credit hours in coursework and 36 credit hours for the dissertation project). 

 

Our Doctor of Philosophy graduate program is based on the European university model of “research degrees” which are entirely research-based, rather than course-based. The Ph.D. degree is awarded on the basis of substantial original research; the Ph.D. has a prerequisite of an MA degree (or its equivalent), and requires the student to write a 250-page dissertation (36 credits) on a topic centered on the students selected concentration and must be written to be published as a book through Vision Publishing Company.

​

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.

​

About the Doctor of Ministry

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. 

​

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.

​

Doctoral Project Proposal

The student is to write a proposal for the Doctorate, describing the project according to the prescribed format. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee of the College. The process and format for a Doctoral Proposal is described in Research Writing Made Easy. These resources will be provided by the Student Services Department.

​

Doctoral Project

Upon approval of the proposal the student may begin writing his or her Doctoral Project according to the specific format. The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree and is what provides the right to be called “Doctor.” It earns 10 credits towards the degree program. The guidelines for the writing of the Project are found in the book Research Writing Made Easy. Through the combination of foundation 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. Books will be published the Vision Publishing Company.