Academic Programs - Dallas Theological Seminary

ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS
D.MIN. DEGREE
Doctor of Ministry Degree (D. Min.)
PURPOSE
The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to provide
advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically
oriented ministry to those actively involved in vocational
or bivocational ministry. The program concentrates on
developing expertise in the biblical rationale, sociological
strategy, and practical implementation of ministry.
The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional
degree for those engaged in local church and parachurch
ministries, world missions, and similar ministries. (The Ph.D.
degree, by comparison, purposes primarily to equip students
to engage in scholarly research and teaching.) The D.Min.
program is offered “in ministry” rather than “in residence,”
as it assumes students will remain in ministry throughout the
program and does not require them to relocate to Dallas. It
normally requires a minimum of three years of meaningful
ministry experience. Each course assumes this ministry
experience and endeavors to integrate learning with the
student’s present context of ministry as well as future goals.
One of the most inviting features of the D.Min. at Dallas is that
the curriculum is designed with a high degree of flexibility.
Of the 27 hours of course work required for the degree, only
six hours are prescribed so that students may tailor their programs
to their own ministry goals. Three additional hours are
granted for the student’s applied research project, which the
student reports in the dissertation.
GOALS
Educational Goals
To enable students to:
• evaluate personal, spiritual, and professional development;
• chart a course for lifelong learning and improvement;
• assess and construct ministries from a biblical theology
applied in a variety of contemporary contexts;
• conduct applied research of professional, doctoral-level
breadth and depth within their chosen field of study; and
• articulate and defend evangelical theology in the practice
of ministry.
Spiritual Goal
To enable students to manifest a maturing and Spirit-filled character.
Ministry Goals
To enable students to:
• enhance identified ministerial skills such as preaching,
counseling, leadership, administration, vision-casting,
educational programming, and communication;
• communicate God’s Word effectively through preaching,
teaching, writing, or other media;
• lead and manage a church or ministry organization competently;
• work successfully and ethically with people in a variety of
ministry situations;
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DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 2006–2007 CATALOG