PROGRAM MISSION

The Doctor of Ministry degree program provides advanced training in the practice of ministry leadership to those actively engaged in vocational ministry. The program seeks to develop expertise in the understanding and application of reformed theology, the sufficiency of the Bible, practical leadership in ministry, the work of lay/clergy in ministry, and the integration of the work of missions. The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional degree for individuals serving in local churches, para-church positions, and global mission ministries.

 

 

PROGRAM GOALS

The Doctor of Ministry degree program enables students to:

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• evaluate their own leadership abilities

• communicate the Word of God effectively through their learning;

• prepare for professional effectiveness in the ministry setting;

• manifest a maturing and Spirit-filled character as a minister; and

• enhance their ministry competence in a variety of contemporary contexts

 

 

DESIGN OF THE CURRICULUM

The Doctor of Ministry program includes eight required four-semester-hour seminars. Each student will enroll in one class every six-months of their matriculation in the program. Each class will involve a pre-residency period of reading, a residency period during which students meet in Los Angeles and attend daily lectures/discussion sessions for five days, and a post-residency period during which each will apply principles learned a project in the context of their fulltime ministry setting.

The first seven classes will each directly fulfill an educational goal and a ministerial goal of the program while all classes will seek to fulfill the program's spiritual goal. An eighth class will be taught at the end of the program focusing on research methods, preparing and guiding students as they develop their dissertation. The dissertation will have appropriate academic rigor and a written component but will be primarily focused on practical ministry, as graduates of the program will be sent out to be practitioners in ministry leadership.

 

 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The D.Min. program requires 45 semester hours consisting of 32 hours of coursework plus a 9-hour applied research project related to the student's ministry and 4 hours of practicums. All work leading to the Doctor of Ministry degree must be completed in not less than three and not more than six years from the time of matriculation. A minimum grade of B- must be received in each course for it to be counted toward graduation.

 

 

• LDR 815 God’s Calling, Gifts, Talents, Skills, and Leadership (4 units)

• BIB 825 Sufficiency of the Word of God (4 units)

• THE 835 Reformed Theology (4 units)

• MIN 845 Skills for Deeper Ministry (4 units)

• MIS 855 Toward Global Ministry (4 units)

• TBD

• TBD

• RES 869 Research Methodology | Dissertation Writing (4 units)

• RES 870 D.Min. Dissertation (9 units)

• PRA 905A-E Practicum (1 units)

The completion of the minimum number of hours does not automatically qualify a student for the degree. The candidate must show, to the satisfaction of the faculty, proven Christian character, ability and acceptability in Christian ministry and continued adherence to the IRUS doctrinal statement.