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Overview of Doctor of Educational Ministry Program

The Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) degree is an advanced professional doctorate degree in ministry based on the Master of Arts in Christian Education or its equivalent. The purpose of the Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) degree is to equip persons committed to a Christian leadership for a high level of excellence in the practice of education and discipling ministries, Christian leadership, church growth, and missions administration. The distinctive features of the Doctor of Educational Ministry degree program include:

• Participation in interdisciplinary academic seminars
• Practical application of classroom learning to the student’s ministry
• A Ministry Research Project related to the student’s ministry setting
• An oral defense of the research project

In the School of Church Ministries the D.Ed.Min. degree is offered in five functional concentrations:

• Leadership and Church Ministry
• Evangelism and Church Growth
• Global Missions
• Biblical Counseling
• Family Ministry
• Christian Worship

Registration

Students accepted into the Doctor of Educational Ministry program must register for their first seminar no later than one year after acceptance to the program. After initial registration, a student is expected to register for seminars every term and for Applied Ministry (AM) every semester.

Unforeseen circumstances do at times require that students temporarily halt their studies. Any interruptions in study, however, are strongly discouraged for the following reasons. First, students who interrupt their studies must recognize that faculty supervision may be affected by prolonged interruptions. As a result, the student may not be readmitted back into the program unless alternate and acceptable faculty supervision can be arranged. Second, programs with a group experience are disrupted and progress toward graduation is delayed. Students who must take some time off from the program of study must request permission for “Continuing Enrollment Status” from the Office of the School of Church Ministries at least one month prior to the first day of classes in the semester.

Length of Time Allowed

Students who enter the D.Ed.Min. program are expected to pursue the degree concurrently with their full-time vocational involvement in ministry and should plan on a minimum of four years of study with a maximum of six years. Students who take longer than five years will be assessed an additional fee for each semester of extension. Under no circumstances shall a student extend the time of completion beyond six years.

Minimum Grade Point

Students must earn a minimum grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) for each individual component of the D.Ed.Min. degree. If a student receives less than a “B” on any individual component, that component must be repeated and the student is placed on probation. If a student receives two successive grades that are lower than a “B”, the student will be terminated from the program.

Attendance

Because seminars are accelerated, attendance is required at every session for the entire seminar. Absence from any portion of the seminar will necessitate retaking the seminar. Class participation will be weighted heavily in the student’s final grade for that seminar.

Assignments

The accelerated seminar plan and the sequential Applied Ministry Experience process require that all assignments be completed on time. Faculty supervisors will work with students to maintain a submission schedule for all assignments.