Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.)

The purpose of the Doctor of Missiology (D.Miss.) program is to equip students in a confessional context for academic excellence and to prepare them to teach and research in the field of missiology for the glory of God and the mission of his church around the world.

Consisting of 64 total credit hours, the D.Miss. program offers maximal flexibility to students who are actively serving in missions contexts around the world through an entirely-online mode of delivery. All seminars meet via videoconference, with assignments submitted online before and after the virtual meeting.

The program curriculum (listed below) is designed to be completed in 3 years of study, though in some cases exceptions may be granted to students who serve as international missionaries and study only during periods of stateside assignment.

Curriculum

All seminars meet via videoconference, with assignments submitted online before and after the virtual meetings.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct cross-cultural ministry at an advanced level.
• Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to use standard research tools and methods in the chosen field of study.
• Students will be able to plan and conduct research in the area of specialization and to communicate its results effectively.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

• A Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Missiology (or equivalent from a regionally-accredited or ATS-accredited seminary)*
• A master’s-level cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Students having earned a Master’s degree but lacking required hours may complete the additional hours through online or on-campus study at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• A minimum of two years of appropriate field experience in cross-cultural ministry

*To request an equivalency review based on your master’s-level work, please submit a request for a Doctoral Equivalency Report. Students who have earned a master’s degree but lack required hours may fulfill them through online or on-campus study at SBTS.

TOEFL

Non-native English speakers, including those who have graduated from any U.S. school, must submit an official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores must meet a minimum of 95 for internet-based test (iBT), 233 for computer-based test (CBT) or 575 for paper-based test (PBT).

Admission Deadline

The application deadline for matriculation in the Summer term is January 15.

The application deadline for matriculation in the Winter term is August 1.

Entrance Examinations and Interviews

After the application deadline, qualified students will complete an Entrance Examination. Students will compose a 2,000-word essay using the D.Miss. Entrance Exam Reader.

Once the applicant has completed the D.Miss. Entrance Examination, a faculty interview will be scheduled. The interview provides the opportunity for students to meet and interact with the D.Miss. faculty while discussing their research interests and long-term goals.

Start Your Application

Click here to begin your online application. Our Admissions Team will assist you with submitting the materials listed below to the online portal:

• Recommendation Letters – 3 total references (2 academic and 1 pastoral)
• Research Paper – a graduate-level research paper (10-15 pages) in a field related to leadership, education, or ministry
• Vita – a summary (1-2 pages) of previous academic studies, rationale for doctoral studies, personal goals, area of research interest, and description of past missions experience

Program Fees