Continuing a long tradition of innovation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has announced three new online doctoral concentrations leading to the Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Educational Ministry degrees. Beginning January 2021, these online concentrations are some of the first of their kind, as the Associate of Theological Schools, the academic body that oversees the Seminary’s accreditation, published its standards for online D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. programs only in the last few months.
Southern Seminary president R. Albert Mohler, Jr. explained, “The entire purpose of Southern Seminary’s doctoral program is to serve the church by offering pastors and other ministers the very highest level of education through programs that are most relevant for ministry and prepare the minister for a lifetime of faithfulness.”
Southern Seminary’s doctoral program, established in 1892, has produced thousands of graduates, who have led through scholarship, ministry, missionary service, and a myriad of ministry applications.
Matthew J. Hall, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, noted the Seminary’s legacy of innovation in educational delivery, while maintaining a rigorous curriculum for the spiritual growth of Christian leaders.
“Southern Seminary has long been among the leaders of pioneering new doctoral programs in theological education and the expanded accessibility of our Doctor of Ministry program is yet another instance of this stewardship. I am so grateful that more pastors, ministers, and leaders will have access to this level of training with this extraordinary faculty. Southern Seminary’s commitment to the quality of these programs has always been evident. Now they are more accessible than ever, both in cost and delivery.”
Timothy Paul Jones, Vice President of Doctoral Studies, similarly considered the development of these new concentrations in the D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. programs a natural step in the Seminary’s aim to continue to help equip gospel servants.
“Since 1892, Southern Seminary has been the leading innovator among seminaries when it comes to doctoral programs. With these new fully online doctoral programs, we are continuing in this tradition.”
The courses will include both live and pre-recorded content. Live lectures will also be recorded for those students whose time zone precludes them from attending synchronous lectures. The three programs to be offered are Applied Theology, Christian Ministry, and Global Missions. The concentrations were developed out of recognition that leaving their local church or mission field was impractical for many pastors and missionaries. So, Jones noted, by providing online D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. opportunities, students do not have to make that difficult choice.
Jones also noted how this method of instruction affords students the closest opportunity of being in class with Southern’s faculty and students, while also being able to remain in their current ministry.
“Students will experience the same well-published faculty, the same rich content, and the same unapologetic commitment to the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture,” Jones said. “The only difference will be that the programs will be delivered online.”
“This initiative, combined with our recent tuition reduction in doctoral studies, has made a doctorate from Southern Seminary more accessible than ever.”
Through October 15, applications are now being accepted for the January 2021 cohort, with the next enrollment date being July 2021. Visit Southern Seminary Doctoral Studies for more information.
Learn more during our webinar
Join Dr. Matt Haste, Director of Professional Doctoral Studies, and members of the admissions team to learn more about our newly announced, fully online D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. programs on Wednesday, August 5th at 3 PM eastern.