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Academics

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

The goal of the Carroll DMin degree is to grow students into ministerial leaders in church, parachurch, and other religious contexts (such as civilian or military chaplaincy) by helping them obtain an advanced understanding of the nature and purpose of ministry, develop further their ministerial analysis and skills, integrate new competencies into the practice of theologically reflective ministry, and enhance their personal and professional lives through growth into spiritual maturity.

The DMin degree prepares ministers to practice ministry reflectively and meaningfully through the ongoing integration of theory and practice. The program also trains ministers to acquire and develop mature and effective leadership skills and competencies in pastoral research. The program requires students to contribute to the understanding and practice of ministry through the design, implementation, evaluation, and completion of a doctoral-level project.

B.H CARROLL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Cost | Admission Requirements | Transfer of Credit

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Overview

The Carroll DMin program is designed to be completed in as little as three years. In the first year, students are exposed to doctoral research methods and writing, core readings and advanced seminars. In the second year students begin the process of specialization and are assigned a DMin project supervisor. Students, by the close of the second year, will have produced a DMin project prospectus for presentation to the Doctoral Programs Council; this project examines an area of interest in the student’s ministry context. Once approved, the student is admitted to DMin candidacy and the project writing phase. Students then submit and provide an oral defense of their research product.

Doctor of Ministry Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF MINSITRY:

Completion of thirty (30) semester hours:
DMin Core: Fifteen (15) semester hours:
CHRM 7301 Research/Writing in Ministry
CHRM 7302 Core Readings
CHRM 7303 Advanced Theological Integration
CHRM 7304 Advanced Leadership Effectiveness
CHRM 7305 Advanced Spiritual Formation

Specialization: Fifteen (15) semester hours:
Ministry and Formation Specialization:
CHRM 7306 Topics in Contemporary Ministry
CHRM 7307 Reading Seminar
CHRM 7308 Project Prospectus
CHRM 7309 Ministry Project
CHRM 7310 Project Submission and Oral Defense

Faith and Heritage Specialization:
FHER 7306 Topics in Contemporary Ministry
FHER 7307 Reading Seminar
FHER 7308 Project Prospectus
FHER 7309 Ministry Project
FHER 7310 Project Submission and Oral Defense

Scripture and Witness Specialization:
SCPT 7306 Topics in Contemporary Ministry
SCPT 7307 Reading Seminar
SCPT 7308 Project Prospectus
SCPT 7309 Ministry Project
SCPT 7310 Project Submission and Oral Defense

Colloquy
CLQY 8000 Colloquy*
* Must attend Colloquy first six semesters of enrollment

Admission Requirements

Applicants should meet the following general criteria for admission to ALL DOCTORAL PROGRAMS:

  1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a college or university accredited by are regional or national body for the accreditation of higher education institutions, and an approved master’s degree in theological or religious studies from a college, university, or theological school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, or a regional or national body for the accreditation of higher education institutions or, in rare cases, upon approval of the Doctoral Programs Council.
  2. Overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate-level work.
  3. Applicants may be required to complete additional courses to meet equivalency requirements (a process known as “leveling”).


DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMin)
Applicants to the DMin program must meet specific criteria for admission:

1. Possess a master’s degree in professional ministry which relates directly to the ministry in which the applicant is engaged; these degrees may include:

  • Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE)
  • Master of Arts Christian Ministry (MACM)
  • Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)
  • Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)
  • Master of Arts in Music (MAM), Church Music
  • Master of Arts in Worship (MAW)
  • Other approved master’s degrees, as evaluation by the Doctoral Programs Council.

2. Possess a research-focused master’s degree, such as:

  • Master of Arts Theological Studies (MATS)
  • Master of Theology (ThM)
  • Master of Arts in Missiology
  • Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
  • Master of Arts in Apologetics
  • Other approved master’s degrees, as evaluated by the Doctoral Programs Council.

The application process to the DMin requires applicants to complete an application and provide three letters of reference (one related to ministry, two related to academic history), a church endorsement, a statement of past Christian experience and calling to ministry, a digital photograph, and a $100 application fee. Applications must also interview with the Doctoral Programs Council and submit a 15- page reflective paper in Turabian Notes-Bibliography format; applicants in the fields of Counseling and Christian Education may submit the paper in APA Style. Applicants may also submit a graduate-level research paper written within the past five years.


APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applicants may only be admitted to the DMin program in the fall (August). For enrollment in the fall semester, the DMin program applicant’s completed application packet must be received by the Seminary no later than April 1.


DISMISSAL FROM DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
The following reasons are grounds for dismissal from the B. H. Carroll Doctoral programs: (1) Inadequate performance during the conditional period of enrollment; (2) non completion of studies within seven years after entering the program; (3) failure to maintain continuous enrollment in the program; (4) failure to pay required fees; (5) academic or performance failure in any part of the program; or (6) violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. The Doctoral Programs Council will review the student’s record and render a decision.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

  1. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
  2. Students must enroll in and attend Colloquy in each of their first six semesters in their program of study.
  3. Students must pass Written Examination and Oral Defense of Dissertation.