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.
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
Applicants should meet the following general criteria for admission to ALL DOCTORAL PROGRAMS:
- 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.
- Overall grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate-level work.
- Applicants may be required to complete additional courses to meet equivalency requirements (a process known as “leveling”).
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD)
Applicants to the PhD program must meet the following general criteria for admission:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all master’s-level work within the subject field of the intended major.
- Demonstrate proficiency in biblical languages whether through transcripted course work (6hours of Hebrew, 12 hours of Greek) or through a barrier examination.
- Obtain proficiency in research languages to include German (primary) and French (secondary);Latin or another language may be substituted as a secondary language for students in selected concentrations. Students in Counseling, Christian Education, and other selected fields must possess proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods. See the Doctoral Programs Handbook for concentration requirements.
- Hold an appropriate prerequisite degree for the chosen PhD concentration:
Scripture and Witness PhD concentrations (Biblical Languages, Old Testament, NewTestament, Preaching, and Missions):
- Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (MDivBL)
- Master of Theology (ThM)
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) with Biblical Languages
- Another approved Master’s which consists of the required hours in biblical languages, or to which the appropriate language study is added.
Faith and Heritage PhD concentrations (Church History, Ethics, Theology, and Philosophy):
- Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (MDivBL)
- Master of Theology (ThM)
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) with Biblical Languages
- Another approved Master’s which consists of the required hours in biblical languages, or to which the appropriate language study is added.
Ministry and Formation PhD concentrations in pastoral vocations (Pastoral Ministry, Christian Education, Spiritual Formation, and Worship):
- Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (MDivBL)
- Master of Theology (ThM)
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) with Biblical Languages
- Another approved Master’s which consists of the required hours in biblicallanguages, or to which the appropriate language study is added.
Ministry and Formation PhD concentrations in non-pastoral vocations (Counseling, Chaplaincy, Christian Education, Leadership, and Worship):
- Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- Master of Theology (ThM)
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
- Master of Arts in Worship (MAW)
- Master of Arts in Music (MAM), Church Music
- Master of Music (MM)
- Master of Arts Counseling (MAC)
- Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)
The application process to the PhD requires applicants to complete an application and provide three letters of academic reference, 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 writing sample of 25-30 pages in Turabian Notes-Bibliography format; applicants in the fields of Counseling and Christian Education may submit the paper in APA Style.
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 be admitted to the PhD program in either the spring (January) or fall (August). For applicants with research language or ancillary skills competencies already demonstrated, and desiring consideration for enrollment in the fall semester, the applicant’s completed application packet must be received by the Seminary no later than April 1. For enrollment in the spring semester, this deadline is September 1. For students not having research languages completed, the application packet may be compiled and submitted while the student is engaged in language study.
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
- Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
- Students must enroll in and attend Colloquy in each of their first six semesters in their program of study.
- Students must pass Written Examination and Oral Defense of Dissertation.