Course variations

Course summary

The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced professional degree designed to enhance the minister's competency and skill in performing the essential tasks of ministry. Distinguished from academic research programs such as the Ph.D. or Th.D., the primary emphasis of the Doctor of Ministry degree is on excellence in the practice of ministry. The D.Min. is especially vital training for ministers and their churches as they experience dramatic shifts in their ministry contexts. Our postmodern culture demands that ministers bring rigorous reflection, both theological and practical, to the task of ministry. This reflection will allow ministers and churches to become missional by taking seriously both the gospel and our culture. The missional church represents God in the encounter between God and the human culture. The church exists not because of human goals or desires, but as a result of God's creating and saving work in the world. Missional churches provide a visible manifestation of how the Good News of Jesus Christ is present in human life and transforms human culture to reflect more faithfully God's intentions for creation. A missional congregation is a community that visibly and effectively participates in God's activity, just as Jesus indicated when he referred to it in metaphorical language as salt, yeast, and light in the world.

Entry requirement for international students

The minimum admission requirements are: an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university seeking a master's-level degree. Two letters of recommendation, Academic records should be submitted in the original language. All documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified line-by-line, literal English translation. The official transcripts which include all subjects studied each year and the grade/mark earned in each subject is required for graduate applicants. A 3 to 5 page statement which includes a brief personal history and reasons for applying to the Graduate School. The statement should demonstrate the ability of the student to write at the graduate level. The score on the TOEFL is used to determine a student's English language proficiency. It is also required a score of 550 or higher on the paper/pencil Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL (CBT), or a score of 79-80 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT). Officially reported test score/s in the upper 50th percentile on the GRE, GMAT or MAT. Official test scores come directly from the testing institutions. And financial information includes a current bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the estimated cost of studying at ACU for one academic year (9 months) and a letter from the owner of the bank account stating that the funds will be used to support the applicant.

Qualification

Doctoral

Awarding body

Abilene Christian University

Department name

Graduate School of Theology