Doctor of Ministerial Leadership, DML

Purpose and Objectives:

The Doctor of Ministerial Leadership (DML) degree offers professional ministers the opportunity to reflect on their practice of leadership from diverse strategic perspectives. It challenges practitioners from a variety of ministry contexts to grow in their own spiritual maturity, strengthen their personal and professional ethic, and develop a biblical approach to their practice of leadership.

The objectives of the Doctor of Ministerial Leadership degree will enable students to:

• Formulate a plan for continuing personal spiritual growth in leadership.
• Develop a personal and professional ethic for leadership in ministry.
• Implement an approach to leadership that embraces multicultural and global perspectives.
• Assess the effectiveness of leadership practice using a case study research method.

Achievement of these objectives will be evaluated through course work and the production and defense of the student’s capstone project (approximately 25,000 words), which they will write in stages throughout their studies. Students may focus their research in any of the areas of ministry in which they are engaged.

Admission Requirements:

• A masters-level theological degree from an accredited institution (not limited to MDiv or equivalent) with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
• Students whose GPA falls between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a conditional basis if they submit their requests in writing accompanied by appropriate rationale. Their applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the SSM Admissions Review Committee on a case-by-case basis.
• Three years of ministry experience on a church staff, with a mission agency, or as part of a parachurch ministry (exceptions permitted up to 15%)

Residency and Transfer Policies:

The program is non-residential, and students are not required to study in residence. All seminars are delivered online. A student may transfer in up to 12 hours, if he/she can demonstrate completion of the equivalent of MIN 9440  , MIN 9441  , and MIN 9442   from an accredited doctoral program.

Time Limitation:

The time limit for completing the program is ten years, dating from the student’s first seminar and concluding with capstone project defense and graduation. The program is designed so that students should be able to complete their degree in three years. If a full-time student does not defend the dissertation by the end of the third year, the student will pay a continuation fee for each semester he/she remains in the program.

Completion Requirements:

• Successful completion of all courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Successful oral defense of a written project of approximately 25,000 words (at least 100 pages) before a committee of three faculty readers.

• Affirmation of the CIU doctrinal statement.