The Doctor of Ministry 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.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry degree, students will demonstrate an ability to
- PLO 1 Formulate a plan for continuing personal spiritual growth in leadership
- PLO 2 Develop a personal and professional ethic for leadership in ministry
- PLO 3 Implement an approach to leadership that embraces multicultural and global perspectives
- PLO 4 Assess the effectiveness of leadership practice using an appropriate research method.
Achievement of these objectives will be evaluated through course work and the production and defense of applied research project (approximately 30.000-50.000 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:
• Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Statement of Faith.
• Official transcript highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the most recent degree earned and completion of a graduate-level theological degree (M.A. or M.Div.) from an accredited institution.
o Transcripts of theological degrees should give evidence of significant coursework in Bible and Theology, and ideally cultural study.
o 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.
• Applicants need to give evidence of at least three years of ministry experience in a leadership role or similar capacity on a church staff, with a mission agency, or as part of a parachurch ministry.
• Church Leader Reference(s)
• Essay (800-1000 words)
o Example of hermeneutical and theological ability
o Statement of cultural awareness in ministry experience
o Description of ministry/vocational calling
o Assessment of personal spiritual development and need for growth.
Completion Requirements:
- Successful completion of all courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Successful oral defense of the applied research project of approximately 30.000-50000 words before a committee of three faculty readers. The committee of the three may include an external expert in the particular field of research
- Affirmation of CIU’s Statement of Faith.
- Successful completion of all courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, no grade lower than C.
Time Limitation:
The time limit for completing the program is seven years, dating from the student’s first seminar and concluding with the applied research project defense and graduation.
Students will be advised to apply for a doctoral level certificate (3 courses= 9 credit hours) and then submit a degree change application once it can be ascertained that ministry context and life situation will make the completion of the DMin possible.
