The Primary Purpose of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry degree is to nurture and train selected men and women to minister from a Wesleyan-Pentecostal perspective. The degree focuses on the general practice of ministry at an advanced level of competence in the various ministerial vocations. Graduates will be expected to function in the truest sense as “doctors” of ministry.
The ministerial vocations include (but are not limited to) (1) preaching the Word, (2) teaching the Faith, (3) providing pastoral care and counsel to the hurting, (4) evangelizing the lost, (5) leading in worship, (6) discipling others in Christian living, (7) challenging and enabling all members of the faith community to fulfill their callings in Christ, (8) facilitating koinonia within and among Christian congregations, (9) modeling and facilitating Christian (congregational) in ministries of mercy and justice in society at large, (10) overseeing and administering the various ministries of the local church.
Acceptance into the DMIN program requires the applicant to possess a Master of Divinity (MDIV) degree or its educational equivalent and to have completed a minimum of three years of theologically informed active ministry.
Educational Requirement. Applications for acceptance based upon equivalency with the MDIV degree are considered on a case-by-case basis. The minimal requirements for this status include an accredited masters-level theological degree (an accredited master's degree in a social science that directly informs the practice of ministry may be accepted), plus a minimal number of graduate credits in biblical, theological, and ministerial studies.
There are three routes by which an applicant may demonstrate he/she has attained the educational equivalent of a MDIV degree.
(A) The first route for demonstrating equivalency with the MDIV degree requires (1) that the applicant possess an accredited theological degree, (2) have successfully completed 6 hours of graduate Biblical studies, 6 hours of graduate studies in theology, 6 hours graduate studies in the life and ministry of the church, and 3 hours of graduate studies in personal formation for ministry, and (3) have completed not less than 72 graduate hours of study.
(B) The second route an applicant may take to demonstrate he/she has attained the equivalent of an MDIV degree requires that the applicant (1) possess an accredited graduate level theological degree, (2) have successfully completed a minimum of 6 hours of graduate Biblical studies, 6 hours of graduate studies in theology, 6 hours graduate studies in the life and ministry of the church, and 3 hours of graduate studies in personal formation for ministry, (3) create a portfolio demonstrating possession of the knowledge and skills required of a PTS MDIV graduate as outlined in the MDIV degree program outcome statements, and (4) be interviewed by the director of the DMIN program for the purpose of verifying achievement of the MDIV degree program outcomes.
(C) A third route is available for applicants who possess an accredited non-theological graduate degree that by its nature may be understood to inform ministry. Typically these degrees are in the social sciences: counseling, psychology, education, organizational leadership, etc.. This route requires that the applicant (1) possess an accredited degree in the social sciences or other ministry related discipline, (2) have successfully completed 9 hours of prescribed graduate Biblical studies, 9 hours of prescribed graduate studies in theology, and 3 hours of graduate studies in personal formation for ministry, (3) create a portfolio demonstrating possession of the knowledge and skills required of a PTS MDIV graduate as outlined in the MDIV degree program outcome statements, and (4) be interviewed by the director of the DMIN program for the purpose of verifying achievement of the MDIV degree program outcomes.
Ministry Experience Requirement: As noted above, all routes to acceptance into the DMIN program require applicants to have completed a minimum of 3 years of theologically informed active ministry. This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways. (A) The ministry requirement may be demonstrated by documenting 3 years of active ministry following the completion of an accredited graduate-level theological degree or (B) it may also be met by completing a portfolio demonstrating three years of theologically informed ministry. The portfolio must include a list of theologically oriented books and articles read during a three-year period of ministry and a list of in-ministry training events or courses completed during the same period, plus a 7 to 10 page essay demonstrating how those readings and classes informed the applicants practice of ministry.
Individuals will be guided through the process of creating an acceptable portfolio after he or she has completed the online application for entrance into the DMIN program.
Before an applicant is considered for admission to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and participation in the Doctor of Ministry program, the Seminary’s Admissions Office must receive the following items:
A completed DMIN admission application form.
A $100 application fee (US currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (non-refundable)
Official academic transcripts from every college, university, graduate school and/or seminary attended. In the US, "official" transcripts must be sent directly from each institution to the Seminary's Admissions Office. Photocopies and scanned copies are not acceptable. Transcripts from schools outside the United States may need to be validated by the proper authorities. The Admissions Office can provide additional information.
Three (3) completed letters of recommendations (using PTS forms)
a. Personal Recommendation - family, friend, co-worker or classmate;
b. Academic Recommendation - professor or ministerial instructor; and
c. Professional/Ministerial Recommendation - employer, supervisor, bishop, overseer, or pastor.
(Departure from this list must be approved by the Admissions Office.)
Personal statement indicating personal background, positions in ministry, current ministerial credentials, continuing education experiences, future plans in ministry, purpose in pursuing the DMIN degree and areas of possible focus in the program. (Typed, 2 pages, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, including page numbers).
One academic paper from the applicant's graduate work.
A background check initiated by the applicant based on instructions provided by the Seminary. Cost for the background check is covered by the application fee.
International applicants must possess the appropriate visa for student enrollment. More information regarding student visa applications is available from the Seminary's Office of Enrollment Management.
NOTE: All required admission documents must be received by the Admissions Office before the DMIN applicant's request for acceptance will be considered.
The Pentecostal Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry program is a 36-unit program of doctoral level advanced seminary training. Students are expected to be active in ministry throughout the program of study. The program is designed to be completed in three to five years. Students in the program must maintain a 3.2 GPA or above on a 4.00 point scale.
The Seminary DMIN is a group-based (or cohort) program that expects a student to complete the core curriculum with the same set of peers. Each student is also required to create a context-based covenant group that assists with the assessment of his or her ministry context and with the design and implementation of the capstone project.
Each student must identify a special ministry practice (such as preaching, teaching, counseling, evangelism, etc.) upon which to focus his or her studies. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, students develop a study plan for their focus area.
The plan identifies the three "elective" courses that will relate to the focus area. The capstone project and dissertation will also be related to the area of focus. The project will identify an area of concern for Pentecostal ministry, formulate a ministry model to address the problem, implement the model, and, using pre and post tests, assess the effectiveness of the model. The dissertation will include an overview of the project and consider the implications of the project for the practice of Pentecostal ministry.
The DMIN program emphasizes personal and community development of the student. Personal development emphasizes the experience and practice of spiritual disciplines. Personal disciplines form the basis for ministry assessment and development. Community development is the practice of Christian faith in the context of relationships with others who share a common faith. Ministry and program assessments are training in both personal and community of faith context.
In order to fulfill the community and personal dimensions, students enter into the program and continue with colleagues in learning in their ministry context. The program is group-based. Students learn in group contexts by working with the same group of students through several courses, by assessing and approving various parts of their individual programs through a colloquium process, and by participating in a reflection group with persons with whom they minister at their individual contexts of ministry.
The DMIN is centered in a cluster or cohort group. Students move, as much as possible, through the core of the program with essentially the same group of peers, who will meet periodically at the same geographic location, not limited to the main campus of the Seminary. They will have the option of attending elective courses with other groups at other geographic locations. This model reflects the Seminary commitment to the development of community as a work of the Holy Spirit within the Body of Christ. The cluster groups will designate a student group coordinator to provide information and assistance with physical arrangements for the group, for example, meeting place, living accommodations, food, etc. The anticipated minimum for each group varies in order to anticipate attrition while guaranteeing the continued life of the cluster group.
Cluster groups outside the continental United States are subject to the same criteria as United States groups. Indigenous faculty who have received approval, orientation and part-time faculty status from the Seminary will share in instruction. Seminary main campus faculty also share instruction with accompanying translation of classes and written work. Grading and assessment will be done collaboratively.
Students begin the group-based format during the first course of the program. They will be assigned to the same group based upon their similar program, locations, and other needs. The initial group learning experience is in experiencing the core courses together. Students are asked to remain with the same learning group during the first year for the duration of the core courses. During the core phase, students will mutually assess one another and develop a personal and community formational model for theological training.
During the first year, students develop a ministry reflection group at their individual settings of ministry. Participants are persons with whom the student ministers. The context-based covenant group continues throughout the life of the student’s program. Maintaining a context-based covenant group is a required part of the program. Group format, program accountability, effectiveness and other pertinent concerns are monitored by the Seminary staff through reporting by the students and feedback responses from covenant group members. Potential members may include:
1. Denominational officials
2. Faculty
3. Ministerial colleagues
4. Laity in the local church
5. Professionals in the community
6. Fellow Students in the program.
The DMIN program is a three-year program with four components: core courses, context-based covenant group, focus area electives, and project/dissertation. The program sequence is as follows:
DM 901 Doctor of Ministry Orientation and Assessment......................................... 3
DM 908 Reading Theology for Ministry……………………………………………...... 3
DM 914 Reading Scripture for Ministry ……………................................................. 3
DM 915 Reading Theological Contexts................................................................... 3
Total Required Courses…………………………………………………………………. 12
DM 911 Context-Based Covenant Group: Assessment……………………….. 1
DM 912 Context-Based Covenant Group: Project……………………………... 1
DM 913 Context-Based Covenant Group: Dissertation………………………... 1
DM 931 DMin Project: Research………………………..………………………... 1
DM 932 DMin Project: Prospectus………………………..……………………… 1
DM 933 DMin Project: Prospectus Implementation………………………..…… 1
DM 934 DMin Dissertation and Defense………………………………………... 3
Total Other Required Courses………………………..………………………………... 9 hrs
Focus Area Electives
Focus Area Elective ………………………..……………………………………. 3 hrs
Focus Area Elective ………………………..……………………………………. 3
Focus Area Elective ………………………..……………………………………. 3
Total Focus Area Electives ………………………..……………………………. 9 hrs
Open Electives
Open Elective………………………..………………………………………….... 3 hrs
Open Elective………………………..………………………………………….... 3
Total Open Electives………………………..……………………………………. 6 hrs
Total DMin Courses ………………………..……………………………………. 36 hrs
DM 901 Doctor of Ministry Orientation and Assessment......................................... 3
DM 908 Reading Theology for Ministry (Not necessarily in Residence)…….…….. 3
DM 911 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Assessment......................................... 1
DM 931 Doctor of Ministry Project/Dissertation: Research...................................... 1
Declared Focus Area Elective ………………........................................................... 3
Total Credit Hours First Year: 11
DM 914 Reading Scripture for Ministry.................................................................... 3
DM 915 Reading Theological Contexts (Not necessarily in Residence).................. 3
DM 912 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Project................................................. 1
DM 932 Doctor of Ministry Project/Dissertation: Prospectus................................... 1
Declared Focus Area Elective.................................................................................. 3
Total Credit Hours Second Year: 11
DM 913 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Dissertation......................................... 1
DM 933 Doctor of Ministry Project/Implementation................................................. 1
DM 934 Doctor of Ministry Dissertation................................................................... 3
Declared Focus Area Electives................................................................................ 3
Open Elective……………......................................................................................... 3
Open Elective……………......................................................................................... 3
Total Credit Hours Third Year: 14
Total DMIN Degree Program Requirement: 36 Credit Hours
DM 901 Doctor of Ministry Orientation and Assessment................................................. 3
DM 908 Reading Theology for Ministry …………………………………………….…......... 3
DM 911 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Assessment................................................. 1
Total Credit Hours First Year: 7
DM 914 Reading Scripture for Ministry............................................................................3
DM 931 Doctor of Ministry Project/Dissertation: Research.............................................. 1
Declared Focus Area Elective ………………................................................................... 3
Total Credit Hours Second Year: 7
DM 915 Reading Theological Contexts……. ................................................................. 3
DM 912 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Project..........................................................1
Declared Focus Area Elective….......................................................................................3
Total Credit Hours Third Year: 7
DM 909 Holistic Mission: Evangelism, Justice, and Mercy Ministries.............................. 3
DM 991 Doctor of Ministry Leadership Elective…………………...................................... 3
DM 932 Doctor of Ministry Project/Dissertation: Prospectus............................................1
Total Credit Hours Third Year: 7
DM 913 Context-Based Covenant Groups: Dissertation................................................. 1
DM 933 Doctor of Ministry Project/Implementation......................................................... 1
DM 934 Doctor of Ministry Dissertation........................................................................... 3
Declared Focus Area Elective..........................................................................................3
Total Credit Hours Third Year: 8
Total DMIN Degree Program Requirement: 36 Credit Hours
• Receive syllabi
• Order textbooks and other texts
• Reading and research requirements for Phase I
Typical Class Sequence: Monday - Friday; 8am - 5pm
The deadline for completion of all assignments is December 15. Applications for extensions for completion of coursework must be approved by the course instructor, the faculty advisor, and the Vice President for Academics and must be filed by December 15. The deadline for completion of extended work is March 1.
Residency is to be completed on the main campus. The residency requirement is 12 credit hours. The other 24 credit hours may be taken entirely online.
Each student must attend a research module workshop conducted by the Pentecostal Resource Center and the Theological Seminary while the student attends a main campus course. The research module will provide orientation about the nature of theological research at the Doctor of Ministry level. Further, the research module will provide the students information and preliminary experience with the research resources of the Seminary. This includes a comprehensive orientation to the variety of library learning resources, literature review resources, holdings of the library that are particularly helpful for DMIN research, and computer accession of library holdings. The research module is preparatory for DMIN projects.
At two junctures in the student’s project/thesis a colloquium of faculty and students will be used to evaluate and approve the student’s proposals and work. The two colloquium times are as follows:
1. Project/Thesis Prospectus Proposal
2. Project/Thesis Defense
The colloquium group for each of the above times is composed of a minimum of two approved faculty members and an approved learning group member. If a student who is not a member of the student’s learning group participates, approval must be granted by the Director of the DMIN Program.
Colloquium group assignments are made after the student submits a request to the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program for a colloquium group to meet. Students submit requests for colloquiums when they are ready to enter each of the above-mentioned stages of the program.
Colloquia typically meet in conjunction with course meeting times. Colloquium meetings may be before, parallel with or after the class meetings for a course. Colloquium members and students submitting proposals or theses will be notified by the Doctor of Ministry Director about colloquia membership, meeting time, and location.
Colloquium members may or may not participate in the same colloquium group to which they are submitting a proposal or thesis. In other words, some or all of the student members of a colloquium group may both assess the proposals or theses of others as well as submit one’s own proposal or thesis.
Colloquium groups may be multi-purpose. That is, groups assessing and approving Project Proposals may also assess and approve Project Thesis Proposals and or Project Thesis Defenses. Each member of a colloquium group votes upon the
approval or disapproval of a proposal or thesis.
Two copies of the DMIN student's dissertation are held in the William G. Squires Library when the student earns a final grade of B+ or higher on this paper.
At the time of application, each prospective student is expected to have been in a setting of ministry long enough to have access to resources from the ministry setting necessary for completion of the program. For example, the student will have to be familiar enough with ministry colleagues and persons to whom the student ministers in order to recruit them and then effectively participate with them in a group process. Students are expected to integrate their academic study of faith and ministry with their actual experience and practice in a ministry setting.
Students may transfer up to 15 hours of elective credit provided the courses are approved as components of the student's focus area of study. Transfer courses must be recommended by the DMIN Director and approved by the Vice President for Academics. The courses must be from accredited institutions and on an equivalent doctoral level. Transfer of credit will not be given for course work more than 10 years old. Exceptions to this policy may be granted in cases where documentation and demonstration of course equivalency can be established.
All DMIN coursework must be submitted by all enrolled DMIN students no later than March 1. Graduate candidates in the DMIN program must successfully defended their dissertation by March 1 to participate in graduation ceremonies.
In order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), DMIN students must complete the DMIN within 5 years, with a minimum enrollment of 3 hours each for any of those years. The DMIN student must also maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA or above on a 4.00 point scale and successfully complete 75% of attempted credit hours, with no more than one incomplete permitted at any given time. Failed grades, ungraded courses, extensions of time, incomplete grades and withdrawals are included when calculating this percentage.
Students not demonstrating sufficient academic progress will be placed on Academic Warning for a year. A DMIN student on academic warning is required to follow an academic plan, developed in consultation with the DMIN Program Director and the Vice President for Academics. If sufficient academic progress is not achieved by the end of the probation year, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension.
An individual may apply for readmission to the DMIN program after a year of Academic Suspension. In the case of re-admittance, the student would be on Academic Probation for the first year and must repeat course work for which he or she received a grade less than 2.7 on a 4.00 scale.
Under extenuating circumstances (death of immediate family member, severe illness, change of ministry assignment, etc.), students may apply in writing to the DMIN Committee through the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program for approval of interruption of status. Interruption of status is normally granted for one academic year but may be extended to two academic years, if necessary. Students must continue to pay the annual DMIN fee during the interruption of status period. The time allocated to interruption of status will not apply to the 3-5 year limit for sufficient academic progress. Notification of approved interruption of status shall be given to the office of the Vice President for Academics and the Registrar.
Interruption of status is not available for current enrolled courses. Student requiring additional time for current courses must follow the policies for extension of time and incompletes.
For students who do not complete their program within 5 years and are permitted to continue, the student will be charged annually a Continuance of Project/Dissertation Fee equivalent to the current DMin one-hour tuition charge.
DMIN students may apply for additional time to complete core courses by requesting an Extension of Time. (The time allotted for an extension is an additional 4 weeks). Extension requests must be submitted for approval no later than March 1st. If the extension is approved, a final grade of E will be posted on the student's transcript until the instructor submits the final grade or until the deadline date, whichever comes first. Students not submitting coursework by the designated deadline will receive a final grade of F. This grade will not be changed and the student must repeat the course. A DMIN student may be prohibited from enrolling in J-term courses if he or she has active Extensions. In the event an official transcript is requested, the E grade will be changed to an F. Online courses are not eligible for extensions of time.
An incomplete grade is not lightly given. It is designed for a rare occasion when the student has been seriously ill or suffered some other hardship beyond his or her control. A request for an incomplete grade must be requested no later than March 1st. A final grade of I will be recorded on the student's transcript. If the incomplete is not removed by the deadline recorded on the request form, a final grade of F will be recorded on the transcript. This grade cannot be changed and the student will be required to repeat the course. Scholarships will not cover the cost of repeated courses. An incomplete grade may affect the student satisfactory academic progress and financial aid eligibility. A DMIN student may also be prohibited from enrolling in J-term courses if he or she has an active Incomplete. In the event an official transcript is requested, the I grade will be changed to an F. Online courses are not eligible for Incomplete grades.
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
F = 0
F = 0 and affects the GPA. AU, E, I, and W do not affect the GPA.
Note: No grade may be changed without written approval of the instructor and the Vice President for Academics. Any grade change submitted for a student who has not previously applied for an Incomplete or Extension of Time will only be considered in exceptional cases. In such cases, student shall not be entitled to a grade higher than B. Student shall pay a $100 fee for the grade change. A written appeal can be made to the Academics Office by the faculty member and the student in question for circumstances deemed to warrant special consideration in handling such exceptional grade change requests.
A senior pastor and/or senior pastor's spouse can receive sponsorship for their Seminary tuition. The contributing church may receive credit for World Missions sponsorship for monies designated to the senior pastor/spouse who is attending the Seminary. Churches should forward funds to the Seminary Business Office and designate funds to the Mission America Fund Project #8000023 "Pentecostal Training" and indicate the name of the senior pastor/spouse to be funded.
Seminary graduate alumni are eligible for a 50% tuition scholarship on a 3-credit hour course per academic year. To apply for the scholarship, applicants must complete a FAFSA and Financial Aid Application (scholarships are applied towards tuition only student is responsible for fees).
Students attending their first year in the Doctor of Ministry program may apply for this $500 one-time scholarship. Applicants must complete a FAFSA and Financial Aid Application to apply for the scholarship.
(Tuition and fees are subject to change without notification.)
Application Fee .....................................................................................................$100.00
(Must accompany the application and is non-refundable)
Tuition (per credit hour)..........................................................................................$545.00
Assessment Testing (1st year students only)........................................................$180.00
Annual DMIN Fee (per year)..................................................................................$100.00
Technology Fee (per year) ....................................................................................$100.00
Meals (per year) ....................................................................................................$150.00
Registration Fee (per year)......................................................................................$25.00
Late Registration Fee .............................................................................................$75.00
Student Identification Card (per year)........................................................................$3.00
Drop/Add Fee .........................................................................................................$10.00
Extension of Time Application Fee. ........................................................................$75.00
Incomplete Grade Fee ............................................................................................$25.00
Binding Fee for Dissertation ...................................................................................$45.00
Graduation Fee .................................................................................................... $450.00
(The graduation fee is not prorated and nonparticipation does not exempt a graduate from any part of the fee.)
Late Graduation Application Fee...........................................................................$100.00
Official Transcript Fee................................................................................................$5.00
D.Min Program Extension Fee...............................................................................$545.00
Full-time DMIN students making a one-time payment for tuition and fees are eligible to receive a 1% discount of net tuition (tuition less scholarship). The single payment discount would be applied as follows.
Example:
Tuition due for 8 hours @ $545 $4360.00
D.Min Fee $100.00
Technology Fee $100.00
Meals $150.00
Registration Fee $25.00
Student ID Card $3.00
Sub-Total $4738.00
Less Single Payment Discount (adjust w/scholarship) - $43.60
Actual payment after discount (returning students) $4694.40
1st-year student assessment testing fee $180.00
Actual payment after discount (new students) $4874.40
D.Min students may opt to pay for one-third of their full-time annual tuition and fees at the first class and the remaining balance in two (2) equal installments. The following charges are made on each deferred payment account:
Tuition Due for 8 hours @ $545.......................................................$4360
D.Min Fee...........................................................................................$100
Technology Fee..................................................................................$100
Meals..................................................................................................$150
Registration Fee ..................................................................................$25
Student ID Card.....................................................................................$3
Sub-total................................................................................$4738
Calculation of initial payment for Deferred Payment Plan:
Tuition..............................................................................................$4360
All Fees..............................................................................................$378
Deferred Payment Fee.........................................................................$50
Returning Students: Initial Payment Due. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1596
Second Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . $1596
Third Payment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1596
New Students* Initial Payment Due. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1656