Frequent Questions
What is the Doctor of Ministry program?
It is a 32-credit doctoral-level professional program for people in active ministry who wish to develop advanced competencies. The program builds on a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent. Courses are presented in modular format and generally take a year for a person in full-time ministry to complete. Much of the learning design is embedded in ministry activity and reflection. A two-week contact teaching portion within each module is presented at various North American sites; a longer intensive for international sites. Presently, concentrations are offered in Leadership, Chaplaincy, Evangelism and Church Growth, Family Ministry, Global Mission Leadership, Preaching, Urban Ministries, and Youth Ministry. Cohorts are also offered with Spanish as the language of instruction.
Why should a pastor or other denominational leader pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree?
Participants have the opportunity to...
- Deepen their own spirituality, leading to enrichment of personal and family life and a greater commitment to ministry;
- Understand the biblical model of leadership and to develop competencies contributing to the strengthening of an Adventist perspective of evangelism, mission, and ministry;
- Learn to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection, aiding in the formation of a biblical model of servant leadership;
- Learn to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of churches and communities, to facilitate more effective ministry;
- Develop a global view of ministry.
Why should a person choose Andrews for their DMin degree?
A person should choose the best program available for their particular needs. Our program mission responds to the needs of Adventist ministry: "Prompted by the promise of Christ's soon return, the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University is designed to develop spiritually mature and responsible professionals in ministry for worldwide church leadership." We offer focused concentrations in key areas of ministry. Andrews is striving to be the best. Our graduates become part of an alumni community unique within our church, and our graduates have favored access to lifelong learning in DMin modules.
Is Andrews a quality program?
The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University offers one of the most rigorous options for a Doctor of Ministry degree. The first goal of four in our master plan is "Quality Education." We have taken several steps to assure quality:
- Applied academic and clinician faculty teams
- Designed year-long modules with two-week intensives
- Formed ministry-embedded curriculum for active professionals
- Implemented cohort-based delivery
- Learning communities are employed within the cohort
- Each student forms a ministry development plan
- Professional portfolios are developed
- Professional projects are preferred
- Participants learn to perform qualitative field research
The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
What are the requirements for admission?
- You must be active in ministry.
- You need to have three years of experience following your first graduate theological degree (limited exceptions are possible).
- The DMin program requires an MDiv degree or equivalent.
- The GPA standard is 3.25
- You must have positive recommendations.
- And we ask for a paper that gives evidence of writing ability and your purpose in seeking the degree.
How much does it cost?
There is a 66% reduction in tuition charge for North American Division employees. Further, many unions and conferences assist, usually 1/3 each, with the already-reduced tuition. Most conferences help with the few small additional fees, travel, and books. Assistance does vary in diverse fields.
International students who come to the Andrews campus to take the program as full-time students in the in-residence program do not qualify for the NAD discounted rate. There are some scholarships available to international students. Contact the DMin office for details.
Does the DMin program cost the Seminary a great deal of money?
The program is planned to offer a quality experience to all, and is funded to operate in a positive financial position.
May my spouse attend a class?
Yes! The Andrews Doctor of Ministry welcomes spouses to participate in teaching intensives. They may register as guests with the Doctor of Ministry office. There is no academic or CEU credit, but there is also no tuition fee for such an arrangement. Of course, additional travel, food, and lodging will be your responsibility.
I'm interested in many subjects; may I attend classes beyond those required for my degree?
Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry program may continue to take advantage of professional enrichment opportunities in the DMin program. Alumni may attend as guests, at no additional charge, as many additional course intensives as they wish. There will be no audit or CEU credits.
This benefit is also open to those who have completed the required number of coursework credits for a degree (26), but have not yet finished a project/dissertation. Guests must register in advance with the DMin office.
What is the distance education delivery fee?
As an extension program student, you are provided valuable research tools through your online access to the James White Library. Many subscription databases are included in this set of resources, available to every currently-registered Andrews University student. The distance education delivery fee is a small amount charged to your account for every semester you continue in the program, to help cover the costs of the subscription databases and the computer infrastructure that delivers it to you.
I've been registered for program continuation; what does that mean?
In order to keep you active in the Andrews registration system, you will be registered every semester you are in the program, either for credits (in the terms you attend intensives) or for program continuation (zero credits and zero tuition). This will give you unobstructed access to university services including the library. Another important benefit is that it keeps student loans in deferred status. This registration is not optional--you are expected to secure financial clearance so you can be registered every term you are in the program.
May I change cohorts after I have begun my program?
Yes, you can. You have six years to complete the program, so after one year you would still be able to change to a new cohort in a different concentration and be able to complete in the time frame allowed. You would begin from the start with the new cohort. We strongly urge that you also retake GSEM730, GSEM706, and GSEM790 (when applicable). There will be no tuition charged when GSEM courses are taken a second time. It will be the participant's responsibility to negotiate the assignment proposal appropriately.
If I change cohorts will I have to repeat required courses or modules?
We strongly urge that you do. Your educational experience is largely an outcome of relational learning dynamics with your cohort and group. For that reason we want you to go through the entire program with your cohort.
If I change cohorts will I have to pay a second time for the same required course or module?
You do not have to pay twice for the same course or module within the allotted time of your program.
May I substitute a module from a different concentration and continue in my concentration?
No, since the educational experience includes the relational contracts with your cohort and work group, you may not make such substitutions. You are able to attend other intensives as a guest once you have completed 26 credits.
What happens if I miss an intensive for my cohort?
Intensives are required and the dates are announced when you enroll for the program. You are required to attend each intensive, and no absences are granted. If you should become seriously ill or a member of your immediate household hospitalized requiring your attention, you may request approval to do independent study with your lead teacher to make up for the contact time lost in the intensive. You will be required to fulfill the usual assignments for that module in your cohort.
8/11/2009
