FTSA Doctor of Ministry
Name of Program: Doctor of Ministry
Credential: DMin
Location: Brazil, Blended format
Introduction
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is a terminal professional doctorate that provides the opportunity for post-Master of Divinity (MDiv) education to pastors, missionaries, para-church ministry leaders, teachers, and other Christian leaders as a means to heightened professional development. The DMin through FTSA and Capital Seminary and Graduate School provides academic coursework and adds the elements of practical research and application. The delivery of the program does not require full-time residency for students. Through blended learning, ministry professionals are able to pursue intensive advanced study while remaining employed on a full-time basis in their vocational settings. Generally, the degree serves people who have earned the MDiv degree or its equivalence, are ordained, and are currently serving as associate or senior pastors, or as executives of church-related or other Christian institutions.
Program Purpose
The DMin promotes empirical research, creative reflection, and entrepreneurial application to the practice of ministry through interdisciplinary studies in Scripture, theology, and ministry practice. The degree’s purpose is to enhance the critical thinking, research, and leadership skills of persons engaged in the leadership of congregations or church-related institutions.
Program Philosophy
The Doctor of Ministry is a cohort-based program. Students will enter with a group of approximately 15 other students. The cohort will follow a prescribed sequence of courses together. Because cohort learning involves a group of students who start and finish their degree together, students experience a number of educational advantages. Cohort learning, combined in a blended manner with both face-to-face and internet-enhanced learning, offers one of the most effective learning opportunities available to doctoral students. Genuine, rich, and deep relationships will be developed through the course of the program as students support and serve each other in the quest for knowledge. As part of a cohort group, doctoral level students will be expected to exhibit a posture of collaboration, not competition.
Educational Philosophy
This program combines faculty-mediated online interaction with face-to-face seminar participation. This model enables students to benefit from a range of educational delivery systems while maintaining the highest level of academic quality. Students participate in online discussions and other learning activities led by both the professor and fellow students. In person interactions involve open dialogue in face-to-face seminar sessions led by nationally renowned and published faculty members.
Seminar Format
Using the blended learning model described above, each concentration seminar has three learning components:
• Pre-Seminar Component (typically, 7 weeks): Students complete pre-seminar reading and assignments and participate in online, asynchronous discussions.
• Face-to-Face Component: Seminars will be conducted at a pre-determined location (locations may vary, but will be in Brazil) and will consist of 24 hours of face-to-face seminar instruction.
• Post-Seminar Component (typically, 6 weeks): Students complete post-seminar reading and assignments and participate in online, asynchronous discussions.
Program Core Competencies
Three core competencies are developed through the Doctor of Ministry program. These include specialized skills, contextualized leadership skills, and action research skills.
Advanced Ministry Concentration - The student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully in a selected field of ministry study. Concentrations include Applied Biblical Languages, Chaplaincy Studies, Ministry Care and Counseling, Preaching and Teaching, and Strategic Leadership.
Contextual Ministry Leadership Praxis – Building on the concentration study area, the student will gain skills in contextualized ministry leadership. All students take one seminar designed to create increased leadership competency in their particular concentration field. This seminar seeks to develop the skills of problem-solving, change management, and decision-making within the context of team leadership in the student’s concentration area.
Applied Action Research Skills - The student will gain skills in doing applied research for the purpose of increased ministry effectiveness. DMin students gain the basic skills needed to develop and implement a Ministry Research Project in a local ministry context. Lifelong research skills are developed which are transferable to ministry after the completion of the degree program.
FTSA DMin Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Overview of Program Competencies
The DMin program requires a minimum of two years of study. Students will complete 34 hours of academic study as follows:
Competencies and Credits for Each
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Program Orientation
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0 credits
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Advanced Ministry Concentration Seminars
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16 credits
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Contextual Ministry Praxis Seminar
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4 credits
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Applied Research Seminar
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4 credits
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Mentored Research Design
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4 credits
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Applied Research Dissertation
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6 credits
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Program total
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34 credits
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Core Values
Though not necessarily curricular in nature, these core values frame how the program is delivered:
Life-on-Life Learning – The best learning is done in community, so we are intentional about creating environments and experiences that promote collaboration.
Life-Engaged Learning – Focused on contextualization and application, we design programming for life and ministry-engaged learners.
Life-Long Learning – Our program is a learning journey designed to equip leaders with skills to implement and evaluate real change within their context for the rest of their lives.
Life-Change Learning – Though an academic pursuit, our degree is part of a discipleship process, leading participants to the development of a self-awareness and recognition of capacities.
Required Courses
FTSA Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must have:
•
A completed application
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A personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ
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An earned and accredited Master of Divinity degree or an appeal process for acceptance with MA, letter of appeal, and ministry experience
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A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 7 (on a 0-10 scale) in previous master’s work (Note: if you are coming from an institution that uses a different GPA scale, your GPA will be converted as it applies to this scale)
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Field Essay (if necessary – will be assessed with Rubric for DMin Writing)
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English Reading Comprehension
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References
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A 15-page research paper written at the master’s level (assessed with Rubric for DMin writing)
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Interview with Representative from FTSA
Application Process
Application Process
Application files are not considered complete and students are not considered for admission until the following tasks are completed:
1.
Complete the DMin Application
2.
Pay $40 non-refundable application fee. (Checks made payable and mailed to “Capital Seminary & Graduate School”; or call the Business Office to make credit card payment)
3.
Submit additional documents:
Official transcripts from all degree granting post-secondary schools attended
Two Recommendations for Admissions forms (one academic, one pastoral)
Personal Testimony
A 15-page research paper written at the master’s level
Field Essay (assessed with Rubric for DMin Writing)
4.
Complete an Interview
Students are required to complete an in-person or zoom interview
Application Response
Application Deadlines and Admission Evaluation
In order for an applicant to be considered for participation in a DMin cohort, all application requirements should be completed 90 days prior to the cohort start date. Once an application file is complete and the interview has taken place, Capital Seminary faculty will evaluate the applicant’s profile in terms of demonstrated and potential ability to complete doctoral studies successfully. The committee makes a consensus admission decision on applicants (five decisions are possible) using the following scale:
• Full Acceptance: The applicant is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
• Accepted with Deficiencies: The applicant is accepted into the program with admission’s academic deficiencies identified.
• Accepted on Review Status: The applicant is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the applicant ‘s application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admission’s requirements.
• Delay: The applicant may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being filled, a change in the student’s life situation, or an event preventing the applicant from attending the first program session. Delayed status applicant will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
• Declined: The applicant who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.
Because of our priority on creating excellent cohort communities, admissions decisions are made and communicated approximately 60 days prior to the cohort start date rather than in connection to the date the application process is complete.
Enrollment
- Prospective students who are offered admission have 30 days to accept or decline the offering of admission. Acceptance of admission requires a financial deposit to hold a position in the cohort. Prospective students who fail to respond within 30 days automatically forfeit the offer of admission.
- Doctor of Ministry students are automatically enrolled in upcoming seminars by the Capital Registrar, assuming they are in good academic and financial standing.
- At the completion of the first year, students are automatically enrolled for the 4-credit Mentored Research Design. After successful defense of their Prospectus, they are registered for the 6-credit Applied Research Dissertation.
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Retention
Continuation Fees and Statute of Limitations
The Capital Seminary and Graduate School Doctor of Ministry program is designed to be completed in three years. Students who have not completed their Applied Research Dissertation within four years of their cohort’s start date will be charged an administrative continuation fee for each term (fall and spring) until the project is completed, or until the student withdraws from the program, or until the statute of limitations is reached. Completion of the Applied Research Dissertation refers to the student’s ARD having been successfully defended and accepted. The statute of limitations for the Doctor of Ministry program is 5 years. All requirements for graduation from the DMin program must be completed within 5 years of the student’s original cohort start date.
a) The continuation fee applies to full-time students continuously enrolled in courses for three years. If a student takes a semester off, that semester does not count towards the three years. For example, if a student takes one semester off, continuation fees will be applied after three and half years (three years + the semester the student took off).
b) Students who are defending their dissertations and thus completing the program that term will still be required to pay the fee. Students who successfully defend their dissertations before the first day of class for a term will not be charged the fee even if revisions are required from their hearing.
c) Students who feel they have been prolonged by reader changes or other issues caused by Capital Seminary oversight will be directed to speak to the program director for special consideration.
Special circumstances: if students step out of the program for a semester or longer due to significant life circumstances, e.g. health issues, family matters, vocational changes, financial hardships, etc., they are responsible for making an agreement in writing with the program director that the semester(s) they withdrew from the program will not be counted towards the time limits stated in point 1 above. A determination of the time limit will be assessed by the program director for all students who are part-time.
Waivers will only be granted if the above special circumstances apply.
Graduation
Graduation
In addition to completing all academic requirements for graduation, all financial obligations to the college must be paid in full before a doctoral student can graduate.
Final versions of Applied Research Dissertation must be submitted to the Church & Ministry Leadership Department two weeks before the next graduation ceremony. Incomplete submissions may delay graduation to the following semester.
Commencement
Doctor of Ministry graduates are expected to participate in commencement ceremonies.
FTSA DMin Program Design
Designed for "Life-Engaged" Learners
"Life-engaged" learners are students who are actively engaged in family, church, and professional life while participating in the doctoral program. While the program is intensive in nature, the time required on campus will not necessitate relocation or require students to leave their current leadership context. This is accomplished through an internet enhanced delivery model. Students are physically on campus for six days, three times in the first academic year only, in October, March, and July. Between these sessions, students are involved in an internet enhanced learning environment where interactions and assignments occur online.
Cohort Learning Community
The DMin is a cohort-based program. Students will enter the program with a group of 15 other students. This cohort follows a prescribed sequence of courses together. Because cohort learning involves a group of students who start and finish their degree together, students experience a number of educational advantages. Cohort learning, combined in a blended manner with both face-to-face and internet-enhanced learning, offers one of the most effective learning opportunities available to the doctoral student. Genuine, rich, and deep relationships will be developed through the course of the program as students support and serve each other in the quest for knowledge. As part of a cohort group, doctoral level students will be expected to ground their research in significant and pertinent literature and to share resources with their colleagues in preparation for on-site seminars.
Internet Enhanced Learning
This program combines faculty-mediated online interaction with face-to-face seminar participation. This model enables students to benefit from a range of educational delivery systems while maintaining the highest standards of academic quality. Students participate in online discussions and other learning activities led by both the professor and fellow students. On campus interactions involve open dialogue in face-to-face seminar sessions led by nationally renowned and published faculty members.
Using a mediated learning model described above, each course has three learning components.
Pre-Seminar Component: During the seven weeks prior to each seminar, students complete readings and other pre-seminar assignments. During this component of the course, students are required to participate at least three hours each week in online discussions led by the professor.
Face-to-Face Component: Seminars will be conducted at the Lancaster site or at an approved site using an accelerated format. Each seminar will consist of 24 hours of face-to-face seminar instruction. Research seminars will engage students in critical reflection with the seminar content.
Post-Seminar Component: During the six weeks following the face-to-face component of the seminar, students complete post-seminar readings and research. Students will also participate three hours each week in online discussions led by students in the cohort.
Faculty
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Rubens Muzio, PhD
Antonio Barro, PhD
Jorge Barro, PhD
Robert Reyes, PhD