Ministry (DMin)
Credential: Doctor of Ministry
Location: Online
Program Director: Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Assistant Program Director: Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Introduction: The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is a terminal professional doctorate that provides the opportunity for a post-Master of Divinity (MDiv) education to pastors, missionaries, para-church ministry leaders, teachers, and other Christian leaders to heighten professional development. The DMin at Capital Seminary and Graduate School provides academic coursework in leadership studies with the integration of research and application. The delivery of the program allows students to pursue intensive advanced study through online learning while remaining employed full-time in their vocational settings. The degree serves people who have earned the MDiv degree (or its equivalent), and currently serve as associate or senior pastors or executives of church-related or other Christian service organizations.
Program Purpose: The DMin promotes empirical research, creative reflection, and entrepreneurial application to the practice of ministry through interdisciplinary studies in Bible, 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 faith-based organizations.
Program Philosophy: The Doctor of Ministry is a cohort-based program. Students will enter with a group of 10-14 other students and follow a prescribed sequence of courses together. Cohort learning offers one of the most effective educational opportunities available to doctoral students. Genuine, rich, and deep relationships will be developed throughout 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.
Program Core Competencies
Three core competencies are developed in the Doctor of Ministry program. These include specialized skills in contextualized leadership studies, theological/biblical reflection, and applied research.
Advanced Ministry Concentration - The student will gain the ability to think and execute skillfully in the field of Strategic Leadership.
Theological/Biblical Analysis– In each of the courses, students will have the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between the course's general content and its biblical/theological foundations. By doing so, students will be able to integrate their understanding of leadership concepts to the study of Scripture and practical theology.
Applied Research Skills - The student will learn to use several applied research approaches for the benefit of their own ministry and the church worldwide . Applied research is a cyclical, iterative approach that allows for lifelong exploration for solving problems and developing greater understanding. As part of their studies, DMin students will gain the essential skills needed to develop and implement a Ministry Research Project in a local context.. Graduates of the program are equipped to be researcher/scholars who think deeply, engage problems fully, explore creative solutions, and share what they are learning.
DMin Curricular Structure/Degree Requirements
Core Values
At the heart of the program students will encounter the following core values. These core values frame how the program is delivered:
Emphasis on collaborative, cohort-based learning. – The best learning is done in the community, so we are intentional about creating environments and experiences that promote collaboration.
Emphasis on academic and personal mentorship that supports students' development of self-awareness, spiritual formation, and recognition of capacities.
Emphasis on global and contextualized instruction that considers the understanding and application of knowledge to diverse environments.
Emphasis on academic rigor and excellent scholarship that promotes meaningful contributions to the knowledge and practice of Christian Ministry.
Emphasis on the integration of theory and practice to support diverse vocational callings.
Course Sequencing
Students will be required to take six core seminars in the program and two courses on the dissertation. Among the six seminar courses the students will take, 4 of them will be in their concentration area of strategic leadership (i.e., MIN 811, MIN 842, MIN 843 & MIN 844), and two seminars will be on research and writing (i.e., MIN 850 & MIN 851). After completing the six-seminar sequence, students will work specifically on their dissertation (i.e., MIN 890 & MIN 891). As part of the sequence, students will take two courses per semester in the fall and spring semesters. In the summer semester, students will do independent work researching the literature and clarifying research questions for their dissertation before their last semester. What follows is a description of this format.
Year #1
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Fall Semester
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Spring Semester
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Summer Semester
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MIN 850 Contextual Ministry Praxis (Research 1)
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MIN 811 Marriage and Family Issues
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No Classes –
Dissertation Literature Review
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MIN 844 Formational Leadership in the Digital Age
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MIN 842 Innovation and Change
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Year # 2
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Fall Semester
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Spring Semester
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Summer Semester
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MIN 851 Applied Research Seminar (Research 2)
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MIN 890 Mentored Research Design – Prospectus (Dissertation Chapters 1-3)
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No Classes –
Program Delivery and Assessment
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MIN 843 Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
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Year #3
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Fall Semester
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Spring Semester
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Summer Semester
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MIN 891 Applied Research Dissertation (Dissertation Chapters 4-5)
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MIN 891 Applied Research Dissertation (Continuation) - (Dissertation Chapters 4-5)
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| ORI 800 | Orientation | 0 |
| MIN 811 | Marriage and Family Issues | 4 |
| MIN 842 | Innovation and Change | 4 |
| MIN 843 | Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships | 4 |
| MIN 844 | Formational Leadership in the Digital Age | 4 |
| MIN 850 | Contextual Ministry Praxis Seminar | 4 |
| MIN 851 | Applied Research Seminar | 4 |
| MIN 890 | Mentored Research Design | 4 |
| MIN 891 | Applied Research Dissertation | 6 |
Strategic Leadership Concentration
As a result of this concentration, the student will do the following:
- Describe strategic leadership as portrayed in the Bible.
- Develop personal leadership knowledge and skills for the current ministry context.
- Generate a set of strategies for leading the current ministry context.
- Formulate an action plan for change within the current ministry context.
- Select a set of initiatives to increase the effectiveness of the leader within a current ministry context.
- Support conclusions identifying truth and discerning deception using critical thinking.
- Compose documents that express logical conclusions with support from scholarly literature gathered through research.
- Develop qualitative and quantitative research skills for the design and analysis of effective program evaluation.
| MIN 811 | Marriage and Family Issues | 4 |
| MIN 842 | Innovation and Change | 4 |
| MIN 843 | Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships | 4 |
| MIN 844 | Formational Leadership in the Digital Age | 4 |
| MIN 850 | Contextual Ministry Praxis Seminar | 4 |
| MIN 851 | Applied Research Seminar | 4 |
| MIN 890 | Mentored Research Design | 4 |
| MIN 891 | Applied Research Dissertation | 6 |
Application, Admission, Retention, and Graduation
Foundational Literature
Upon admission to a research doctoral program, all new students are required to read/review a significant literature base of selected texts by the end of the first year of the program. However, due to the intense nature of course work as well as the relevance of the precedent material to required courses, students are highly encouraged to complete this reading prior to beginning course work. This precedent literature is reflective of the common knowledge base students need in preparation for the research seminars.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the PhD program must hold an earned and accredited master’s degree in an appropriately related field. Applicant’s transcripts should reflect a background in biblical, theological and ministry studies at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. Those applicants who have not completed course work in biblical, theological, and ministry studies may be required to successfully complete “leveling” work to prepare the applicant for the biblical and theological component of the program.
Applicants who are deficient in meeting the above requirements must take additional course work to attain equivalency. This process is called “leveling.” Several options for leveling academic deficiencies are available to students. You should discuss deficiencies with the Director of PhD in Leadership Studies. Equivalency options through the completion of additional approved academic courses include: campus-based courses; web-based courses; taking courses at a Capital site; completing academic courses at another accredited institution; etc. Documentation of experiential learning is possible for the demonstration of equivalency. Such determinations are made by the Director of the PhD in Leadership Studies.
The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for admission to a research doctoral program is equivalent to the letter grade “B+” (3.25 on a 4.0 scale).
Applicants might be asked to take the MAT (Miller Analogies Test, www.milleranalogies.com) or GRE (Graduate Record Exam, www.ets.org/gre/general/register) and submit their score as per the application process. The test scores may not be more than five years old at the time of application.
Applicants whose first language is not English must attain a minimum test score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL General Test (250 on the computer-based exam or 100 for the Internet-based test) or an equivalent demonstration of the ability to read, write and do academic research in standard English.
Application Process
Application for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership (PhD) should begin with as much lead-time as possible, as some application requirements involve time delays.
PhD administrators and faculty only review fully completed files because a partially completed application does not always give an accurate picture of the ability to do doctoral work. Thus, applicants with borderline cumulative or area grade point averages but with significant successful ministry experience can be evaluated on the basis of both achievements, not just the GPA. Some applicants mistakenly assume a short-coming in one admission criteria automatically disqualifies them from admission. In reality, significant achievements in other admission criteria may accommodate a short-coming in another area.
Steps to Apply
- Complete the Application Form (include $40 non-refundable application fee): PhD Application
- Submit Additional Documents
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended;
- Three Recommendations for Admission (two academic, one pastor)
- Complete Standardized Testing
- If required as an additional assessment by the Director of the PhD in Leadership program, applicants must take and submit official test scores for the GRE or MAT.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam (TOEFL).
Complete Interview, Field Essay and Research Sample
- All applicants must complete an admissions interview. If necessary for additional assessment, applicants will be asked to write a field essay on a topic related to leadership.
- Applicants will receive a reading list and study guide to aid in preparation for the field essay. Applicants must use a laptop computer to produce the essay.
- Applicants must also submit a graded research paper written at the master’s level.
Application Response
Once the applicant’s file is completed in full, the Capital faculty evaluates the applicant’s profile in terms of demonstrated and potential ability to complete doctoral studies successfully at the research doctoral level. 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 admissions 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 admissions 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.
Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within three weeks of the submission of all application materials.
Statute of Limitations and Continuation Fee
Students who have not completed their dissertation by August 31 following the established completion date of their program (three years of full-time coursework) will be charged an administrative continuation fee for each term (fall and spring) until the dissertation is completed, or until the student withdraws from the program, or until the statute of limitations (five years) is reached. In cases where the statute of limitations has been extended beyond five years, the schedule of administrative continuation fees will remain in force.
Graduation
COMMENCEMENT
Doctor of Philosophy graduates are strongly encouraged to participate in a commencement ceremony. Ceremonies are typically offered in December and in May at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. PhD graduates may have the opportunity to select a graduation location based on what ceremonies are scheduled at the time of their program completion.
CAP AND GOWN
The doctoral tuition price automatically includes the cost of a rented cap and gown for graduation. Information on how to be measured for the cap and gown will be sent to graduates early in the semester of graduation. The rented cap and gown is only a mortarboard with a basic all black gown. However, the regalia associated with the Church and Ministry Leadership department will reflect appropriate colors for the degree and school.
Doctoral students may wish to purchase their own cap, hood, and gown at their own expense. Those who purchase the doctoral gown often opt to have royal blue chevrons on the sleeves and front panels of the gown (the traditional color for PhD degrees).
Students planning to order a cap, hood, and gown should do so as early in the semester of graduation as possible so that the regalia arrives in time for graduation.
PREPARING FOR GRADUATION
Doctoral students are encouraged to remember that all financial obligations to the college must be paid in full before they can graduate. It is strongly encouraged to consider payment in full to include payment for the binding and microfilming and copyrighting of the dissertation.
All paper copies and the digital copy must be to the Director of PhD in Leadership on April 1st in order to graduate spring semester, or November 1st in order to graduate fall semester. Missing pages, paper copies, and digital copies will delay graduation to the next semester.
Program Director:
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Kevin currently serves as Chair of the Church and Ministry Leadership department and as the Director of the PhD in Leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business/Economics and a Master of Arts in Missions and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He also received a Masters of Divinity and a PhD in Educational Studies with a minor in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL.
Kevin’s primary passion is to develop Christian leaders who biblically and critically think with the purpose of influencing the world for Christ. He also has deep interest in how leadership is formed in multiethnic settings. He has written on these topics in numerous journals and presented at several conferences around the country. He recently published a book on the Theology of Play.
Prior to joining Lancaster Bible College, Kevin served in a variety of churches, most recently as Senior Pastor for 18 years at Harvard Avenue Evangelical Free Church, a multiethnic congregation in Chicago, IL. Kevin has been married to Penny since 1996. They have two children, Ashleigh and Ryan.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys hiking and sailing. He is a self-described “thrill seeker” who is open to trying anything once.
Assistant Program Director: Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Debra is very passionate about doctoral education and research. She longs to see each doctoral student fully equipped for good ministry. She believes that scholarship and research are, and should be, inextricably tied to practice. Also, good education should never be simply for the sake of knowing something. Knowledge that is not applied has very little value. Her hope is to see every graduate of both Ministry doctoral programs equipped to do research within the areas where they feel called by God. It is her desire that each doctoral student will be empowered to be the kind of researcher-scholar that elevates practice in powerful ways – making themselves and others into exceptional practitioners. This should first be accomplished through their coursework and dissertation and then as God leads them to continue to gain and apply more knowledge and wisdom for the benefit of the church universal.
To help ensure that all Ministry doctoral students are well equipped, Debra is focused on supporting excellent professors and dissertation readers, designing cutting-edge courses, creating helpful resources, and collaborating with the Director to elevate the quality of the DMin and PhD in Leadership programs.
In her free time, Debra has a lot of hobbies. She enjoys many types of crafts, cooking, reading, and making music.
Faculty
Debra Johnson-Cortesi, PhD
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Amy Davis Abdallah, PhD
Steve Yates, PhD