DMin Program

Program Overview

• Participants remain in their ministry while engaged in coursework. Requirements are accomplished primarily through online interactions with minimal on-site expectations (a 4-5 day module twice per year).
• Designed as a cohort learning experience. Cohorts are comprised of individuals from a variety of ministry backgrounds that remain together for the core courses allowing deep and meaningful relationships to be formed.
• The 30-credit program consists of eight 3-credit classes, three 1-credit research seminars, plus the final DMin project (3-credits). Thus, in its entirety, the degree will take approximately three and a half to four years to complete.
• New cohorts begin every fall but participants can enter in any semester. In-person modules are usually February and October.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the DMin Program must meet the following requirements:

• Have earned a ministry-related master’s degree or MDiv degree from an accredited graduate school.
• Give evidence of ability to do doctoral level work as indicated by a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in previous, accredited graduate study.
• Demonstrate significant ministry experience.
• Be currently involved in full-time or co-vocational ministry (e.g., pastor, teacher, missionary, denominational or para-church organizational leader, chaplain, evangelist, counselor, etc.).

Coursework Requirements for completion of the DMin Program

The program consists of:

• Core Courses
• Elective Track Courses
• Project Research and Writing

CORE COURSES

(12 HOURS)

Core 1 – PTH 901 Renewing the Spiritual Leader (3 credits)

Developing into a leader worth following includes self-leadership, other-leadership and Pentecostal spirituality. A critical appraisal of leadership models is presented as the class develops a synthetic model of Christian leadership considered from a Pentecostal perspective and based on foundations of personal development and integrity.

Core 2 – PTH 911 Pentecostal Ministry in the 21st Century (3 credits)

Pentecostalism has reached the centenary mark, an event that would have been unimaginable to its first generation. Not surprisingly, Pentecostals face major challenges related to the cherished theological, spiritual, and liturgical distinctives that once uniquely identified them. This course examines dynamics of the early movement, the nature of the crucial changes that have occurred and what Pentecostalism may look like in its second century of existence.

Core 3 – PTH 902 Biblical Theology of Ministry (3 credits)

This course gives special attention to developing the skills and methods of biblical theology for the study of scripture and equips the participant to successfully complete the biblical-theological component of the DMin Project. The course also explores the role of biblical-theological reflection in leadership, ministry development and preaching.

Core 4 – PTH 905 Leading Christian Organizations (3 credits)

Organizational and strategic leadership of the contemporary church or organization with special consideration given to the integration of biblical values, contemporary leadership theory, and the participant’s ministry context.

ELECTIVE TRACKS

(9 HOURS, 3 CREDITS PER COURSE)

Contextual Leadership

Sample of courses:

• Conflict Management
• Spirit-Empowered Leadership
• Relational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
• Church and Contemporary Moral Issues

Spiritual Formation

Sample of courses:

• Foundations of Spiritual Theology and Formation
• Role of Church Revivals in Individual Transformation and Societal Change
• Skill Development in the Care of Souls
• Spiritual Retreat: Experience and Praxis within Community

Military Chaplaincy

• Combination of any offered courses depending on the academic and personal goals of the participant.
• Qualified chaplains may transfer a portion of their officer training into the DMin Program to create an efficient and economical path to complete their degree. Please contact the DMin office at DMin@agts.edu for more information.

Directed Research International Study Abroad Electives

• Bible Lands Study Seminar – Israel
• Spiritual Pilgrimage Study Experience – Various locations

Self-Design

Following completion of the Core courses, a participant may work with the DMin team to construct a combination of courses, directed research and other experiences to produce an educational framework that is a precise fit to his or her specialty and context.

PROFESSIONAL PROJECT

(9 HOURS)

RES 959 Research Seminar (three 1-credit seminars)

A course designed to prepare the developing scholar for critical-analytical writing, advanced research techniques, and planning their professional project. The seminars mentor participants toward selecting and researching the topic of their professional project.

PTH 906 Project Design (3 credits)

A course designed to prepare the participant for presentation of an acceptable project prospectus to the DMin Project Committee. Components of a prospectus, research methodologies and writing strategies are explored and applied.

PTH 999 Project Development and Presentation (3 credits)

Composition and oral presentation of an acceptable written project which integrates theory and praxis and makes a meaningful contribution to the practice of ministry. All participants working on the project phase will maintain a continued registration in the program.

Unprecedented Distinctives and Learning Outcomes

Distinctives

• Convenient, flexible schedule
• Cohort format for meaningful relationships
• Personalized customer care
• Academic Coaching
• Targeting 21st Century Trends and Challenges
• Incomparable journey of personal transformation
• Cultivate a renewed professional and vocational identity
• Life-giving networks and support systems
• Access to extensive resources and world class leaders
• Writing Clinics to ensure Academic Success
• Mentored doctoral project
• Pentecostal Perspective emphasizing Spirit Empowered Ministry

Learning Outcomes

Grow in Spiritual Maturity
Deepen one’s theological appreciation of the Pentecostal tradition. Cultivate disciplines of self-leadership

Demonstrate Leadership Competency
Effectively apply new knowledge and skills to ministry practice. Become a catalyst for transformation

Exhibit Scholarly Integration
Utilize insights of biblical and practical theology including the social-behavioral sciences to enhance ministry effectiveness. Develop professional writing skills to contribute to the church at large

Utilize Ministry Networks
Develop relational health through mutually beneficial, long-term personal connections. Create support systems for sustained impact

Transfer Credit

Course Credit Transfer

An individual may transfer a total of six advanced standing doctoral credits into the DMin program. Individual applications for the transfer of credits will be evaluated based upon the following considerations:

• Credits must have been earned from ATS/CHEA–accredited institutions or those recognized by an approved foreign accrediting body.
• Participants must have earned a grade of “B” or higher in transfer courses.
• Transfer credits must be relevant to the DMin degree.

Transfer of Doctoral Credits for Clinical Pastoral Education

AGTS will accept up to 6 doctoral credits for valid/supervised clinical pastoral education provided the CPE units were not used to fulfill the master’s ministerial degree. The institution and credit must be recognized by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. accreditation commission.

To request transfer credit, official transcripts must be received by the Office of Seminary Registration before consideration for doctoral credit will be given. (Any exceptions to the standard policy must be recommended by the DMin Committee and approved by the Seminary Academic Council).

Frequently Asked Questions