The Doctor of Educational Ministry degree program is designed to enhance the service of those actively involved in vocational or bi-vocational educational ministry by providing advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented educational ministry.
The Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin) program helps Christian educators develop the biblical rationale, sociological strategy, and practical implementation of their ministry through group-based cohorts or individualized study.
Requirements
Generally, you need three years of ministry experience and a DTS MACE or equivalent degree to begin your Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin).
Admission Requirements
In addition to the common admissions requirements for all degree programs (please refer to the Admission section of this catalog), specific prerequisites apply to DEdMin applicants depending on the applicant’s prior master’s-level preparation. Applicants with a theological master’s degree (MACE or its equivalent) are eligible to enroll in the traditional 39-hour DEdMin program. Applicants with a non-theological master’s degree in education or a related field are eligible to enroll in the two-stage DEdMin program.
Applicants must supply the requisite written admission materials and must have a personal or phone interview with members of the faculty. Prospective DEdMin students may apply for admission at any time. The application deadline for the summer seminar is March 1, and the deadline for the winter seminar is August 1. Further details on admission requirements and procedures are available from the Admissions office.
Course Requirements
All courses are six months in length and include one or two weeks of residence in either January or July. During the pre-resident months, students read and interact with course material. After the course meets for the resident week, students complete assignments that are appropriate for their ministries. (DTS alumni are allowed to audit the resident portion of a course as space permits.) Registration for summer DEdMin courses must be completed by March 15, and registration for winter DEdMin courses must be completed by September 15. Electives in the various areas of concentration are listed in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.
All work leading to the Doctor of Educational Ministry degree must be completed in no less than three and no more than six years from the time of matriculation. A minimum grade of B- must be received in every course credited toward graduation and also on the applied research project.
Additional information on DEdMin policies and procedures is provided in the Doctor of Ministry Handbook.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer of up to 10 hours of doctoral-level credit may be applied toward the DEdMin degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Normally only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the DEdMin degree. Requests for transfer of credit should be sent to the director of DEdMin studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved by the DEdMin committee prior to taking the course.
Admission to Candidacy
Students may be admitted to candidacy for the DEdMin degree by action of the faculty only after these requirements have been met: (1) completion of all residency requirements leading to the degree; (2) the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 21 semester hours of coursework; (3) evidence of proven Christian character; (4) effectiveness in Christian ministry; and (5) adherence to the following doctrines: the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the spiritual lostness of the human race, the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and the physical return of Christ.
Students applying to candidacy for the DEdMin degree must also provide a written letter of reference from the local church or organization where the student is serving, endorsing the student’s ministry.
Students must be admitted to candidacy before they can register for DM7103 The Applied Research Project. Three of the 6 hours that remain for completion of the degree can be taken concurrently with DM7103 (3 hours).
Applied Research Project Requirements
The applied research project is the student’s major research project in the degree program. It must be directly related to his or her ministry and must make a significant contribution to the field of professional ministry as well as to the student’s personal life. The project normally should deal with some aspect of educational ministry related to communication, administration, nurture, or program leadership. The length is to be appropriate for the subject as judged by the student’s advisors.
If the applied research project is not completed within the first year after enrolling in DE7103, then the student will be required to register for DE7105 Applied Research Continuation each summer and winter term until the project is completed.
Details on the procedures and deadlines for topic approval and proposal and for first and final drafts of the applied research project are available in the Doctor of Educational Ministry office and in the DEdMin Handbook.
Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the DEdMin degree must have completed 36 credit hours of coursework (or 79 credit hours for the two-stage DEdMin) and the 3-hour applied research project, along with any other requirements that may have been assigned. A minimum grade of B- must be received in every course credited toward graduation and on the applied research project. The completion of minimum requirements does not automatically qualify a student for the degree.
Diplomas will not be awarded, transcripts issued, or placement assistance provided unless all financial obligations to the seminary and/or the student loan program are current.
Cohort Emphases
The Doctor of Educational Ministry program follows a model in which students, in consultation with their advisor, customize their degree plan around individual ministry needs and goals. In the cohort model, students proceed through the courses necessary for their emphasis with a small group of ministry colleagues.
Children’s Ministry
This cohort is designed to influence the leadership and development of healthy children’s ministries through exposure to children’s spirituality research, theological perspectives of ministry to children, contemporary issues, curriculum design, and trauma informed ministry practices.
Discipleship, Mentoring, and Coaching
This cohort comprises three two-term seminars that will explore the biblical and theological foundations, cutting-edge programs, and ministry education strategies pertaining to the effective practices of discipleship, mentoring, and coaching in ministry contexts. A major focus will be to design and evaluate sustainable context-specific discipleship, mentoring, and coaching ministries to build up the body of Christ worldwide.
Spiritual Formation
This cohort-based emphasis provides advanced training in Christian spiritual formation for ministry practitioners. Special attention will be given to the theology and history of Christian spirituality, personal and corporate practices of spiritual formation, and the process of providing spiritual nurture and guidance to others. This cohort-based program will further provide advanced study on topics related to the history and practice of soul care, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation in small groups.
Pastoral Senior
This emphasis provides advanced equipping of pastors and chaplains for pastoral ministry to aging populations in local church and parachurch organizations. This cohort will include biblical, theological and practical study to help the student design and implement effective and sustainable senior care ministries in the local church and senior living communities to meet the actual needs of senior adults and their families.
Chinese Educational Ministry Leadership
This cohort-based emphasis provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented educational ministry for those ministering in Chinese-speaking commu- nities throughout the world. This cohort focuses on church and parachurch educational ministry leadership issues, challenges, and opportunities unique to ministry in the Chinese culture.
Marriage and Family Ministry
This cohort-based emphasis explores biblical and theological foundations, cutting-edge programs, and ministry education strategies. Certification in the use of research-based tools for marriage and family educators will be included. A major focus will be to design sustainable, context-specific marriage and family ministries, particularly in the church.
Women in Ministry
This cohort-based Christian Education program provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented ministry for women. It is designed to support and promote the complementary role of men and women in ministry.
Multi-Cultural Ministry
This emphasis provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented ministry for multicultural church leaders serving the local church and parachurch organizations. This cohort program is designed to help ministry leaders through a study of the principles, leadership issues, challenges, and opportunities uniquely confronting multicultural church leaders with the goal of helping students take their ministry to the next level. Attention is given to leadership development and case-study research method.
Program Details
DEdMin Process and Details
The heart of the DEdMin is flexibility and personalization. To begin, you will create an overall plan of study. This plan may emphasize one of several areas such as Advanced Academic Ministry, Educational Leadership, Marriage and Family Ministry, Spiritual Formation, or Women in Ministry. Students may also design a degree plan with a varied approach. That plan, which is evaluated annually, originates from individual goals and an assessment of the perceived strengths and limitations of each student.
Program Goals
Students in the DEdMin program will:
- Conduct biblically and theologically integrated professional applied research within their chosen field of study
- Construct and assess biblical educational ministries that are effective in a variety of contemporary contexts
- Enhance identified ministerial skill such as teaching, leadership, administration, discipleship, spiritual formation, educational programming, and communication
- Manifest personal, spiritual, and professional growth that reinvigorates and deepens vocational calling toward greater ministry effectiveness
Financial Aid
Through our donors and Foundation, we are able to offer hundreds of scholarships to students every year.
Logos Bible Software
Every student at DTS receives a copy of Logos Bible Software customized with additional commentaries and resources, and DTS courses integrate Logos into assignments and learning.