
The Doctor of Educational Ministry degree program is designed to equip Christian educators to lead in the church! It enhances 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 admission in the Fall term is July 1, Spring term is October 1, and Summer term is March 1. Further details on admission requirements and procedures are available from the Admissions office.
Course Requirements
All courses are only 3 days long, with two courses offered in a single week during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms permitting the student to complete 18 credits per year. The first course meets Monday-Wednesday, the second course meets Thursday-Saturday.
Preparatory assignments will be given for completion prior to the week-long intensive, and additional work may be completed after the week-long intensive.
Registration for each term is usually conducted mid-semester and can be completed online.
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.
Concentrations
The Doctor of Educational Ministry program does allow the student to select a concentration based on their own individual ministry needs and interests. In these concentrations, students have three alternative courses within the program that focus on a particular course of study within a network of likeminded ministry colleagues.
Next Gen Ministries focus
This concentration consists of three courses designed to influence the leadership and development of healthy next generation ministries (children, youth, and young adult) through exposure to research, theological perspectives, contemporary issues, curriculum design, and best ministry practices.
Discipleship, Mentoring, and Coaching
This concentration of three courses 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.
Women in Ministry
This concentration of three courses 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.
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 concentration of three courses explores biblical and theological foundations, cutting-edge programs, and ministry education strategies. A major focus will be to design sustainable, context-specific marriage and family ministries and initiatives, particularly in the church.
Program Details
Prescribed Courses | Research Design | Dissertation |
---|---|---|
DE7101 Educational Ministry Leader | DE7102 Dissertation Research Design | DE7103 Applied Research Project |
DE7310 Instructional and Learning Theory | DE7902 Dissertation Literature Review | |
DE7320 Group Process | ||
DE7340 Strategic Research Development* | ||
DE7350 Educational Technology* | ||
DE7371 Advanced Bible Teaching | ||
DE7372 Curriculum Design* | ||
DE7374 Trends in Contemporary Christian Education | ||
DE7535 Developing Leadership | ||
ID7201 Computer Tools for Biblical Exegesis | ||
30 Hours | 6 Hours | 3 Hours |
Total DEdMin Hours: 39
*Concentration courses may be substituted in place of the four courses above.
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 . . .
- be able to integrate theology into their approach to Christian education.
- be able to contextualize their education ministry into their cultural and congregational context.
- develop their leadership capacity in the context of educational ministries.
- learn to use educational methods as a means of leadership.
- personally mature as a Christian leader in educational ministry.

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.