The purpose of this degree program is to equip the student for a higher level of competence in the practice of ministry than that achieved in the foundation work normally resulting in a M.Div. degree. The Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed to serve the need of ministers for an experience of continuing education which renews the personal life of faith, further develops professional competence, and stimulates continued growth in biblical and theological foundations for ministry.

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Nature of the Program

Admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program is based on high competence in theology and ministry, as well as motivation to do research in a recognized area of ministry. Competence in theology may be demonstrated by having completed a minimum of a Master of Theology Studies degree or equivalent with a balanced curriculum, including disciplines in biblical studies, ethics, and studies in ministry. Competence in ministry may be demonstrated by a documented minimum of three years of full-time ministerial service or five years part-time service. A complete transcript of previous academic work is to be submitted before an application for admission can be acted on.

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Core Courses:

The student will complete seven core courses from the listed programs, each of which constitute five semester credit hours. A 20-page paper is to be written on each topic. Upon completion of the core topics the student will be advanced to candidacy. Course listing descriptions are provided to the student in a separate document as requested. Prerequisites: 15 graduate credit hours in Bible Theology.

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The Doctor of Ministry degree requires 45 credits: 35 credits for core courses and 10 credits for the Doctoral Project.

• Doctor of Ministry Core Areas

• Christian Counseling

• Leadership

• Christian Education

• Theology

 

Guided Readings

Guided readings are to reflect an area of research that is directed toward the writing of the doctoral project. The student is to choose guided readings as approved by the Doctoral Committee, to read and reflect on; intellectually, spiritually, and vocationally. These readings must then be documented in the form of an annotated bibliography with synoptic abstracts of the works that have been read. This exercise is an opportunity for the student to begin his or her doctoral research. There is no minimum or maximum amount of words to be written, but the writings must be comprehensive enough to cover the topic. The completed Guided Readings are a part of the doctoral project.

 

Doctoral Proposal

The student is to then write a proposal for the Doctorate, describing the project according to the prescribed format. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee of GOTSI Institute. The process and format for a Doctoral Proposal is described in Research Writing Made Easy and the resource titled Steps to Completing Your Doctoral Project/Dissertation. These resources will be provided by the GOTSI Academic Advisor.

 

Doctoral Project

The student is then (upon approval of the proposal) to begin writing his or her Doctoral Project, according to the specific format. The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree, and is what provides the right to be called “Doctor.” It is worth 10 credits towards the degree program. The guidelines for the writing of the Project are again found in the book Research Writing Made Easy, and with the help of your doctoral project coordinator, you will be able to complete your goal.

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Choose one of the following emphases: 

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HUMAN BEHAVIOR​​

• DM803 - Counseling, Family Life, and Pastoral Leadership

• DM807 - Conflict Management and Resolution in Church Life

• CC840 - Clinical Applications of Counseling in the Church

• CC850 - Psychopathology and Sin

• CC860 - Psychotherapy, Pastoral Counseling, and Inner Healing

• CC870 - Psychology and Theology: A Personal Integration

• CC880 - Personality Theory, Therapy: A Christian Worldview

 

EDUCATION LEADERSHIP

• DM801 - Church Growth and Leadership

• DM810 - Leadership Principles Applied to Pastoral Ministry and Church Extension

• ED810 - Conflict Resolution in Educational Leadership

• ED820 - Human Behavior and Management in Education

• ED830 - Psychology of Learning in Education

• ED840 - Philosophy of Educational Leadership

• ED850 - Educational Leadership for Private School and Church

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OR

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Choose Seven of the Following Courses:

 

DM800 - Leadership in Pastoral Care: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of leadership in pastoral care.

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DM801 - Church Growth and Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of church growth and leadership.

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DM802 - Cross Cultural Perspectives in Pastoral Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of cross-cultural perspectives in pastoral leadership.

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DM803 - Counseling, Family Life and Pastoral Leadership: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of counseling, family life and pastoral leadership.

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DM804 - The Media, Leadership, and the Church: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the media, leadership, and the church.

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DM805 - Spiritual Development of the Pastor, Church, and Community: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of spiritual development of the pastor, church, and community.

 

DM806 - Ethics and the Church in today’s Culture – A Pastoral Perspective: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of ethics and the church in today’s culture.

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DM807 - Conflict Management and Resolution in Church Life: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of conflict management and resolution in church life.

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DM809 - Women in Ministry: The Controversy Over Ordination of Women: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the controversy over ordination of women.

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DM810 - Leadership Principles Applied to Pastoral Ministry and Church Extension: Registration in this course entitles the student to the services related to the “core topic” papers for Doctorate of Ministry requirement “Component Two.” The student will select a core topic and write a 20-page paper.

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DM811 - Missions in the 21st Century: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of missions in the 21st century.

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DM812 - The New Apostolic Reformation: Paradigms and Procedures: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of the new apostolic reformation.

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DM813 - Psychology and Theology: Conflictual or Complementary: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of psychology and theology.

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DM814 - Contemporary Theology and Evangelical Belief: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary theology and evangelical belief.

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DM816 - Renewal Ministry from a Historical Church Perspective: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of renewal ministry from a historical church perspective.

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DM817 - Revival and Church Planting – Principles of Translation: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of revival and church planting.

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DM818 - Preaching: Its place and Importance in Contemporary Worship: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of preaching.

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DM819 - Contemporary Worship: The Strengths and Weaknesses: This is an independent study project, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contemporary worship.

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Students who wish to receive the Clinical Degree concentration for the Doctorate in Christian Counseling must complete the 6 courses listed below from the National Christian Counseling Association. The cost of textbooks for each course is $100.00. The student must also complete and submit 10 Arno Profile System (APS) Reports which are $30.00 each. NCCA membership fees are $50 per year and the background check is $100.00. Completion of the courses listed below will lead to certification with NCCA.

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Clinical Degree Concentration Course Requirements

• BCC101   Basic Christian Counseling

• THE301   Temperament Theory

• THE201   Testing/Measurements

• THE306   Temperament Therapy

• PSY301    Christian Psychology and Counseling

• MPC300  Mastering Pastoral Counseling