These courses are designed to be relevant to the current issues that pastors and church leaders face every day in an increasingly secularized world culture. The Research Focus represents a new and refreshing method of personalizing the area of concentration.

Online Orientation - 2 credits

Advanced Systematic Theology I AST-701 - 3 credits

Advanced Systematic Theology II AST-702 - 3 credits

Application of Apologetics AAP-701 - 3 credits

Biblical Requisites for Churches that Heal CH-701 - 3 credits

Advanced Spiritual Warfare ASW-701 - 3 credits

Personalized Focus Research PRF-700 - 15 credits

Total - 32 credits

MOR Orientation - 2 credits

The purpose of this course is to help ensure that the student will begin his or her study program at Master’s with the basic information needed to move successfully toward graduation. For this reason, this course is mandatory of all new students.

AST-701 Advanced Systematic Theology I - 3 credits

This advanced level course presents the doctoral student with the fundamental issues of Systematic Theology and how these relate to the Bible as a foundational source. In doing so, the course will introduce and expose the student to the study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; to enable the student to identify and describe key doctrinal issues; to apply that knowledge in the student's current ministry and to lead the student to analyze carefully the various theological options on key doctrinal issues; to examine those issues in light of her/his own theological stance; to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the student's own faith tradition.

AST-702 Advanced Systematic Theology II - 3 credits

This advanced level course presents the doctoral student with specific issues of Systematic Theology as they relate to God and the creation. In doing so, the course will introduce and expose the student to the study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; to enable the student to identify and describe key doctrinal issues; to apply that knowledge in the student's current ministry and to lead the student to analyze carefully the various theological options on key doctrinal issues; to examine those issues in light of her/his own theological stance; to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the student's own faith tradition.

AAP-701 Application of Apologetics - 3 credits

The purpose of this course is to confront the doctoral student with the requisite issues in the study of Apologetics; to enable the student to identify key terms and describe essential issues of Apologetics and to apply Apologetic methodology to contemporary challenges; to offer the student the opportunity to explore significant challenges to the Christian faith and apologetic responses to those challenges; to examine and analyze the competing truth claims of rival world views.

CH-701 Biblical Requisites for Churches that Heal - 3 credits

The purpose of this doctoral level course is to explore the biblical and experiential components that go into developing and leading a local church that is healthy and offers hope and healing to the lost and hurting. A church, just like a family, can be toxic and a hindrance to growth and development or it can be healthy and promote the development and growth of its members. This course will explore the healthy as well as the toxic.

ASW-701 Advanced Spiritual Warfare - 3 credits

The purpose of this course is to assist the doctoral student to undertake a deeper and genuinely biblical study of spiritual warfare within the context of the Christian life so that they acquire an advance understanding regarding the nature of spiritual warfare, and identify and describe strategies for overcoming the enemy, and to develop the student’s ability to summarize the nature of spiritual warfare and evaluate various strategies for overcoming the enemy.

PRF-700 Personalized Focus Research - 15 credits

The Personalized Research Focus component allows the doctoral student to concentrate in a ministry area of choice. The student selects the degree focus, and is guided through relevant research and writing.

For example, a pastor serving a racially and ethnically diverse community may sense a need to better understand the unique dynamics, challenges and opportunities presented in such an environment. The D.Min. student will be assisted and guided toward an appropriate research model and acceptable learning outcome.

Another example may be that of a minister who has developed an interest in some area of Biblical or secular history, and the effects of that period of time on the church today. Again, the D.Min. student will be assisted and guided toward an appropriate research model and acceptable learning outcome.

The core concept behind this unique approach is our belief that it is the individual, not the Divinity School, who knows the learning outcomes most needed to become an increasingly effective Biblical leader in a rapidly changing world.

A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or Master of Theology (M.Th.) degree or their academic equivalent from an acceptable institution (minimum of 66 credits), which included at least one of the following minimum Biblical language requirements:

6 credits of Biblical Greek - or:

3 credits of Biblical Greek and 3 credits of Biblical Hebrew 

Applicants lacking the minimum Biblical language requirements, but who otherwise meet the academic equivalent degree requirement, may satisfy the language requirements by adding either 12 credits of practical Biblical language study tool courses to their program:

Greek Word Studies for Pastors GWS-1500 (6 credits)

Hebrew Word Studies for Pastors HWS-1500 (6 credits)

or 6 credits of academic level online interactive Greek courses:

 

Biblical Greek I GK-501 (3 credits)

Biblical Greek II GK-502 (3 credits)