Doctor of Ministry

Mission

The DMin program is designed to equip ministry leaders for a high level of excellence in the practice of ministry.

Program Description

The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional degree for pastoral and ministry leaders. Talbot's Doctor of Ministry program is designed to help ministry practitioners make their maximum impact in ministry. Our goal is to help leaders develop the skills necessary to accomplish God's unique agenda for their lives and ministry.

The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to equip leaders of various Christian ministries for a high level of excellence in the practice of ministry. We offer an expanding number of specializations that utilize a cohort-based faculty-mentor led model of education. Students meet for intensive two-week residencies every year for three years, and complete major projects between residencies. A doctoral project is required. Students have twelve semesters to complete all program requirements including the doctoral project.

The Doctor of Ministry is offered with the following specializations:

Talbot's program is designed for people currently engaged in full-time ministry and builds upon the Master of Divinity degree.

The distinctives of Talbot's Doctor of Ministry program are as follows:

  • Specialty-focused. In order to help students maximize their particular ministries, Talbot offers a growing number of specializations.
  • Cohort-based. Students participate in an academic pilgrimage with classmates who share their particular ministry passion (cohort).
  • Faculty-Mentor-led. Each cohort is led by a Talbot or Biola faculty member who is recognized as an expert in his or her field of ministry and who wants to share his or her life and insights. They walk with the cohort through every residency and guide the students' doctoral projects. Learning occurs within the context of relationship.
  • Practitioner-sensitive. Assignments are integrated into the students' life and ministry.
  • Spiritual Formation-oriented. With the assistance of Talbot's Institute for Spiritual Formation, we help students in the areas of spiritual growth and soul care. We help students develop the mind and spiritual character necessary for effective ministry.

D.Min. Program Timeline

Year One Residency

  • Pre-Residency Coursework (complete reading and assignments)
  • Two-Week On-Campus Residency
  • Spiritual Formation Module during the first weekend of the first residency.
  • Post Residency Project

Year Two Residency

  • Pre-Residency Coursework (complete reading and assignments)
  • Two-Week On-Campus Residency
  • Post Residency Project

Year Three Residency

  • Pre-Residency Coursework (complete reading and assignments)
  • Two-Week On-Campus Residency
  • Post Residency Project

Year Four Doctoral Project (with optional years five and six)

  • Submit an acceptable doctoral project proposal
  • Write a doctoral project
  • Present the doctoral project and be evaluated
  • Submit final acceptable copy of approved doctoral project

D.Min. Program Components

Part I. Residency Phase (3 years)

Pre-Residency Preparation (3 Times)

The semester before each residency, extensive reading and preparation are assigned by the faculty-mentor. Participants should plan to devote at least one day per week to their coursework in preparation for the residency.

Residency (3 Times)

Each year's two-week residency consists of ten days of classroom instruction and discussion. The courses are designed sequentially for the participant to acquire increasing competency in the selected area of concentration, both in terms of conceptual understanding and praxis. A principle focus of each residency is the participant's own preparation.

Post-Residency Projects (3 Times)

Following each of the residencies, students will complete a project in their place of ministry that relates to the coursework covered in the residency. This is known as a "post-residency project." During the residency, the faculty-mentor will inform the student about expectations for content, necessary components, matters of form and deadlines. Post-residency projects are completed during the semester following each residency.

Part II. Doctoral Project Phase (1–3 years)

Doctoral Project and Presentation (1 Time)

The doctoral project is the capstone project of the program. It is the culmination of previous learning in the program and a demonstration of the student's ability to conduct doctoral level writing and research in the area of specialization. In addition to the faculty-mentor, the participant will be assigned a second reader. With the faculty-mentor playing a lead role, these two faculty members form the doctoral project committee and guide the participant through the project, approving each aspect from the initial proposal through to the final draft. Doctoral project proposals will only be accepted from those students who have maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA. The final requirements for degree completion are the participant's successful presentation of the completed doctoral project in an oral presentation to the doctoral project committee, and the presentation of acceptable final manuscripts. Fee: $500 per semester. Credit(s): 0.

Extension of Program

Students are granted twelve semesters to complete the Doctor of Ministry Program. Extensions are not encouraged. Students who have completed the doctoral project classes (TTMN 880, TTMN 881, TTMN 882, TTMN 883, TTMN 884, and TTMN 885) but have not completed an acceptable doctoral project, may apply for an extension. The student must complete the Doctor of Ministry Application for Extension. On the application form, the student must demonstrate that steady progress has already been made and furnish a compelling reason why additional time is needed. Furthermore, the student must describe an action plan with a proposed timeline detailing how he/she will complete the project within the extra time requested. On the application form, the D.Min. office must affirm that there is a reasonable expectation that the student will finish on time if an extension is granted. Applications are reviewed and extensions are granted at the discretion of the Dean of Academic Records. Extensions are granted one year at a time. Fee: $750 per semester. Credit(s): 0.