Professional Doctoral Studies
Purpose and Nature of the Degree
Our vision is to form humble servant-leaders for the global Church. The Professional Doctoral Studies exists to develop reflective and expert practitioners in ministry who will grow not only in ministry comprehension and competence, but also in character and virtue. Because it is a doctoral degree program, the student is expected to pursue a high standard of expertise in ministry reflection and practice. Students will be challenged to think biblically and critically about the work of ministry and to articulate and demonstrate a thorough biblical and theological vision for ministry practice. When students graduate, they can be confident they have achieved a level of excellence in their area of study and have been equipped for more effective ministry leadership.
Concentrations of Study
Students in both the DMin and DEdMin can choose from one of the following concentrations for their program:
- Biblical Counseling
- Christian Formation and Discipleship
- Christian Leadership
- Church Revitalization
- Evangelism and Missions
- Executive Leadership
- Family Ministry
- Great Commission Apologetics
- Pastoral Theology (DMin only)
- Text-Driven Preaching (DMin only)
- Worship Leadership
Admission Requirements
Prospective students seeking to apply should complete the online admissions application at www.swbts.edu/applynow. Additional information can be requested from the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies by phone at 817.923.1921, ext. 6700, or by email at dmin@swbts.edu for DMin students and dedmin@swbts.edu for DEdMin students.
Students may apply at any time of the year. The seminar cycle begins in the fall semester so students are encouraged to complete the application process no later than April 1. This timing will ensure that students can enroll in and complete the online research and writing courses before their concentration seminars begin. Applicants may complete the application process by an August 1st deadline to be considered for Fall enrollment, or by a December 1st deadline for Spring enrollment.
DMIN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. An earned MDiv degree (72-hours) or equivalent from an accredited institution.
2. A 3.0 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate-level studies.
3. Significant ministry experience demonstrated through a ministry résumé.
DEDMIN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1. An earned MTS (36-hours) or equivalent from an accredited institution.
2. A 3.0 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate-level studies.
3. Significant ministry experience demonstrated through a ministry résumé.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Ministry Employment: Applicants must be employed in vocational Christian ministry during the time they are enrolled in the degree. Exceptions can be made for special circumstances, such as missionaries on furlough or international students who will be returning to their home countries to complete the doctoral project.
2. Background Check: Applicants must complete a background check through the Admissions Office.
3. Transcripts: Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degrees.
4. References: Two (2) Confidential Reference forms, one academic and one personal. The academic form must be completed by a professor from whom applicants have completed a graduate level course. The professor must have an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
5. Statement of Ministry Endorsement form
6. Current ministry resume
7. A 3-5 page “History of Ministry-Related Experience.” This paper should note specific ministry responsibilities, significant relationships, influential works, and spiritual insights gained from them. It should also include how the specific concentration that students are applying to will enhance their current ministry practice.
Applicants must be approved for general seminary admission prior to consideration by the Professional Doctoral Office. Any former Southwestern student wanting to return for additional studies is asked to complete a full re-admission process. An applicant who has not previously attended Southwestern Seminary should comply with current admission standards. Exceptions to any admission requirements must be approved by the Professional Doctoral Studies office prior to the student’s acceptance and enrollment. Due to the institution's doctrinal convictions, only male students will be considered for Pastoral Theology and Text-Driven Preaching majors in the Doctor of Ministry program.
Those applicants who have not completed an MDiv or ATS approved Master of Arts degree, but have completed another type of Master’s degree, must contact the Professional Doctoral Office to request a transcript evaluation. Some applicants may need to complete leveling work before their Master’s degree can be considered equivalent to the MDiv or Master of Arts degree. Please note that all leveling work must be completed before students can begin seminars.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete all the steps listed above for the normal application process
2. A transcript from an international institution will require certification to demonstrate its equivalence to graduate-level work in the United States. International applicants must contact and submit their transcripts to SpanTran (www.spantran.com; 2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451, Houston, TX 77057; 713.266.8805; fax: 713.789.6022) for evaluation. The evaluation service sends evaluation results directly to the Office of Admissions.
3. Submit either TOEFL or Duo Lingo scores as part of the application process. The minimum TOEFLscore for unconditional admission is 100. The computer-based TOEFL will be accepted if it is less than two years old. The minimum Duo Lingo score for unconditional admission is 120. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada and other non-USA citizens who have successfully completed an accredited English language-based Master's degree from a North American institution may petition the Professional Doctoral Office to have this requirement waived. The Office of Professional Doctoral Studies reserves the right to require an English proficiency test in cases where language deficiencies are found to exist even though a waiver could be granted.
An applicant from outside the United States must meet U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to study at Southwestern Seminary in any program. Any approval of the applicant's admission to the DMin Program is contingent upon the applicant maintaining proper status. Southwestern Seminary’s International Student Services Office communicates regularly with the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies to assure that all DHS regulations are followed.
KOREAN DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM
Southwestern offers the entire Doctor of Ministry curriculum in the Korean language. This unique program requires students to attend seminars in Fort Worth two different times throughout the year. One seminar occurs in the summer semester and the other in the fall/spring. Each seminar is two weeks in duration, meeting eight hours a day for ten days. Students are required to do both pre-seminar and post-seminar assignments. Students must also be present in Fort Worth for at least three cohort meetings per year. In between the seminars and cohort meetings, students complete research and assignments that are submitted to faculty for evaluation at regular intervals. All of this yearlong seminar work is registered as a single 12-hour doctoral seminar.
ACCEPTANCE
Applicants will be notified of the final decision on their application in writing by the Professional Doctoral Office. Upon acceptance into the program, the Professional Doctoral Office will send a letter of acceptance as well as information pertaining to registration and other necessary program details.
DENIAL OF ADMISSION
Applicants who are denied admission, and who wish to reapply, must wait at least one year before doing so. All requirements not previously met must be satisfied before admission is possible.
ENTRY DEFERMENT
Those students who are approved to begin the DMin or DEdMin Program may delay initial seminars up to a maximum of one academic year by submitting a formal petition to the Director of Professional Doctoral Studies for approval. After this one-year period, students must submit a written request to begin the program, along with an explanation of the changes in circumstances which will permit the student to pursue the DMin or DEdMin degree.
Program Structure and Timeline
The Professional Doctoral Program at Southwestern presents a unique design intended to provide excellent instruction and distinct Christian formation while maintaining flexibility within a student’s ministry context. Thus, the program can be broken down into three major components 1) annual seminars, 2) guided discussions, and 3) ministry coaching. Additionally, students begin the writing process for their doctoral project soon after acceptance by means of two online seminars. These seminars are intended to acclimate the student to doctoral research and writing and the mechanics of the Ministry Research Project. The Ministry Research Project represents the culmination of their professional doctoral work. The doctoral cycle takes place as follows:
|
YEARS 1-2 |
||
| Acceptance and Enrollment | Introduction to Research & Writing 4 wks online Contextualized Ministry Leadership 4 wks online |
Students will also work on their project proposal in two stages, and a project supervisor will be assigned. |
| Fall Semester Sept-Dec |
LiveSync Guided Discussions Monthly, Sept-Nov Seminar 1 Assignments |
Individual Coaching Sept & Dec |
| January | Annual Southwestern Seminar Seminar 1 OR 3 (Mon-Wed) Seminar 2 OR 4 (Thurs-Sat) |
Chapel Equipping Lunch Fort Worth Experience |
| Spring Semester Feb-May |
LiveSync Guided Discussions Monthly, Feb-April Seminar 2 Assignments |
Individual Coaching Feb & May |
| June-Aug | Contextualized Writing | Chapters 1-2 (Year One) Chapters 3-4 (Year Two) |
|
YEAR THREE |
||
| Sept-Mar | Project Conclusion | Oral Defense |
| May | Graduation | Doctoral Ceremony |
The annual seminar week is structured as follows:
| ANNUAL SEMINAR WEEK SCHEDULE | ||
| Mon-Wed | M-Tu (8:00am-5:00pm) W (8:00am-11:00am) |
Foundational Seminar 1 (Year One) OR Foundational Seminar 3 (Year Two) |
| Wed - Fri | W (1:00pm-5:00pm) Th-F (8:00am-5:00pm) |
Foundational Seminar 2 (Year One) OR Foundational Seminar 4 (Year Two) |
The DMin and DEdMin can be completed in 3 years, but the maximum time allotted is 6 years. Students who extend their program beyond six years must submit an annual written request to the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies to extend their program.
SEMINARS OFFERED BY CONCENTRATION
| Biblical Counseling |
|
| Christian Formation and Discipleship |
|
| Christian Leadership |
|
| Church Revitalization |
|
| Evangelism and Missions |
|
| Executive Leadership |
|
| Family Ministry |
|
| Great Commission Apologetics |
|
| Pastoral Theology (DMin only) |
|
| Text-Driven Preaching (DMin only) |
|
| Worship Leadership |
|
PDS Degree Requirements
Writing Seminars
| Course Title | Course Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Doctoral Research and Writing | DMNRW 6002 | 2 |
| Contextualized Ministry Leadership | DMNRW 6012 | 2 |
| Concentration Seminars | ||
| Biblical Counseling Theoretical and Foundational Factors in Counseling Ministry |
DMNBC 6014 | 4 |
| Counseling Methodology: Historical and Contemporary | DMNBC 6024 | 4 |
| Practical Application and Strategies in Biblical Counseling | DMNBC 6034 | 4 |
| Marriage and Family Counseling | DMNBC 6044 | 4 |
| Christian Formation and Discipleship Biblical and Theological Foundations for Christian Formation and Discipleship |
DMNCF 6014 | 4 |
| Christian Formation and Discipleship in the History of the Church | DMNCF 6024 | 4 |
| Leading Christian Formation and Discipleship in the Church | DMNCF 6034 | 4 |
| Current Issues in Christian Formation and Discipleship | DMNCF 6044 | 4 |
| Christian Leadership Organizational Leadership for Christian Ministry |
DMNCL 6014 | 4 |
| Leadership Development for Christian Ministry | DMNCL 6024 | 4 |
| 2 elective seminars from another concentration | 8 | |
| Church Revitalization Introduction to Church Revitalization |
DMNCR 6014 | 4 |
| Church Revitalization and the Great Commission | DMNCR 6024 | 4 |
| The Role of Preaching and Worship in Church Revitalization | DMNCR 6034 | 4 |
| The Role of the Leader and Pastoral Ministry in Church Revitalization | DMNCR 6044 | 4 |
| Evangelism and Missions Theology of Evangelism and Missions |
DMNME 6014 | 4 |
| History of Evangelism and Missions | DMNME 6024 | 4 |
| Anthropology and Contextualization in Missions and Evangelism | DMNME 6034 | 4 |
| Ecclesiological Factors of Evangelism and Missions | DMNME 6044 | 4 |
| Execute Leadership The Leader as Theologian |
DMNEL 6014 | 4 |
| The Leader as Innovator | DMNEL 6024 | 4 |
| The Leader as Communicator | DMNEL 6034 | 4 |
| The Leader as Strategist | DMNEL 6044 | 4 |
| Family Ministry Theological Foundations for Family Ministry |
DMNFM 6014 | 4 |
| Family Ministry Models and Practice | DMNFM 6024 | 4 |
| Biblical Response to Issues in Children's Ministry | DMNFM 6034 | 4 |
| Biblical Response to Issues in Student Ministry | DMNFM 6044 | 4 |
| Great Commission Apologetics Biblical and Theological Foundations for Apologetics |
DMNAP 6014 | 4 |
| The History and Practice of Apologetics | DMNAP 6024 | 4 |
| Apologetics and the Great Commission | DMNAP 6034 | 4 |
| Current Issues in Apologetics | DMNCP 6044 | 4 |
| Pastoral Theology (DMin Only) Biblical and Theological Foundations for Pastoral Theology |
DMNPT 6014 | 4 |
| The History and Practice of Pastoral Care | DMNPT 6024 | 4 |
| Theology of Church Membership and Polity | DMNPT 6034 | 4 |
| Pastoral Theology and Leadership | DMNPT 6044 | 4 |
| Text-Driven Preaching (DMin Only) Introduction to Text-Driven Preaching |
DMNEP 6014 | 4 |
| Preaching the Old Testament | DMNEP 6024 | 4 |
| Preaching the New Testament | DMNEP 6034 | 4 |
| Great Preachers and Their Preaching | DMNEP 6044 | 4 |
| Worship Leadership Theology and History of Christian Worship |
DMNWL 6014 | 4 |
| Worship Leadership and Design | DMNWL 6024 | 4 |
| 2 elective seminars from another concentration | 8 | |
| Education Seminars (DEdMin Only) | ||
| Foundations of Teaching | DEDMN 6204 | 4 |
| Foundations of Coaching and Consulting | DEDMN 6214 | 4 |
| Contextualized Project Writing I Project Stage | COLLM 8011 | 1 |
| Contextualized Project Writing II | COLLM 8021 | 1 |
| Project Implementation | COLLM 8030 | 0 |
| Successful Project Defense | COLLM 8028 | 8 |
| Total DMin Degree Hours | 30 | |
| Total DEdMin Degree Hours | 38 | |
Course Descriptions
Descriptions of the PDS Seminars may be found in the Course Descriptions section of the catalog in their respective schools.
Program Fees
Information concering the cost of both the DMin and DEdMin program can be found on the Student Fees and Payment section under the Enrollment Services page of the catalog.
Need More Information?
Additional information can be requested from the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies by phone at 817.923.1921, ext. 6700, or by email at dmin@swbts.edu for DMin students and dedmin@swbts.edu for DEdMin students.
Ready to Apply?
Prospective students seeking to apply should complete the online admissions application at swbts.edu/admissions/apply/.