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D.Min. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baptist Bible Seminary Accredited?
Can I transfer credits from another school?
Does BBS offer D.Min. distance education courses?
What is the modular class format?
Are scholarships available?
How does the D.Min. degree differ from a Ph.D. degree program?
What are your eligibility requirements for acceptance?
What if I do not have a Master of Divinity?
Do I have time to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree with my busy ministry schedule?
What is the Individualized Learning Contract?
What are some distinctives of Doctor of Ministry education?
Is Baptist Bible Seminary Accredited?
Baptist Bible Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 267.284.5000, www.msache.org).
Baptist Bible Seminary has been approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant the Doctor of Ministry degree.
Can I transfer credits from another school?
A maximum of nine credit hours of transfer is allowed for students entering the D.Min. program with a M.Div. degree and three credit hours for students entering the D.Min. program with a Th.M. degree. The transfer credits must be earned at a recognized regionally-accredited graduate school or seminary. Requests for credit transfer will be considered by BBS on a case-by-case basis.
Does BBS offer D.Min. distance education courses?
No, at the present time, we do not offer any of the D.Min. courses via distance education. Students in the D.Min. program may remain in their ministry contexts and attend intensive, short-term, on-campus residencies.
Distance education courses are offered at the Master's level for students who are entering the D.Min. program under the M.Div. equivalency program.
What is the modular class format?
The modular class format is an intensive, one-week residency on-campus. The courses also require work both before and after the on-campus session. This may include pre-readings, written assignments prior to the on-campus week, and writing assignments after the on-campus week. The one-week modular courses meet on-campus during February, June, and October.
Are scholarships available?
In an attempt to keep costs as low as possible for all participants, scholarships are not available for the D.Min. program. However, D.Min. students are eligible for VA benefits and private student loans, some of which offer deferred payment schedules.
How does the D.Min. degree differ from a Ph.D. degree program?
Both are terminal degrees, but the D.Min. is a professional doctoral degree designed to enhance the abilities of a student to minister in his context. Unlike the Ph.D., the D.Min. is not a research doctoral degree. Research doctorates are designed to equip persons for original research, writing, and teaching in a particular discipline. While the D.Min. involves research in its own right, the desired outcome is greater insight into the nature and purposes of ministry for the improvement of its practice. Read more...
What are your eligibility requirements for acceptance?
The student must furnish evidence of graduation from a Master of Divinity program in an acceptable seminary or graduate school. Upon receipt of an application, the director of the D.Min. program and the D.Min. admissions committee will supervise the student's acceptance into the program and monitor his progress through the program. A student who has completed a Master of Theology degree will receive an advanced standing of six credit hours. Read more...
What if I do not have a Master of Divinity?
A student with the equivalent of a Master of Divinity degree may be qualified upon approval by the admissions committee. A student who possesses a one- or two-year Master's degree in biblical studies may qualify by completing sufficient graduate courses for equivalency. The graduate courses taken at another school must be approved by the admissions committee. Counseling will be provided to assist in this phase of preparation.
Do I have time to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree with my busy ministry schedule?
The BBS Doctor of Ministry degree program allows you the opportunity to earn your degree while accomplishing your ministry goals. Your advisor will assist you in developing the following steps:
Step 1 – Establish a five-year goal for your ministry.
What is the most significant new ministry you want to add?
What major modifications do you want to make to an existing ministry?
Your Dissertation Project is the five-year goal for your ministry.
Step 2 – Map out your selection of courses for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
The course schedule is established, and you can plan your course selection for the next five years.
Three of your ten courses are required, and seven are free electives.
You can take three of your electives through independent study, transfer, or other means of study.
Step 3 – Divide your ministry goal into ten major areas of concentration.
Match the areas of concentration with individual courses from the D.Min. degree.
If there is not a course which corresponds to a particular ministry goal, you have the option of independent study, transfer, or other means of study.
Step 4 – Take a Doctor of Ministry course.
Fulfill the Learning Contract for the course requirements.
Accomplish one of the major areas of your ministry goal.
Write a chapter of your Dissertation Project.
Step 5 – Complete your Dissertation Project.
Accomplish your five-year goal for your ministry.
Graduate with a Doctor of Ministry degree.
What is the Individualized Learning Contract?
The assignment for every course is built around a learning contract in which the student and faculty/mentor agree on outcome goals and procedures for the study. This allows the student to direct the focus of his study for each class in the direction that best fits his needs and ministry focus. The learning contract is the blueprint for learning to be followed in applying the seminar content and in writing the seminar project.
What are some distinctives of Doctor of Ministry education?
Flexible scheduling – Courses are taught in a one-week format that is held on-campus three times a year. This allows students to continue with their ministry while pursuing their education.
Individualized course selection – Only three of the ten courses required for the D.Min. degree are designated. The remaining courses can be selected by the student according to his needs and interests. Also, three of the seven elective courses can be earned through independent study or transfer credit.
Oriented to the student's ministry – The learning contract must relate directly to the student's ministry, and each student is strongly encouraged to include his ministry leadership team in both the design and implementation of the learning contract. This means that his church and/or ministry will grow and mature even as he takes courses.
Self-directed reading and data gathering – The selection of the reading and research for the completion of the learning contract is determined by the student in accordance with the learning contract goals. D.Min. students normally have 16 weeks from the date of the learning contract to complete the project.
Peer influence and interaction for leadership development – The benefits of doctoral study include being stimulated by fellow ministry professionals, developing leadership competence, and continuing growth in biblical and theological foundations for ministry. Students are also encouraged to draw upon the experience and knowledge of other students and their leadership team in the design and implementation of the learning contract.
Personal growth – The Doctor of Ministry degree opens new doors of opportunity. At Baptist Bible Seminary, the busy pastor can enjoy the stimulation, personal growth, and intellectual challenge of pursuing a doctorate without the restrictions of geographical distance or a rigid academic schedule.
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