Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 2005-2006 Page: 143

                                
Graduate School of Theology  143

BGRK 621 Intermediate New Testament Greek or
BHEB 681 Intermediate Hebrew
BIBL 611 Old Testament Theology or
BIBL 621 New Testament Theology or
Text elective
BIBL 679 Theological Reflection in Practice
Text elective, 3 hours
3. History/Theology, 15 hours:
BIBH 651 or 652 History of Christianity I, II
BIBD 660 Introduction to Systematic Theology
BMIS 673 History of Missions
BMIS 675 Theology of Mission
BIBH 664 Advanced Restoration History
4. Missions/Ministry, 27 hours:
BMIS 621 Fundamentals of Spiritual Nurture
BMIS 646 Foundations of Missiology
Preaching/communication, 3 hours
International or domestic emphasis
a. International emphasis, 18 hours:
BMIS 647 Ethnotheology
BMIS 648 Planting and Developing Churches
BIBM 651, 652, 656 Supervised Practice of Ministry I, II, VI
BIBM 629 Field Education
BMIS 689 Folk Religions and New Spiritualities
BMIS 645 Missionary Anthropology or
BMIS 697 Worldview and Worldview Change
b. Domestic emphasis, 18 hours:
BIBM 670 Worship
BMIS 652 Developing New Churches in North America
BIBM 651, 652, 656 Supervised Practice of Ministry I, II, VI
BIBM 629 Field Education
BMIS 610 Evangelism in North America
BMIS 653 Growth Strategies for Established Churches or
BMIS 680 Urban Mission
5 Electives, 6 hours: consult with advisor.
6. BIBD 672 Introduction to Graduate Studies, 3 hours; (or elective,
consult with advisor).
7. Comprehensive exam.
8. English Bible exam.
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMIN)
Charles Siburt, Advisor
ACU Box 29405, Abilene, Texas 79699-9405
Biblical Studies Building, Room 312
Phone: 325-674-3732
Fax: 325-674-6716
Email: siburt@bible.acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/gst
The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced program oriented toward
ministerial leadership. Its purpose is to enhance the practice of
ministry for persons who hold the Master of Divinity degree and
have engaged in ministerial leadership. It is a 30-hour program that
requires a project/thesis which includes effective ministry intervention
in a specific setting, a thesis which demonstrates the integration of
theology and practice, and an oral examination. Distinguished from
academic research programs such as the PhD or ThD, the primary
emphasis of the Doctor of Ministry program is on excellence in
the practice of ministry and is not intended to be an academic
teaching degree.
The program is designed for those whose ministry will focus in'
the area of public proclamation of the Word and the development
of churches, both domestic and foreign. This program includes
biblical interpretation, theological reflection, applied leadership theory
and congregational studies.
The format of the DMin program is built around a series of eight
one-week intensive short courses taken in residence on the ACU
campus. After the initial two-week period, students may take up to
three courses per year, which are offered one week in January and
two weeks in June. Each course consists of (1) advanced readings
assigned several weeks before the first class meeting, (2) five days of
class meetings on campus and (3) a project paper(s) to be submitted
several weeks after the class meetings. All requirements for a course
must be completed before a student is permitted to enroll in an
additional course. A minimum of three years and a maximum of
six years are allowed for completion of the degree.

In-Progress (IP) grades are assigned to all students at the conclusion
of each course. After assignment deadlines are met and work is
graded, the IP is changed to a letter grade. The student is expected
to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 during the
program. A grade of "C" in a course automatically puts the student
on academic probation.
Transfer of credits from other accredited programs must be approved
by the DMin Admission and Procedures Committee. No more than
two courses may be transferred.
The Doctor of Ministry has a program fee instead of standard tuition.
Contact the advisor for more complete information regarding
scholarships, financial aid, housing and admission.
Admission Requirements
An application for admission may be obtained from the Doctor of
Ministry office. A student may be granted admission to the program
in a given year if the following requirements are met by January 31:
1. The applicant is in full-time ministry and has at least three years
of experience as a full-time minister;
2. The student has earned within the past five years a minimum
score of 450 on the verbal section of the Graduate Record
Exam (GRE) or a minimum score of 40 on the Miller Analogies
Test (MAT);
3. The applicant has submitted to the Doctor of Ministry office
official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work,
with degrees posted;
4. The student has a minimum GPA in prior graduate work of 3.2
(on a 4.0 scale);
5. The Doctor of Ministry office has received a letter from the
applicant's elders or supervisors acknowledging their approval
of the minister's participation in the program and letters of
recommendation from four persons familiar with the applicant's
personal character and performance in ministry;
6. The applicant has completed the Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Sixteen Personality Factor
Questionnaire (16PF) and returned them to the Doctor of
Ministry office; (A fee for this testing package is assessed. If the
applicant is admitted, the fee will cover interpretation of the
individual results during the orientation course. Additional
tests will be administered at that time without charge).
7. The student has filed a four- to six-page, typed, double spaced,
self-reflection statement describing the applicants values, needs
and objectives for growth as a Christian minister; and
8. The applicant has had a personal interview with the Doctor of
Ministry director.
Upon completion of all the above requirements, the applicant's file
is reviewed by the Doctor of Ministry Admissions and Procedures
Committee for official action. Students are informed by letter of their
admission as soon as a decision is reached.
Course work in the program begins in June of each year. If an
applicant does not enter at the first June residency period after being
accepted into the program, the admission will be honored for one
additional June residency period. The Doctor of Ministry program is
composed of eight courses and the project/thesis.
Prerequisites
A Master of Divinity degree, or its educational equivalent, from an
institution accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting
agency or by the Association of Theological Schools is required for
admission to the program. Ministers who hold an accredited master's
degree in religion, other than the Master of Divinity, will be required
to complete graduate courses equivalent to the standard requirements
for the Master of Divinity degree at Abilene Christian University.
An equivalency application may be obtained from the Doctor of
Ministry office.
Major Code: BIBM
Requirements for the DMin are:
1. BIBM 701 Orientation
2. Core courses, 9 hours:
BIBM 702 Biblical and Theological Foundations for Ministry
BIBM 706 Christian Leadership Development
BIBM 725 Project/Thesis Seminar
3. Electives, 15 hours: consult with advisor.
4. Project/Thesis, 6 hours: consult with advisor.
5. Oral exam: consult with advisor.