Doctor of Ministry

Designed to enrich mature leaders of church denominations and parachurch organizations for greater effectiveness in leadership and ministry.

Why SBC?

Coursework highly integrated with dissertation, blended learning, Digital Theological Library, …

Requirements

Entrance Requirements

  • Accredited MDiv, MA (relevant discipline) or equivalent, GPA ≥ 3.3
  • English proficiency:
    • IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 or pass an English reading exam
  • Submit an essay (600–1000 words) that demonstrates competency in logical analysis
  • Submit a one-page proposal that indicates your research interest and topic
  • Minimum five years of full-time ministry experience, three of which are in the same environment

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete all coursework requirements with GPA ≥ 3.0
  • Submit an approved dissertation (around 50,000 words) and successfully defend it in an oral examination that demonstrates:
    • familiarity with forefront knowledge in the field of practice
    • the ability to identify challenges within one’s field of ministry
    • contextualized application of knowledge in one’s field of ministry
  • Demonstrate Christian character and spiritual maturity

Course cycle every semester

Year 1 Semester 1 Residency Credit Hours Year 1 Semester 2 Residency Credit Hours
Course 1: Research and Writing 6 Course 2: Culture and Context 6
Research Workshop: Referencing & Bibliography Management 0.5 Write: Dissertation Literature Review 0.5
Year 2 Semester 1 Residency Credit Hours Year 2 Semester 2 Residency Credit Hours
Course 3: Church Systems and Church Health 6 Course 4: Communication and Proclamation Theory 6
Write: Dissertation Methodology 0.5 Write: Dissertation Research Analysis 0.5
Year 3 Semester 1 Residency Credit Hours Year 3 Semester 2 Optional Residency Credit Hours
Course 5a: Readings in Practical Theology - General I 3 Dissertation Writing -
Course 5b: Guided Study in Practical Theology - Specialization Studies I 3
Year 4 Optional Residency Year 4 Optional Residency
Complete: Dissertation Writing Dissertation Oral Defense and Revision

Faculty Mentors in the DMin Program

Please see their research interests on their respective faculty webpage.
If the applicant’s research interest is not within the scope of our full-time faculty, we will source for a suitable adjunct faculty mentor for the applicant.

Qualified students may apply for PhD(Practical Theology) during the fourth semester:

PhD(PT) Entrance Requirements

  • DMin courses GPA ≥ 3.5
  • Pass competency exam

PhD(PT) Graduation Requirements

  1. Pass comprehensive exam
  2. Present a research paper at an academic conference
  3. Journal article accepted for publication
  4. Submit an approved dissertation (around 80,000 words) and successfully defend it in an oral examination that:
    • contributes new knowledge in the field of study
    • demonstrates contextual theological reflections of the knowledge
  1. Demonstrate Christian character and spiritual maturity

PhD(PT) Preparatory Program (Full-time)

Year 1 Semester 1 Credit Hours
Course 6: Guided Study in Practical Theology - General/Specialization Studies II or Biblical Theology 6
Pedagogical Practice 1 0.5
Dissertation proposal (early March) 2
Special Lecture & Pastoral Seminar -

PhD(PT)

1.5 to 2 years
Dissertation research & writing / Pedagogical Practices 2-4 (Pedagogical Practice 5 is optional)
Present research paper at academic conference,
submit article for journal publication
Acceptance of research article by journal or publication
Audit cross-disciplinary courses Oral defense and revision
Special Lectures & Pastoral Seminars

Blended Learning at SBC

At SBC, we seek to build up our community through blended learning: designing synchronous and asynchronous learning activities using both physical and online platforms. Students may expect to be enriched with a variety of face-to-face and online learning experiences during their studies at SBC.