Components of the Program
The DMin degree is a 30-hour degree program comprised of three major components: seminars, supervision, and a ministry project.
Degree Requirements
| Seminars (Christian Ministry) |
|
|
(1@2hrs., 4@4 hrs. each)
|
18 hrs. |
| Seminars (Pastoral Care and Counseling) |
|
|
(1@2hrs., 4@3 hrs. each, 1@4hrs.)
|
18 hrs. |
| Supervision (2 semesters @ 3 hrs. each) |
6 hrs. |
| Ministry Project (2 semesters @ 3 hrs. each) |
6 hrs. |
| Total Hours for DMin Degree |
30 hrs. |
Seminars
Each candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree will earn 18 credit hours through the completion of seminars. DSDM 501, The Ministry as Life-long Learning, is a prerequisite for all subsequent seminars and is required of all students; in addition, DSDM 510, The Ministry of Biblical Interpretation, is required of all students. All seminars have some aspect of ministry as their primary focal point.
DMin in Christian Ministry
In addition to DSDM 501 and DSDM 510, students pursuing the Doctor of Ministry in Christian Ministry degree will select three other seminars to complete the 18 credit hour requirement. All seminars for the Doctor of Ministry in Christian Ministry are held in person on the Gardner-Webb University campus.
DMin in Pastoral Care and Counseling
The Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling is a face-to-face / online hybrid degree. As stated above, students in this degree will take DSDM 501, The Ministry as Life-Long Learning (2 hours), at the beginning of their program. This seminar will be conducted in a face-to-face format on campus. Immediately following this seminar students will then take DSDM 564, Interpersonal Relationships and Family Systems Theory (3 hours). It too will be offered in a face-to-face format on the campus of Gardner-Webb. Students will then take the following seminars, which will be offered in an online/synchronous hybrid format (for each seminar, at least sixteen hours of instruction will be conducted synchronously):
- DSDM 561 Pastoral Theology in Faith and Practice (3 hours)
- DSDM 563 Clinical Aspects of Care (3 hours)
- DSDM 565 Crisis Intervention Theories (3 hours)
Once Pastoral Care and Counseling students have completed these seminars (as well as DSDM 510, The Ministry of Biblical Interpretation, offered face-to-face on campus; 4 hours), students will meet on campus for two sessions of Peer Learning Supervision (6 hours total).
Supervision
Each DMin candidate will complete a minimum of two semesters of Peer Learning Supervision (six hours) under the direction of a School of Divinity-appointed Field Supervisor. In lieu of one semester of Peer Learning Supervision, a candidate may substitute one basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with prior approval of the DMin Director. Candidates will participate in structured supervised peer-learning experiences related to their ministry.
Ministry Project
Candidates will design, implement, and reflect upon a self-directed, original project of ministry conducted in the minister’s own ministry setting (minimum six hours; students who do not complete the project in two semesters must register for DSDM 593 each semester until completion).
Common Courses
All Doctor of Ministry candidates will take the following two courses:
| DSDM 501 | The Ministry as Lifelong Learning | 2 |
| DSDM 510 | The Ministry of Biblical Interpretation | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Christian Ministry Concentration
In addition to
DSDM 501 and
DSDM 510 and the seminars listed below, candidates will select three four-hour seminars.
Pastoral Care and Counseling
In addition to
DSDM 501 and
DSDM 510, candidates will take the following seminars:
| DSDM 564 | Interpersonal Relationships and Family Systems Theory | 3 |
| DSDM 561 | Pastoral Theology in Faith and Practice | 3 |
| DSDM 563 | Clinical Aspects of Care | 3 |
| DSDM 565 | Crisis Intervention Theories | 3 |
| DSDM 585 | Supervised Ministry I | 3 |
| DSDM 586 | Supervised Ministry II | 3 |
| DSDM 591 | Ministry Project Development I | 3 |
| DSDM 592 | Ministry Project Development II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |