Graduate Academic Program Overview

With a mandate to raise up Christian leaders for the Church and community, Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary recognizes the revolutionary view of leadership presented by Christ. Scripture declares that leaders are first servants and humility is the true essence of ministry. So profound and significant is this truth and blueprint for ministry that the Gospels state it several times. We are repeatedly instructed to become servants if we desire to be leaders in the Kingdom of God. Thus, we must know that God is calling ministers to be His servants, and He has given us the unsurpassed model of His Son as an example to follow. Even as Christ faced death, He modeled obedience.

The curriculum of Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary Graduate Program has been developed to prepare ministry leaders with a strong vibrant knowledge of the Word of God.  We intended to develop a thorough integration of biblical and theological knowledge with practical hands-on supervised ministry experience.

Graduate Program Objectives

Developing from the purpose and goals of the joint mission of the college and seminary, Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary purposes to fulfill its mission by:  

  • Providing classical, professional, theological training within an evangelical, Spirit-formed, and ecumenically sensitive ethos, with deep appreciation for our faith.
  • Preparing men and women for servant-oriented, lay and credentialed ministry both in the congregation and broader society.
  • Cultivating discerning leaders whose lifestyles reflect the ethical and moral vision of the Word of God.  
  • Developing leaders who understand and cultivate the corporate practice of spiritual gifts in relation to the maturation of their professional skills and the fulfillment of their unique ministry callings.
  • Enabling students to integrate biblical, theological, and professional skills through reflective and supervised ministry experiences.

GRADUATE | DOCTORAL DEGREE

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY AND DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY

The Doctoral is an advanced professional program for those persons already successfully engaged in Christian ministry.  The program is designed to enhance professional competence in the practice of ministry and theology, while providing an opportunity for the renewal of the minister’s personal and spiritual life, and to stimulate growth in the ministry. As an in-service professional ministry development program, the minister is able to remain in full-time ministry while engaged in this learning process. The Doctorate of Ministry or Theology is not a research program, but it does require demonstration of critical thought and the highest academic standards.

Program Objectives

  • Prepare candidates for advanced roles of leadership within their own particular communities of faith and cultures;
  • Help candidates renew their calling, purpose, and approach to ministry;
  • Resource candidates with advanced research skills that foster critical thought and the ability to make informed decisions impacting their lives, ministries, and organizations;
  • Provide opportunities to build relationships with peers, faculty and expert practitioners who can help expand their ministry network and cultivate life-long professional relationships;
  • Offer a flexible approach to completing post-graduate education that utilizes innovative educational strategies.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THEOLOGY  

The Doctor of Philosophy Theology is an advanced professional program for those persons already successfully engaged in Christian ministry. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology has been designed specifically to guide ministry leaders in a major research project in the area of their major concentration. Our PhD program provides the fundamentals for teaching at a seminary, religious only college, or religious only university. The PhD in Theology is the highest degree our school offers. It also will prepare our ministry leaders for a vocation in theological teaching and scholarship.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Theology is a research program and requires a demonstration of critical thought and the highest academic standards. The culmination of the Doctor of Philosophy in Theology program is the Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Capstone Project through which the student makes an important and needed contribution to Christian ministry in the Church.

Program Objectives

  • Prepare candidates for advanced roles of leadership within their own particular communities;
  • Equip ministry leaders with the essential tools for high-level scholarship;
  • Resource candidates with advanced research skills that foster critical thought and the ability to make informed decisions impacting their lives, ministries, and organizations;
  • Provide opportunities to build relationships with peers, faculty and expert practitioners who can help expand their ministry network and cultivate life-long professional relationships;