About DMin

The BGU DMin program is a 40-credit hour online degree that may be completed in three years.  The program includes a 10-day-long city immersion that is located in a global city of the world. This way, students and faculty could meet in person, and build life-long relationships with friends with common values and callings on 6 continents.

* 96% of former BGU students (or alumni) say that they were personally impacted by their studies at BGU.

* 82% of BGU alumni will recommend BGU to others.

* BGU alumni describe BGU as transformational, practical degree, and globally focused.

* More than 75% of BGU alumni indicated that their BGU studies impacted their ministry at a high level.

Our DMin program provides transformational ministry leadership:

• To a global scattered community

• With an incarnational community approach

• Through relevant cross-cultural community strategies

• With an innovative and creative framework

The purpose of our DMin program is:

• Provide a practical, theological, and academic education where students learn to lead transformationally and conduct qualitative or quantitative research to inform their dissertations, which in turn create diverse models of ministry.

• To equip and educate ministry pastors, ministers, parachurch leaders, and faith-based organization leaders of global and urban communities.

Our desired outcomes are to ensure ministry leaders impact individuals, congregations, institutions, and communities to:

• Create relevant ministries in the Global Context

• Impact multi-cultural generations

• Community Development

Global Awareness

BGU's foundation to the DMin program is based upon Global Christian theology from various global cultures throughout the world.

Theology is often viewed from a Western Perspective. While Western Theological interpretation has its strengths, it is not the only view of Christian Theology.  BGU’s DMin degree offers its students the opportunity to research and examine Christian theological interpretations from various Global communities.

Incarnational Understanding

BGU guides your studies to allow you to gain an incarnational presence in your ministry. You will gain an understanding of how God is present and what God is doing in the place you are currently dwelling (ministry space). An incarnational understanding is connected to the value of exegeting your community.

Community Impact

BGU’s DMin program provides a strong practical component to studies that culminate in your dissertation. Your studies are focused on a transformational project impacting the community.

DMin Program Outline

What would your studies look like?

Design your course of studies to enhance your area of focus and ministry.

Your DMin degree will include a total of 40 credit hours. You can complete your degree with flexibility to complete your degree in two to seven years.

Foundational Core Courses (Phase 1)

• DIS         Dissertation

• OV          Urban and International Immersions

• RES        Research

• THE        Theological Studies

Focus/Concentrations (Phase 2)

• ASM       Assessment

• BUS        Business / Conflict Studies

• HST        History

• IUL         International Urban Leadership

• LDR        Leadership

• LIA         Leadership in the Arts

• MCC      Ministry in Complex Contexts

• MSF       Missional Spiritual Formation

• PRM       Practical Ministry

• PST         Pastoral Leadership

• TOW      Theology of Work

• HST        History

• WLS       Women Leadership Studies

Phase 3: Dissertation

View the DMIN Course Calendar on our Calendar Page

DMin Program Worksheet

Please contact Bruce Jackson to set up an appointment for assistance in planning out your classes for the next few years. Use the Program Worksheet (downloadable Word document) to plan out your degree, drawing from the two-course calendars.”

DMin Degree Requirements

Pursuing a DMin Degree at BGU is an awesome global theological educational experience. The following are required to pursue a DMin Degree at BGU:

• Must have a master's degree.

• Complete 40 semester credit hours and a Dissertation with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

• Students obtaining a grade of B- or lower cannot be accepted for credit towards their degree.

Students can submit their DMin Dissertation proposal after completing their Research Bridge class. They will have the opportunity to select their dissertation supervisor and a second reader. Once their dissertation proposal is approved by the Academic Cabinet, the following course of action will occur:

• Students will set up appointments with their dissertation supervisors to ensure the expected dates of submitting various chapters are completed.

• Students must demonstrate:

1.   A specific concern regarding leadership in ministry.

2.   Mobilize appropriate resources.

3.   Develop a process to address the concern and the evaluation of that response.

4.   Demonstrate the ability to reflect theologically in relation to practical global ministry.

5.   Illustrate the ability to function responsibly under supervision appropriate to the project.

• They will have their entire dissertation submitted by the date required by the Academic Dean.

• An oral defense of the dissertation will be scheduled and completed before the final recommendation is approved.

DMin Program Format

The DMin program format at BGU is interactive, creative, and innovative. The format for the classes is the following:

• Attend a BGU City Immersion Class

• Classes meet weekly via zoom

• Complete theological discussions posted on Populi

• Complete extensive required readings

• Submit book reviews, weekly journals, etc.

• Complete individual and group projects

• Research and write Dissertation

DMin Tuition and Fees

Tuition for 40 credits:

Additional Estimated Fees & Expenses

Monthly Interest Free Payment Plans are available.

1 **These costs are approximate for an entire program at Bakke Graduate University and incorporate projected tuition increases over the next few years. They are only estimates and not exact; however, it can give you a rough outside estimate for the total program cost.

The Additional Estimated Expenses are estimated high and reflect costs for students who live outside of the United States and/or those who will be taking courses that require more travel and lodging. Therefore, these will be variable depending on the location of a student and course choices.

DMin Admission Requirements

Admission to the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program at BGU is based on a selection process conducted by the Academic Cabinet (AC). The AC reviews each application thoroughly to determine the applicant's qualifications as well as compatibility of the university programs to the applicant's educational goals. The applicant will be presented to the AC for consideration after all required application materials have been received by the university.

Applicants are required to provide documents attesting to:

Degree Credential

40 credits of a master’s degree with a minimum of five years of ministry experience, and present engagement in ministry.

The applicant is required to demonstrate Bible/theology competency in the follow options:

1) Successful completion of 20 credit hours of course work in Bible and Theology.

or

2) Successful completion of the BGU Bible/Theology Competency Course (Assessment).

Final paper of the course will include a chapter demonstrating competency in Bible and Theology.

English Language

Each student must demonstrate English proficiency by:

(1) showing that it is his/her native language, or

(2) by having successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate school program in which English is the primary method of instruction, or (3) exhibiting sufficient English-language capabilities to succeed in the classroom and in the BGU DMin program as measured by a score of not less than 80 on the internet-based TOEFL or TOEFL-equivalent exams taken within the last five years. As an alternative to the TOEFL, BGU will accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), where the students have scored 6.5 or better.

Why DMin?

• Read the story of Dr. Korey Vincent Grice: "My dissertation was birthed out of helping congregations in urban cities find strategies in the merging process in order to have a long-term impact for the congregations." Read more. 

  Watch Korey's video interview HERE.