DMIN Course Descriptions

DMIN 500 Old Testament Introduction

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Introduces students to the literature of the Old Testament in its socio-historical, literary, and theological contexts with particular interest in spiritual formation and Christian practice.

Back to top

DMIN 501 New Testament Introduction

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Introduces students to the literature of the New Testament in its socio-historical, literary, and theological contexts with particular interest in spiritual formation and Christian practice.

Back to top

DMIN 502 Biblical Theology

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. This course explores the message and theology of important texts, blocks of texts, books, and corpora in the Bible. Students gain greater skill in advanced Bible study methods. We also deal with relating the theology of the Bible to contemporary issues.

Back to top

DMIN 503 Hermeneutics and Exegesis

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. This course familiarizes students with tools and methods for interpreting biblical texts and provides the foundation for a lifelong, careful study of the Bible. A comprehensive methodology will be learned and applied to different genres of literature, e.g., historical narrative, psalms, epistles, and apocalyptic. Since exegesis is an "art" that can be learned only by practice, course emphasis will be on "doing" exegesis; i.e., the course will take on a "workshop" format. In the process, the student will gain facility with lexica, concordances, grammars, theological and exegetical dictionaries, and other exegetical aids.

Back to top

DMIN 504 Early Church to the Reformation

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Covers the development of Christianity and Christian theology from the end of the apostolic period through the 16th century. Examines the expansion of the Church, the evolvement of Christian institutions and practice, the conflicts that confronted the Church from within and without, the reform of the Church, and the theological development of doctrines such as the soteriology, Trinity, Christology, grace and free will, and theology of the cross.

Back to top

DMIN 505 Reformation to Present

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Covers the development of Christianity and Christian theology from the Reformation to the present outside the United States. Examines various aspects of the Reformation on the Continent and in England, the effects of the Reformation, important growth and change in world Roman Catholicism and Protestantism since the Reformation, and the theological development of doctrines such as sin, salvation, sanctification, the sacraments, and the word of God.

Back to top

DMIN 506 North American Church History

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Covers the development of Christianity in the United States from its early Colonial beginnings up to the present. Gives special attention to the development of denominations, trends in theological thought, significant church leaders, and the place of the church in contemporary culture.

Back to top

DMIN 507 Ministry Leadership

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. This course studies the biblical, historical, and cultural development of leadership as a response to God's concerns in the world. The history of leadership studies and the various leadership theories are explored. The qualities and skills of the ministry leader are discussed.

Back to top

DMIN 508 Administration in Ministry

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. The purpose of this course is to enhance professional competence in ministry by providing insights and skills pertaining to the administration and management of the local church or small nonprofits. Particular attention will be given to time management, conflict resolution, delegation, conducting meetings, coordinating committees, communication among staff, managing the church office, volunteer recruitment, training and support, church finances, and tax and legal considerations.

Back to top

DMIN 509 Mission, Church, and Society

3 credit hours

A DMin MDiv equivalency leveling course. Explores the work of God in the world by examining a missional ecclesiology that is biblical, historical, contextual, eschatological, and can be translated into practice. Attention is given to the gospel as it relates to culture. What is the church? What is the church for? What is our role in relationship to the church? These questions provide the framework for the course.

Back to top

DMIN 595 Special Study- Leveling

1-3 credit hour

An individualized course of research, involving in-depth study of a particular question, problem, or issue. The student must make application for the study prior to registration for the semester in which the study will be carried out. The application must be approved by the faculty member overseeing the study and the department chair.

Back to top

DMIN 701 Customized Course I

3 credit hours

In this cornerstone course, students develop a semester learning plan under the supervision of an assigned faculty advisor that proposes a semester reading list and proposed dates/times to contact the advisor for an advising session. Following faculty-advisor approval, students complete the course reading, and produce an annotated bibliography in keeping with the stated goals of their learning plan.

Back to top

DMIN 702 Introduction to Research and Resources

1 credit hour

Introduces the tools for study and research in writing a Doctor of Ministry Dissertation. This will include orienting students to the library resources of George Fox University, Internet presence and capacities, etc., as well as how to use electronic communication and software tools effectively in research.

Back to top

DMIN 703 Content Course I

4 credit hours

The first of a four-course individualized course sequence involving in-depth study in a specific content area. Examples include: Leadership and Spiritual Formation; Leadership and Global Perspectives; Semiotics, Church, and Culture. Course fee may apply.

Back to top

DMIN 704 Content Course II

4 credit hours

The second of a four-course individualized course sequence involving in-depth study in a specific content area. Examples include: Leadership and Spiritual Formation; Leadership and Global Perspectives; Semiotics, Church, and Culture. Course fee may apply.

Back to top

DMIN 707 Critical Thinking and Research Methods

4 credit hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. The purpose of the course is to provide a forum in which students hone each other's thinking about one's role and philosophy of leadership. Additional course fee may be required.

Back to top

DMIN 708 Leadership and Spiritual Formation - Inner World of the Leader

4 credit hours

"Maturity is the willingness to take responsibility for one’s own emotional being and destiny.” - Edwin Friedman. Leadership and Formation begin in the authentic critical evaluation of one’s inner world as it is reflected in one’s daily life practices and passions. This module will provide opportunities for personal assessment and a re-alignment of one’s life rhythms with the development of a Rule of Life in community. The learning community will explore the content and skills needed for experienced Christian leaders to personally and relationally thrive throughout a lifetime. Additional course fee may be required.

Back to top

DMIN 709 Religion in Public Life

4 credit hours

Explores the historical and theological foundations of Christian engagement in public life. Students examine how faith has shaped and responded to social, cultural, political, and economic issues in global and U.S. contexts. Through historical and theological reflection, case studies, and interdisciplinary tools, students develop the capacity to act wisely and speak faithfully into public challenges.

Back to top

DMIN 711 Customized Course II

3 credit hours

In this course, students produce a semester learning plan that proposes a new semester reading list, a field-research experience, and a description of the academic essay. Students then complete the course reading, engage the field-research experience, and write the academic essay in keeping with the stated goals of their learning plans. Faculty advisors supervise, approve, and evaluate all coursework.

Back to top

DMIN 712 Developing a Topic for Research

1 credit hour

This course will assist in the process of developing and refining a topic proposal for the written DMin Dissertation and of creating a plan to complete a foundational review of literature in support of the topic.

Back to top

DMIN 717 Global Contexts and Leadership

4 credit hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. The purpose of this course is to overview, understand and critically engage the broad domains and dynamics of globalization and leadership.

Back to top

DMIN 718 Historical and Biblical Perspectives of Leadership and Formation

4 credit hours

“Spirituality is not primarily about values and ethics, not about exhortations to do right or live well. The spiritual traditions are primarily about reality...an effort to penetrate the illusions of the external world and to name its underlying truth.” - Parker J. Palmer. Leadership and Formation require an engagement with the historical and biblical footprints of spiritual leaders and texts. This module will expose the learning community to relevant biblical and historical texts on leadership and spiritual formation in order to expand imagination and critical thinking about the nature and expression of leadership and formation. Each person will explore the writings and life of a spiritual leader of a faith movement and a renowned Christian mystic, saint, or justice leader. Additional course fee may apply for face to face component.

Back to top

DMIN 719 Christian Witness in a Polarized World

4 credit hours

Equips students to act with wisdom, compassion, and spiritual maturity amid social and ecclesial division. Through case studies and consultations with leading public theologians, spiritual practices, and peer engagement, students develop a public voice rooted in conviction and bridge-building. Emphasis is placed on resisting ideological cooptation, and cultivating habits of Christian justice and reconciliation. An additional course fee may be required.

Back to top

DMIN 726 Customized Course II

3 credit hours

In this course, students refine their customized course learning plan developed in the first module and produce a second module learning plan that proposes a new module reading list, a second field-research experience, and a description of the next academic essay. Students then complete the course reading, engage the field-research experience, and write the academic essay in keeping with the stated goals of their learning plans. Faculty advisors supervise, approve, and evaluate all coursework.

Back to top

DMIN 750 Identifying the Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO)

4 credit hours

This course orients students to Collaborative Design for Ministry and Nonprofit Contexts and introduces research and design tools and library resources. Students identify and articulate their NPO and explore its contours by drafting a discovery plan, organizing and conducting a discovery workshop and follow up interviews with stakeholders, begin compiling a working bibliography, and synthesize their semester discoveries in the first milestone assignment. Students meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass/No Pass. An additional course fee may be required.

Back to top

DMIN 751 Exploring Theological and Contextual Foundations of the NPO

4 credit hours

This course serves as the primary opportunity for students to acquire, read, examine, analyze, and synthesize professional and academic literature relevant to their Project Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO) topic. Students produce a milestone exploration essay that examines the NPO’s history and context, the biblical and theological foundations, and identifies key voices. This academic paper is a mapping exercise that helps students understand the full landscape of the topic, and learn as much as possible about the layers of history beneath. Students meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 795 Special Study

1-3 credit hour

An individualized course of research, involving in-depth study of a particular question, problem, or issue. The student must make application for the study prior to registration for the semester in which the study will be carried out. The application must be approved by the faculty member overseeing the study and the department chair.

Back to top

DMIN 801 Customized Course III

3 credit hours

In this course, students produce a semester learning plan that proposes a new semester reading list, a field-research experience, and a description of the next academic essay. Students then complete the course reading, engage the field-research experience, and write the academic essay in keeping with the stated goals of their learning plans. Faculty advisors supervise, approve, and evaluate all coursework.

Back to top

DMIN 802 Designing a Research Model

1 credit hour

The process of developing a design proposal for the Dissertation.

Back to top

DMIN 803 Content Course III

4 credit hours

The third of a four-course individualized course sequence involving in-depth study in a specific content area. Examples include: Leadership and Spiritual Formation; Leadership and Global Perspectives; Semiotics, Church, and Culture. Course fee may apply.

Back to top

DMIN 804 Content Course IV

4 credit hours

The final of a four-course individualized course sequence involving in-depth study in a specific content area. Examples include: Leadership and Spiritual Formation; Leadership and Global Perspectives; Semiotics, Church, and Culture. Course fee may apply.

Back to top

DMIN 805 Dissertation Continuation

1 credit hour

To maintain enrollment until dissertation is complete. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 807 Global Leadership Habits, Practices and Dynamics

4 credit hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. An interactive course in which students explore the nature of leadership from multiple methods and domains, including, theory, behavioural psychology, and theology. This will be brought into contact with an analysis of students own leadership, their ministry place organisational dynamics and history of Christianity. Additional course fee may apply for face-to-face intensive.

Back to top

DMIN 808 Processes & Principles of Systemic Transformation

4 credit hours

“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” Rosa Parks. Leadership and Formation are fundamentally geared towards resilient and systemic change in tune with the kingdom purposes of God. This module will engage the learning community with current research on the physical, relational, cultural, and spiritual complexities of transformation processes. Each person will create a contextualized model for transformation which solves a specific need for change in a community system. Additional course fee may apply for face to face component.

Back to top

DMIN 809 Creating Public Theology

4 credit hours

Prepares students to develop theologically-informed responses to pressing social, cultural, political, and economic issues. Students explore critical conversations around topics such as race and ethnicity, economics, politics, gender, class, ecology, and technology using interdisciplinary approaches. The course emphasizes justice-oriented, contextually aware theological frameworks for public leadership and community transformation.

Back to top

DMIN 811 Customized Course IV

3 credit hours

In this course, students produce a semester learning plan that proposes a new semester reading list, a field-research experience, and a description of the next academic essay. Students then complete the course reading, engage the field-research experience, and write the academic essay in keeping with the stated goals of their learning plans. Faculty advisors supervise, approve, and evaluate all coursework.

Back to top

DMIN 812 Writing the Dissertation

1 credit hour

The process of research, planning, and writing in preparing the Dissertation.

Back to top

DMIN 817 Contextualising Global Leadership Challenges for Local Contexts

4 credit hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. This course functions to distill a vision or "dream" for leadership that arises out of the student's theology of leadership and that guides his or her thinking in the final formulation of the dissertation.

Back to top

DMIN 818 Cultural, Artistic, and Global Engagement

4 credit hours

“So every day I was surrounded by the beautiful crying forth of the ideas of God” - Mary Oliver. Leadership and Formation flourish in the soil of creativity, culture, and engagement with the world. This module will explore the impact of art, culture, social media, and the environment on healthy leadership and authentic formation. The learning community will actively experience the formational value of differing cultures, artistic expressions, and engagement with justice concerns. Each person will develop a creative or active skill which requires involvement with a different culture or engagement with the environment and justice concerns. Additional course fee may apply for face to face component.

Back to top

DMIN 819 Storytelling for Cultural Impact

4 credit hours

Develops students’ ability to communicate theological ideas with clarity, creativity, and cultural resonance. Students craft compelling narratives and acquire practical skills for a variety of platforms and mediums. The course emphasizes storytelling as a tool for spiritual formation, leadership, and public witness. An additional course fee may be required.

Back to top

DMIN 850 Discovering Stakeholder Perspectives Concerning the NPO

3 credit hours

In this course, students engage select stakeholders from their context in a design workshop and follow up interviews. Students assess the real needs of those impacted by the NPO by identifying three promising design concepts for addressing the NPO. This includes proposing prototypes, benchmarks for evaluating success, and identifying knowledge gaps that require additional research. Students generate a milestone report on their findings and meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 851 Experimenting with Prototypes

3 credit hours

In this course, students explore their design concepts that address the NPO identified in the previous course through a series of project prototypes. They also produce an academic essay to address remaining gaps in their knowledge. Based on what they discover, students identify one concept as their Most Viable Prototype (MVP) to pursue for their Doctoral Project. Students generate a milestone report outlining their findings. Students meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 895 Special Study

1-3 credit hour

An individualized course of research, involving in-depth study of a particular question, problem, or issue. The student must make application for the study prior to registration for the semester in which the study will be carried out. The application must be approved by the faculty member overseeing the study and the department chair.

Back to top

DMIN 905 Dissertation Continuation

1 credit hour

To maintain enrollment until dissertation is complete. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 950 Designing the Doctoral Project

4 credit hours

In this course, students articulate the scope, parameters, development plan, and benchmarks for evaluating success of their Doctoral Project. They develop their project and gather early feedback from stakeholders to ensure they are on target. At the end of the semester, they produce a progress report. Students meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass/No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 951 Assessment of the Doctoral Project

4 credit hours

A final course in which students complete their Doctoral Project in accordance with the scope agreed upon with their Project Faculty, and develop a post-graduation launch plan. Students will compile in a Project Portfolio their Doctoral Project and Project Launch Plan together with a formal introduction, previous milestones as appendices, and bibliography. They submit the Project Portfolio for examination by the Evaluation Committee. Once approved, students make final corrections and archive the Project Portfolio in the University Digital Commons. They conclude their journey with a Project Presentation. Students meet with their Project Faculty and Peer Group monthly. Pass / No Pass.

Back to top

DMIN 955 Doctoral Project Continuation

1 credit hour

To maintain enrollment until the Doctoral Project is complete. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: DMIN 951.

Back to top

DMIN 995 Special Study

1-3 credit hour

An individualized course of research, involving in-depth study of a particular question, problem, or issue. The student must make application for the study prior to registration for the semester in which the study will be carried out. The application must be approved by the faculty member overseeing the study and the department chair.

Back to top