Course Introduction
CCST Vancouver believes strongly in the philosophy of lifelong learning and is committed to provide relevant educational offerings to support personal, spiritual, and professional growth of ministry leaders. The Doctor of Ministry program is a professional development opportunity designed to equip pastors and ministry leaders further in both their theological thinking and ministry skills, especially in a Chinese church context. The program is for those holding an M.Div. degree or its equivalent with a minimum 3 years of full-time ministry experience. To maximize flexibility for those working fulltime, students are only required to attend a 2-week module in residence two times during the program and the rest of the requirements can be completed online.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the D.Min. program, students shall:
- Develop advanced theological integration to help graduates effectively engage their cultural context with theological acumen and critical thinking;
- Gain in-depth contextual competency that gives graduates the ability to identify, frame, and respond to crucial ministry issues;
- Expand leadership capacity and skills that enhance their effectiveness as ministry leaders in their specific context;
- Grow in personal, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional maturity that reinvigorate and deepen their vocational calling;
- Contributes missional impact to God’s kingdom through thoughtful research and reflection on a ministry subject that goes beyond one’s immediate context.
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Program Requirements
- The Leader as Scholar: Research Methodology (3)
- The Leader as Theologian: Thinking Theologically for Ministry (3)
- The Generative Leader: Mentorship and Coaching (3)
- The Leader’s Wellbeing (3)
- Free electives (9)
- Special Topic Guided Study (3)
- Project Design and Proposal (3)
- Thesis (9): thesis writing and peer research critique
- Thesis Extension (if necessary, repeatable per term)
Admission Requirement
To be considered for admission, applicants must: Complete the application form, submit all related documents and a $110 application fee (International application fee: $220).
D.Min. applicant - have a completed M.Div. degree or equivalent
- A score of 60 for TOEFL IBT, or 6 for IELTS (Academic) is required for doctoral program applicants who have NOT studied full time for 3 years in a postsecondary institution, where English is the language of instruction and examination, located in an English speaking country. Only test scores dated no more than two years when your application is reviewed are accepted. Test results must be submitted directly from the TOEFL Office or directly from the IELTS Office. (TOEFL DI code:C781)
- D.Min. applicants who do not meet the above English requirement are required to take 2 Theological English courses (6 credits) on top of the D.Min. program.
- D.Min. applicants who meet the above English requirement but their reading score is below 6 are required to take an in-house reading assessment.
- Applicants with English proficiency test scores below 32 on the TOEFL IBT or 4.5 on the IELTS (Academic) will not be admitted.
Example: When a D.Min. applicant decides to meet the admission requirements using the IELTS (Academic) assessment, the following four scenarios may arise:
Scenario 1:
If the applicant's IELTS (Academic) overall score is below 4.5 - admission will not be granted.
Scenario 2:
If the applicant's IELTS (Academic) overall score is between 4.5 to 5.5 - the applicant must take two additional theology English classes (6 credits) beyond the program requirements upon admission.
Scenario 3:
If the applicant's IELTS (Academic) overall score is 6.0 or above but the reading score is below 6.0, the applicant is required to take an in-house reading assessment. If the applicant fails the assessment, they must take two additional theology English classes (6 credits) beyond the program requirements.
Scenario 4:
If the applicant's IELTS (Academic) overall score is 6.0 or above, and the reading score is also 6.0 or above - there is no need to take additional theology English classes.
Other Acceptable Proof for English Proficiency Exemption:
- Proof of a Grade 12 C+ in English from a Canadian high school or equivalent academic qualifications, which is English for Academic Purposes: Level IV in the “BCCAT English as an Additional Language (EAL) Committee English for Academic Purposes Courses Equivalency/Transfer Grid” (https://www.bccat.ca/pubs/Resources/EAPTransferGrid2022.pdf).
- Pass grade in Hong Kong A Level examination or level 3 in HKDSE examination.
- Submit the following documents:
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Testimony – an article about the applicant's personal faith journey with Jesus and vocational call.
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References
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3 reference letters (1 pastoral reference + 1 academic + 1 character reference)
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Applicants are required to submit a spousal support letter.
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Applicants are required to submit a Curriculum Vitae
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Applicants are required to submit a biblical or theological research paper that they have written.
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- Advanced Master of Divinity Program, MDiv applicants are required to complete a biblical knowledge assessment test.
- All applicants are required to have an admission interview after submitting all the required documents.
- Baptized (Year)
