Newly revised professional doctoral program ‘prioritizes formation of the whole student’

A revised program structure along with new and refreshed concentrations have poised the professional doctoral program at The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to be “the premiere program among evangelical institutions of higher learning,” says Coleman Ford, director of professional doctoral studies. Both the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) and Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) have been “uniquely designed” to “accommodate vocational pressures most students experience while simultaneously prioritizing the ‘residential experience,’” he says.

Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Seminary, states, “With these innovations, our professional doctoral program is now poised to provide the very best in advanced ministry training, which will result in more effective ministers for the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond. I am deeply grateful for the leadership of Dr. Ford in bringing about this renewal of our Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Educational Ministry programs.”

Provost Randy L. Stinson says, “We are excited not only to offer these new concentrations for professional doctoral study, but to see them delivered in a way that provides greater flexibility for pastors and ministry leaders while retaining academic excellence and exceptional student formation. This refreshed program represents everything Southwestern Seminary stands for.”

The newly revised professional doctoral program is built upon three key elements, Ford explains: guided online discussions, an annual on-campus experience, and contextualized ministry coaching. This format means students will be able to interact with professors and fellow students online and in-person while remaining in their respective fields of service.

Shane W. Parker, director of the D.Ed.Min. program, says, “This distinctive approach truly prioritizes the formation of the whole student, for the benefit and advancement of their local church or ministry.”

Students will begin writing their doctoral project “from day one,” Ford says, “in order to weave the needs of their ministry context into the doctoral writing experience.” The program is specifically designed to be completed within 36 months, enabling students to complete their degree in a timely fashion in order to quickly put their learning into practice in their ministries.

New and refreshed concentrations include Christian formation and discipleship, Christian leadership, Christian worship, Great Commission apologetics, executive leadership, pastoral theology (previously pastoral leadership), and family ministry (previously youth or children’s ministry). Additionally, Ford says, “our premier programs in biblical counseling, church revitalization, and text-driven preaching will include new opportunities for formation and fellowship specific to students in those concentrations.”

“Our new concentrations have been built from the ground up and will offer targeted training for ministry leaders in order to equip them to be expert practitioners in various fields of ministry,” adds Ford.

“With all these elements in place,” Ford concludes, “we are confident that graduates from our program here at Southwestern Seminary will be formed and trained to lead more effectively through unique ministry challenges and engage in Great Commission work for God’s glory and the fame of Jesus Christ.”