New and revised Terry School degrees will directly impact ‘health and mission effectiveness’ of churches, Wilder says

The addition of four new degree programs and revisions to three existing programs in the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries will elevate education and outreach, focusing on a “competency-shaped curriculum,” says Dean Michael S. Wilder. The programs were approved by The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees at their spring meeting, April 7.

Following the recommendation of the Academic Administration Committee, trustees voted to approve new degree programs in the Terry School—the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), all of which are structured upon similar programs in the seminary’s other schools but feature a unique focus on educational ministries.

The fourth new degree is the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), a 60-hour program unique to the Terry School that features three specialized concentrations: higher education administration, organizational leadership, and teaching and educational ministry.

Wilder says the Ed.D. “is the perfect blend of scholarship and practice producing women and men who will be influential writers, thought leaders, and problem-solvers.”

Trustees also approved revisions to the Master of Arts in Christian Education, Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling, and Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.). The two master’s degrees now comprise a heightened focus on disciple-making and ministry leadership, while the new D.Ed.Min. comprises an additional concentration seminar and expanded project writing seminars.

Wilder says these new and revised programs assure that the Terry School will provide students with “competency-shaped curriculum and a church-partnered approach.” He adds that the Terry School “is committed to equipping Great Commission ministers who teach, lead, disciple, and biblically counsel with excellence. … We are confident that the revised and newly added degree programs will directly impact the health and mission effectiveness of the local churches we serve.”

Chris Shirley, associate dean of the Terry School, says the school is now “uniquely positioned to offer a higher level of quality training in a variety of ministry contexts. … I contend that there is no other seminary or ministry-training institution where men and women can be better prepared for their ministry calling than at Southwestern Seminary, and particularly through the Terry School of Educational Ministries.”