THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION CENTER
PROGRAMS: DOCTORAL
DOCTOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEGREE (D.R.S.)
Prerequisite: Master's Degree
TEC Requirement: 40 Semester Credit Hours
Purpose: To develop in doctoral level learners an interdisciplinary specialization from a specifically biblical and Christian worldview.
First Semester
Issues in Textual Criticism (3 semester credit hours)
Philosophy of Religion (3 semester credit hours)
History of Apologetics (3 semester credit hours)
Inquiry and Research of Major World Religions (3 semester credit hours)
Biblical Theology of Christian Education: In-Depth Analysis (3 semester credit hours)
Contemporary Biblical Hermeneutics (3 semester credit hours)
Second Semester
Church Planting Leadership (3 semester credit hours)
Spiritual Formation: Current Modalities (3 semester credit hours)
The Theology of Prayer (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Early Church Fathers (3 semester hours)
Inquiry and Research of Cultic Groups Within Christianity (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Research (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Project (4 semester credit hours)
DOCTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DEGREE (D.R.E.)
Prerequisite: Master's Degree
TEC Requirements: 40 Semester Credit Hours
Purpose: To provide doctoral level training for men and women as Christian Education specialists and to prepare adult learners for ministry in the local church or parachurch agency with expertise in the areas of children's ministry, youth ministry, adult ministry, and family life ministry with ability to train others for Christian Education service in the church.
First Semester
Philosophy of Religion (3 semester credit hours)
Biblical Theology of Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
Developing Spiritual Growth in Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
Assessing and Applying Appropirate Teaching Strategies (3 semester credit hours)
A Survey and Critique of Curriculum and Instructional Materials Development (3 semester credit hours)
Trends and Issues in Christian Education (3 semester credit hours)
Second Semester
Christian School Administration (3 semester credit hours)
Higher Education Administration (3 semester credit hours)
Applied Theories in Human and Organizational Development (3 semester credit hours)
Human Resource Management: Current Modalities (3 semester credit hours)
Reflective Review of Management Case Studies (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Research (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Project (4 semester credit hours)
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DEGREE (D.Min.)
Prerequisite: Master of Divinity Degree
TEC Requirements: 40 Semester Credit Hours
Purpose: To guide doctoral level students in disciplined research and reflection on ministerial praxis, founded on sound biblical hermeneutics, for the purpose of guiding others in Christian spiritual development.
First Semester
Biblical Canonization (3 semester credit hours)
Philosophy of Religion (3 semester credit hours)
Spiritual Gifts (3 semester credit hours)
Eschatology (3 semester credit hours)
Pastoral Theology (3 semester credit hours)
Missions Theology (3 semester credit hours)
Second Semester
Biblical Hermeneutics (3 semester credit hours)
Practical Preaching (3 semester credit hours)
Biblical Counseling (3 semester credit hours)
Soteriology (3 semester credit hours)
Church Education Ministries (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Research (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Project (4 semester credit hours)
DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY DEGREE (Th.D.)
Prerequisite: Master of Divinity Degree or Master of Theology Degree
TEC Requirements: 43 Semester Credit Hours
Purpose: To develop scholars in the field of theology who demonstrate mastery of the contents and issues pertaining to the meaning and application of theological categories and systems and the ability to communicate this material to others.
First Semester
Readings in the Pentateuch (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Historical Books (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Poetical Books (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Prophectic Books (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in Systematic Theology (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in Contemporary Theology (3 semester credit hours)
Second Semester
Readings in the Gospels (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Acts (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in Epistles (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Revelation (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in Biblical Introduction (3 semester credit hours)
Readings in the Church Fathers (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Research (3 semester credit hours)
Doctoral Dissertation Project (4 semester credit hours)
DOCTOR OF SACRED LITERATURE (Dissertation Only Degree)
Prerequisite: Master's Degree
TEC Requirements: Scholarly Dissertation
Purpose: To guide doctoral level students in disciplined research and reflection on sacred literature, founded on sound biblical hermeneutics, for the creation of a sound research document adding to the chosen discipline.
There are no courses in the D.S.L. curriculum. The degree of Doctor of Sacred Literature is awarded on the basis of the successful submission of a scholarly dissertation. The dissertation should give evidence of the candidate's ability to carry out research; that the candidate has shown originality and independence; and that the candidate has made a contribution to knowledge in the particular field.
The D.S.L. candidate is given a comprehensive Guide for writing the dissertation required for the degree award. Suggested sequences and procedures are provided. Step by step instructions are included beginning with how to initiate research through the editing of the final draft of the dissertation for submission to faculty.
The Focus of the D.S.L. dissertation determines the distinctive concentration or major area of research. Thus, for example, if one does research in a New Testament area, the degree would be the Doctor of Sacred Literature in New Testament Studies. If one does research in the area of theology, the degree would be the Doctor of Sacred Literature in Theological Studies.
The D.S.L. dissertation will be composed of five chapters.
Chapter One: Introduction to the Problem
Chapter Two: Critical Literature Review
Chapter Three: Research Methodologies
Chapter Four: Research Conclusions
Chapter Five: Summary and Recommendations for Further Study
Page length is a minimum of 125 pages and a maximum of 275 pages.
The D.S.L. study process is as follows:
1. Learner is accepted via application into the D.S.L. degree program.
2. Learner enrolls for dissertation proposal and submits proposal within six months of enrollment.
3. Once the proposal is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter one of the dissertation and submits capter one within six months following enrollment.
4. Once chapter one is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter two of the dissertation and submits chapter two within six months following enrollment.
5. Once chapter two is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter three of the dissertation and submits chapter three within six months following enrollment.
6. Once chapter three is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter four of the dissertation and submits chapter four within six months following enrollment.
7. Once chapter four is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for chapter five of the dissertation and submits chapter five within six months following enrollment.
8. Once chapter five is accepted by the Doctoral Studies Committee, the learner enrolls for the oral defense. This will be a telephonic event and is set by the Doctoral Studies Committee.
10. The degree is conferred following successful completion of the oral defense and the satisfaction of all financial obligations.
The schedule mentioned above is only suggestive. The learner may submit any of the assignments in less than the suggested six months. If one needs additional time, the continuance policy would allow such.
The minimum time for degree completion is one year. The maximum time for degree completion is six years.
Contact us at tec@theologicaleducationcenter.4t.com
