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2025-2026 Academic Catalog

DMIN Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

DMIN 500 Old Testament Introduction

3 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.

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DMIN 501 New Testament Introduction

3 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.

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DMIN 502 Biblical Theology

3 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.

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DMIN 503 Hermeneutics and Exegesis

3 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.

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DMIN 504 Early Church to the Reformation

3 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.

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DMIN 505 Reformation to Present

3 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.

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DMIN 506 North American Church History

3 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.

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DMIN 507 Ministry Leadership

3 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.

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DMIN 508 Administration in Ministry

3 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.

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DMIN 509 Mission, Church, and Society

3 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.

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DMIN 595 Special Study- Leveling

1-3 hours

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.

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DMIN 701 Customized Course I

3 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.

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DMIN 702 Introduction to Research and Resources

1 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.

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DMIN 703 Content Course I

4 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.

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DMIN 704 Content Course II

4 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.

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DMIN 706 Introduction to Contemporary African Christianity

4 hours

In this course, students are introduced to a historical overview of essential religious African traditions and their influences on African Christianity. It includes a historical examination of the origins of the faith of Jesus in Africa and the meaning of African artifacts in Christian religious life. Additional course fee may be required.

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DMIN 707 Critical Thinking and Research Methods

4 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.

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

4 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.

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DMIN 709 Introduction to Biblical, Ecclesial, and Cultural Semiotics

2 hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. The purpose of the course is to provide learning experiences in which students encounter, critique, and hone each other’s thinking about the power of signs, symbols, and metaphors in scripture, church and culture. Additional course fee may apply for face to face component.

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DMIN 711 Customized Course II

3 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.

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DMIN 712 Developing a Topic for Research

1 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.

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DMIN 716 African Profiles of Ethical Leadership

4 hours

This course will assess leadership profiles of select historical and contemporary African and African American leaders. It will highlight their philosophy of leadership, their influence and accountability, and their leadership impact on their followers. Additional course fee may be required.

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DMIN 717 Global Contexts and Leadership

4 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.

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DMIN 718 Historical and Biblical Perspectives of Leadership and Formation

4 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.

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DMIN 719 Semiotics as a Change Agent in Preaching, Ministry, and Mission (Church and Culture)

2 hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. The purpose of this course is to cultivate recognition and innovation of signs, to re-sign and re-frame Jesus’ presence in the church and world, and to activate metaphor as change agent in preaching, ministry, and mission within one’s ministry context and within current culture. Learning to speak the vernacular (narrative + metaphor + soundtrack) will be charted.

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DMIN 726 Customized Course II

3 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.

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DMIN 729 Re-Cognizing and Re-Signing Jesus in 21st Century Culture

4 hours

A course exploring and exegeting one’s own personal faith journey. Students are challenged by the reading and writing assignments to reflect on what it means to be a unique follower of Jesus in our current culture, and to configure the relationship between the particular and the universal. The course focuses on deepening faith and learning to recognize Jesus in every context and culture. Additional fee may be required for cross-cultural face to face experience.

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

4 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.

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DMIN 751 Exploring Theological and Contextual Foundations of the NPO

4 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.

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DMIN 760 Introduction to Research Methodologies

3 hours

This course introduces research tools and library resources; develops academic writing skills and orients students to the overall doctoral research process. Students identify an initial ministry Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO), begin developing a working bibliography relevant to their research using library resources, and write a sample paper for critique and revision by course instructor. Students occasionally meet with the course instructor in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 761 Defining the NPO

3 hours

This course serves as the primary opportunity for students to articulate, develop, and refine their project Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO). Following the approval of a semester research plan, students will engage in bibliographic and field research in order to present and analyze the foundational nature of the NPO in their context. This will constitute section one of the Project Proposal: Defining the NPO. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 795 Special Study

1-3 hours

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.

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DMIN 801 Customized Course III

3 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.

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DMIN 802 Designing a Research Model

1 hour

The process of developing a design proposal for the Dissertation.

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DMIN 803 Content Course III

4 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.

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DMIN 804 Content Course IV

4 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.

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DMIN 805 Dissertation Continuation

1 hour

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

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DMIN 806 The Holy Spirit and Cultural Diversity

4 hours

In this course, students will examine spirit-filled traditions that bridged the ethnic/racial divide. It will challenge students to rethink the impact of religion on racial problems in Africa and America - from Apartheid to Jim Crow. This course seeks to reveal the role the Holy Spirit movements have played in overcoming these historic challenges. Additional course fee may be required.

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DMIN 807 Global Leadership Habits, Practices and Dynamics

4 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.

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DMIN 808 Processes & Principles of Systemic Transformation

4 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.

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DMIN 809 Global Church and Local Church

2 hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. An interactive curriculum in which students explore how what they’ve learned in their cross-cultural experience impacts the practice of ministry and mission. Students will be challenged to consider how they might modify their semester learning plan (SLP) in order to incorporate these new global insights within their local ministry context.

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DMIN 811 Customized Course IV

3 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.

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DMIN 812 Writing the Dissertation

1 hour

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

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DMIN 816 The Art of Communication: TD Jakes' Method

4 hours

In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of effective cross-cultural preaching for today’s theological communicators. Students will analyze the TD Jakes method of preaching, which includes, but is not limited to, analysis of the biblical text, approaches for making the scripture relevant, and strategies for reaching global audiences. Additional course fee may be required.

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DMIN 817 Contextualising Global Leadership Challenges for Local Contexts

4 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.

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DMIN 818 Cultural, Artistic, and Global Engagement

4 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.

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DMIN 819 Cultivating Imagination and Innovation in Ministry and Mission

2 hours

An interactive course that engages students in synchronous and asynchronous online interaction. This course explores the nature of creativity and what it means to continue God’s creativity as creatures made “in the divine image.” Learning is designed to help students cultivate, initiative and innovate creativity and change within their current ministry context. This course will serve to guide and nurture thinking in the final formulation of the dissertation.

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DMIN 829 Semiotic Shifts: Perspectives on Changing Trends in Church and Culture

4 hours

A final course on the 21st and 22nd century church and the impact of cultural trends, the need for community, and the changing practice of ministry. The difference between trend-tracking and truth-tacking will be defined. Students will evaluate their own faith within their ministry context and their elevated role as semioticians in a world of shifting signs and stories. Students will evaluate their own ability to (re)sign Jesus as Truth within a world of trends. Additional course fee may apply for face to face component.

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DMIN 850 Discovering Stakeholder Perspectives Concerning the NPO

3 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.

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DMIN 851 Experimenting with Prototypes

3 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.

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DMIN 860 Theological Foundations of the NPO

3 hours

This course enables students to research, explore, and synthesize the biblical and theological foundations relevant to their Project Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO) topic. Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Based on the student’s developing working bibliography, the main essay for this course will enable students to explore the NPO biblical and theological perspective. By the end of this course, students will also succinctly describe their NPO history and context and identify the artifact they will produce for their Doctoral Project. These elements will constitute section two of the Project Proposal. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 861 Designing the Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora Doctoral Project

3 hours

In this course, students will identify and consult with a Project Design Consultant (PDC) of their own choosing to assist with developing an appropriate design, including its scope and standards, for the Doctoral Project that addresses their ministry Need, Problem, Opportunity (NPO). Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Next, students will also create a rough prototype of the proposed Doctoral Project to gain input from stakeholders in their ministry or vocational context. This work is documented in section three of the Proposal. The Proposal also identifies Doctoral Project parameters (scope and standards), audience, outcomes, and benchmarks for assessing effectiveness. Students prepare a draft final Proposal for Faculty Advisor approval and make a formal Presentation to the cohort and advisors. Students must obtain formal approval from their Faculty Advisor before beginning work on their formal Doctoral Project. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 895 Special Study

1-3 hours

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.

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DMIN 900 Dissertation

4 hours

Completion of the dissertation. Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 905 Dissertation Continuation

1 hour

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

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DMIN 950 Designing the Doctoral Project

4 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.

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DMIN 951 Assessment of the Doctoral Project

4 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.

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DMIN 955 Doctoral Project Continuation

1 hour

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

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DMIN 960 Developing the Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora Doctoral Project

4 hours

In this course, based on their approved Doctoral Project Proposal, students will develop their Doctoral Project according to the design standards for the chosen medium. By the end of this course, students will make substantial progress in creating the Project, articulate a plan for continued development of the Project after graduation, and craft an introduction to the Doctoral Project. Students demonstrate progress by submitting a Project Progress Report. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.

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DMIN 961 Evaluating the Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora Doctoral Project

4 hours

A final research course in which students submit their Doctoral Project and Launch Plan for oral examination by their Doctoral Committee. Once approved and remaining edits accomplished, students submit the completed Doctoral Project to be reviewed by the Doctoral Editor and archived in the University Digital Commons. Pass / No Pass.

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DMIN 965 Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora Doctoral Project Continuation

1 hour

To maintain enrollment until the doctoral project is complete. Pass / No Pass.

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DMIN 995 Special Study

1-3 hours

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.

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