Doctor of Missiology Objectives
writing. If needed, an oral interview with a faculty committee may be held to evaluate a student ʼ s progress and potential for successful completion of the doctoral program. The interview will be scheduled after at least one significant piece of written work demonstrating the student ʼ s skill in research writing is completed. The result of the interview will determine the student ʼ s status within the program. Comprehensive Examinations All students must pass comprehensive exams covering the following areas: Intercultural Studies These exams are given in April and in November for on-campus students and serve as a major means of evaluating a student ʼ s suitability to continue studies toward the doctorate. Extension students can use a proctor by arrangement with the director of the Doctor of Missiology program. Field Ministry & Language Requirement All students must complete a minimum of three continuous years of practical missionary experience in a cross-cultural (or cross- subcultural) setting. It is assumed that the student will acquire fluency in a second language learned during this missionary service and that this language will be the language of field research. History & Theology of Mission Society, Technology & Missions The student ʼ s specialization Admission to Candidacy Official candidacy for the doctorate signifies an advanced stage in the student ʼ s progress and is characterized by self-directed research and preparation of a dissertation under the direction of a faculty advisor. In order to be admitted to candidacy the student must have: A. Passed the comprehensive examination B. Completed the field ministry requirement C. Received approval of the dissertation proposal by the Doctoral Committee Upon reaching candidacy a student must register for a total of 8 dissertation units prior to graduation. Units are ordinarily taken at the rate of two or more per semester during the dissertation stage and this constitutes full-time enrollment. During the dissertation phase, students are considered full time for a maximum of two years. If the doctoral candidate has not defended the dissertation by the time the 8 dissertation units are completed, the candidate must enroll continuously in ISCL 882 D.Miss. Continuous Enrollment Research. This enrollment carries no academic credit but maintains the student ʼ s continuous registration. Students who have advanced to the level of candidacy who are unable to register in person for their dissertation research or continuous enrollment courses may register in absentia by sending a written request to the Office of the Dean. A special fee of $45 applies. Dissertation The doctoral dissertation will be based upon research conducted in the field of ministry, usually over a period of six months to one year. The dissertation must demonstrate high attainment in scholarship related to professional missiology. The dissertation topic and proposal must be approved by the candidate ʼ s advisory committee prior to the beginning of the student ʼ s field research. Three weeks prior to expected graduation the candidate must submit to the Cook School of Intercultural Studies the original and two copies of his or her dissertation signed by the dissertation committee.
The Doctor of Missiology degree equips students to enhance people, partnerships, and publications that will advance the missions enterprise to a higher level of scholarship, spirituality, service, and sacrifice through the critical reflection of cross- disciplines; church history, theology, the social sciences, and missions strategies. The program promotes the development of researchers, teachers, administrators, consultants, Bible translators, church multipliers, curriculum developers, community developers, member care professionals, and business persons able to conduct cross-cultural ministries with conviction, clarity, competence, and compassion, without compromising the sacred Scriptures. Program Requirements The program requires a minimum of 35 units past the appropriate master ʼ s degree, with 27 semester hours of coursework and 8 semester hours of dissertation research. If a student has graduate coursework but no master ʼ s degree, or has a master ʼ s degree which does not contain the background necessary for the D.Miss. program, the total program will be longer than 35 units, and this will be determined with the director of the program. A faculty advisor will guide each student in planning a program of courses to serve his or her ministry needs. Each student will select a mentor from the graduate faculty to guide his or her dissertation research. Admission into the graduate program of the Cook School of Intercultural Studies does not guarantee completion of the doctoral degree. Time Limit for Degree Completion All course and academic requirements for the D.Miss. degree must be completed within 10 years, beginning on the date of the student ʼ s first registration. Petitions for extension beyond 10 years will be considered on a case by case basis for students who may need extensive field experience or field research requirements. Withdrawal & Re-admission Procedures A student who must drop out of school or is planning to return to field service must go through the formal withdrawal process. To return to active status the student should contact the program director and file a re-admission form with the admissions office. Leave of Absence Inactive students are those who have requested and been granted Leave of Absence from the program. A Leave of Absence may be granted upon petition for change of status if there is deemed sufficient reason for interrupting the program and intention to return to the program. A Leave of Absence must be renewed by petition each semester and may not exceed two consecutive semesters. A Leave of Absence longer than two semesters will require withdrawal from the program and a petition for re-admission if the student later wishes to regain active status. Each leave of absence must receive the approval of the student ʼ s program advisor and the Dean of the school. Students on leave are required to register for ISCL 893 Leave of Absence each term. Oral Interview All students will have an oral interview with a faculty committee to evaluate their progress and potential for successful completion of the doctoral program. The interview is scheduled after one semester in residence and the completion of at least one significant piece of written work demonstrating the student ʼ s skill in research
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