學制學位

I. Purpose

The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to provide ministers continuing advanced theological studies, especially on practical theology, in order to improve their spiritual life, theological knowledge, leadership, and skills required for various ministries, so that they can attain better results in serving Chinese churches and communities.

II. Goal

This program aims to cultivate students to have the following abilities and qualities:

1. To renew spiritual life and character, and have a closer relationship with God;
2. To build up a productive team and exert ministry leadership and spiritual impact;
3. To renew the required theological equipment and improve the skills required for serving;
4. To be able to establish an effective church or institutional pastoring/serving structure in a multicultural context, and participate effectively in the development of God’s kingdom;
5. To promote communication and interaction among students, and improve the ability to deal with issues intelligently.

III. Admission Requirements

1. Obtained a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from an accredited institution or with equivalent academic qualification, which generally refers to the accumulation of 90 master’s credits in Christian disciplines, with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 (B+ or 86.5%) or above.
2. Have served full-time for more than three years with good performance after obtaining the MDiv degree. The applicant who has served full-time for two years or more before starting the MDiv program is required to serve full-time for one more year after obtaining the MDiv degree.
3. Two letters of recommendation, mailed directly to GETS by the recommenders (who can be the pastor of the church, the teacher of the institution the applicant attended, or a non-subordinate coworker), indicate that the applicant has good performance on spirituality, academic learning, ministry, and life.
4. English Proficiency: A proof with a TOEFL iBT score of at least 540/71 is required. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or above from an English institution can be exempted from this requirement.
5. Due to the fact that the teaching of GETS is in Chinese and the need to serve Chinese communities in the future, the applicants whose native language is not Chinese must reach the Chinese proficiency level (the advanced mid level or above of American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
6. GETS does not accept any Ability-to-Benefit Test (ATB Test) scores nor does it offer ATB Test.
7. The maximum credits transferred from other seminaries recognized by GETS are 6 credits (two courses).

IV. Application Procedures of Admission

1. Fill out the “Application Form” via Populi and upload:

• • Personal testimony of calling and full-time ministry
  • Service philosophy and testimony, including spiritual growth, service learning, reflection on service success and failure, self-learning of personal strengths and weaknesses, or reasons for changing service positions.
  • A Proposal for DMin program: briefly describe the topic of the dissertation you are interested in researching and the value of the research.
  • The application fee US$100 (non-refundable) and one 2” photo taken within 3 months (can be digital).
  • Diplomas and transcripts of college or above and the originals of seminary diplomas and transcripts (scan or photo).

2. Interview: either in person or online face-to-face interview.

V. Duration, Location, and Modality

The general program duration (including the completion of the dissertation) is 5 years and the maximum is 7 years. Students who have completed 5 years of study can apply for an extension for graduation twice, once per year, with a maximum duration for graduation of 7 years, and must pay 3 credits of tuition for each extension. During the process of study, students must concentrate on studying for at least 4 months a year so that they can complete all courses and the dissertation in 5 years and graduate successfully. Generally, it takes one and a half years to complete the dissertation (calculated on the basis of 8 hours a day concentrating on writing).

For the assurance of the quality and flexibility of teaching, students can choose courses offered through various teaching modalities, according to their own schedule, needs, and workload of ministry, as follows:

1. Online course: Self-study online by watching recorded videos and reading teaching materials throughout the semester (15 weeks) along with interacting and communicating with online instructors and other students. Students cannot take more than two online courses.
2. Onsite/online face-to-face/real-time course: This can range from two weeks to a full semester. Local students attend classes on campus, while non-local students attend classes online.
3. Face-to-face/real-time intensive course at a designated location: If students are unable to attend classes onsite, they can apply for real-time online classes. Two face-to-face courses are offered each time for two weeks, that is, each course lasts one week. This kind of intensive course is usually offered during summer and winter vacations; the purpose is to facilitate students who are pastoring to use their annual leave to study.

VI. Curriculum Design (Required credits: 12; Elective credits: 18; Dissertation credits: 9)

Students must complete 39 credits for this program: 10 courses (3 credits for each course, total 30 credits) and a dissertation, including 3 credits of “Dissertation Proposal” and 6 credits of “Dissertation”, total 9 credits. The curriculum includes 4 required courses and 6 elective courses. Among the 6 electives, students are recommended to take 3 courses related to their dissertation (at least two must be taken according to regulations). If the seminary cannot offer enough common elective courses, students can apply for “Independent Study.” Please see the table below for details:

Note:

*Different courses are offered in this area, and students only need to take one course in this area to meet the requirement. For example, the seminary offers “Studies in the Four Gospels” and “Studies in Pauline Epistles” at different time, and students only need to take one of the courses to meet the requirement of New Testament Studies.

**Students can choose different concentrations. In addition to the traditional Pastoral Theology, students can choose from the following concentrations: Leadership, Missiology, Homiletics, Hermeneutics and Preaching, Pastoral Counseling, Church History, Christianity and Chinese Culture, Church Ministry, Spirituality and Spiritual Formation. Students must take at least two courses related to their concentrations.

***If necessary, for example, courses on some concentrations are insufficient or students missed the opportunities to take the courses, they can apply for “Independent Study” with a maximum of two courses.

VII. Course Requirements

1. Requirements for Each Course: pre-class reading and assignments, in-class assignments and participation in seminars, and post-class research papers.
2. Pre-class Reading and Assignments: Students must read 800-1200 pages of assigned books or articles and write a reading report, focusing specifically on church ministry or the meaning to their concentrations, which must be submitted before the first lecture.
3. In order to help students to have deeper understanding and knowledge of the course, and to integrate teaching ideas and experience, they must participate in lectures and seminars as in-class assignments.
4. A research paper must be submitted within one month after the completion of each course, and the content must include pastoral ministry.
5. The passing grade of each assignment is B- or above. For the assignment that does not reach B-, the student is allowed to redo it once and will receive B- if the redo grade is above B-, but if below B-, the original failing grade will be recorded as the final grade.
6. Each course is 3 credits with 40 teaching hours.
7. Dissertation (9 credits): Dissertation Proposal (3 credits) and Dissertation (6 credits).
8. Teaching Format: Seminar and/or Lecture. If the seminar format is adopted, the time limit of it is less than 20 hours, and the rest is lecturing time.
9. Independent Study Progress Course: Receive guidance from the advisor through all kinds of methods, including meeting with each other.

VIII. Qualifications of DMin Candidates

After completing the coursework of 30 credits, a student will undergo a holistic assessment to determine if he/she is competent to proceed with the Dissertation phase. The assessment includes the following three parts:

1. A passing grade of B- or above for each course with GPA 3.0 (B) or above.
2. Assessment on Spiritual Life, Ministry, and Leadership: The student will submit a self-evaluation report (about 10 pages with 5,000 words) on strengths and weaknesses in personal spiritual life and ministry, and how the learning in DMin helps the growth of his/her spiritual life, ministry, and leadership.
3. Pass the interview and assessment of the DMin Committee.

If the student is approved by the DMin Committee and pays the assessment fee of US$400, he/she will become a DMin Candidate. If the student is not approved, his/her DMin study will be terminated; if he/she pays the completion fee of $200, GETS will issue him/her a “Completion Certificate of DMin” and terminate his/her study at the seminary. If a DMin Candidate fails to complete the dissertation within seven years after admission, he/she will be awarded with the Completion Certificate in accordance with the above regulations.

IX. Dissertation Proposal (3 Credits)

A DMin Candidate must register for “Dissertation Proposal” within one month after passing the assessment, and the registration is valid for one year. The student must complete the proposal as soon as possible, preventing from exceeding the general 5-year program duration. For those who have not completed the registration of this course, the Academic Department will not assign dissertation advisors for them.

The dissertation proposal (including the number of words) is in accordance with the requirements of the primary advisor. The proposal must be approved by the advisor before submission, and the dissertation writing can only be officially started after it is approved by the DMin Committee.

X. DMin Dissertation (6 credits)

A DMin Candidate must register for “Dissertation” within one month after the dissertation proposal is approved and pay 6 credits of tuition. After completing the registration of this course, the seminary will assign a secondary advisor, together with the primary advisor, to guide the candidate to complete the dissertation.

Requirements for Dissertation: The DMin dissertation is directed by two advisors. The text is about 80,000 words (double-spaced, 12-point font, about 200 pages or more; the word count does not include footnotes and bibliography). As the assignments of all DMin courses, the dissertation is also written in Chinese, but for the academic community to review, an English title and abstract must be attached. The DMin dissertations focus on practicality but must reach the academic doctoral level.

After the dissertation is ratified by the two advisors, it will be submitted to the DMin Evaluation Committee for evaluation. After passing the evaluation, it will be submitted to the Format Review Team for review. Passing all the above evaluations, or completing the revisions required by the Format Review Team, the dissertation is approved.

XI. Graduation Requirements

1. Complete 39 credits (including the completion of dissertation) and a passing grade of B- or above for each course with GPA 3.0 (B) or above.
2. Submit the dissertation ratified by the two advisors and evaluated/reviewed by the DMin Evaluation Committee and the Format Review Team with the completion of the required revisions.
3. Pay off all fees and the graduation fee of US$200 (the seminary provides the specifications of doctoral regalia and the designated supplier for the students to purchase themselves or the seminary to purchase for them) and complete the leaving procedures.
4. With all of the above requirements met, the student will graduate with the award of Doctor of Ministry Degree.

I. Purpose

The Master of Arts in Christian Studies program is designed to provide systematic theological training for Christians who are interested in studying the Bible and knowing their faith for equipping them to participate in ministries of local churches, parachurch organizations, or missions. The minimum duration of MACS program is 2 years and the maximum is 7 years. Students can choose either onsite (in-person at GETS LA campus) or online (distance learning) programs with the same curricula and graduation requirements.

II. Goal

This program aims to cultivate students to have the following abilities and qualities:

1. To have a basic understanding of the content and theology of the Bible and the ability to conduct in-depth research

2. To shape into mature spiritual life and characters

3. To foster vision and leadership to serve diverse ethnic groups in local churches, parachurch organizations, or mission fields.

III. Admission Requirements

1. Obtained an undergraduate degree or a Bachelor of Theology degree with a grade point average (GPA) 2.7 (B- or 80%) or above.

2. Had been a baptized Christian for at least two years or specially recommended by the pastor of the church the applicant belongs to.

3. Submit two letters of recommendation (one from the pastor and the other from church leaders or spiritual elders) to demonstrate that the applicant has a good performance in spirituality, academic knowledge, ministry, and life.

4. Submit a completed admission application form.

5. Pass the GETS entrance tests on the Bible and basic theological knowledge. (Those who do not meet the standard must participate in a one-year Bible reading plan and submit a Bible reading record form.)

6. Pass the admission interview.

IV. Duration and Location

The maximum program duration is 7 years. Distance Learning students shall complete the whole degree through online studies with the instruction and follow-up of the online course teachers. Onsite students can take two online elective courses.

V. Suggestion of Course Selection for Graduation: Total 60 Credits

Study Plan of 2 Years

Study Plan of 2.5 years

VI. Curriculum Design (Required credits: 51; Elective credits: 9)

VII. Application Procedures of Admission

1. Fill out the “Application Form” online and upload:

• A photo taken within 6 months

• A conversion testimony and a brief report of the main reasons to go to seminary (1000-2000 words)

• The diploma of the highest degree (scan or photo)

• The official transcript of the highest degree (scan or photo)

• The application fee US$100 (non-refundable)

• Two Letters of recommendation completed online by the references directly

2. After all information is uploaded to Populi and payment is completed, an admission interview will be scheduled. Out-of-state and overseas applicants will be interviewed through Zoom.

3. The Admissions Committee will review the applications and the Academic Department will inform the applicants of the results. If the application is approved, an acceptance letter will be sent.

4. After receiving the acceptance letters, the applicants are required to respond to the offer within two weeks.

VIII. Instructions for International Students

1. The prospective international students must submit financial statements of self-support or support from churches or organizations.

2. Upon the applicants’ admission, the school will submit all required documents for issuing an I-20. Applicants must fill out the application form of I-20 online.

3. After the applicants submit the financial statements and are accepted by the school, the required documents for visa application will be sent to them by the school. Applicants must provide financial statements to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover all expenses and upon arrival in the United States, they should bring sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for the first year. The first-year expense including tuition and living expenses is at least US$22,000.

4. Please go to the USCIS website (https://www.uscis.gov/) to read the instructions for F-1 students.

IX. Transfer Students

Please refer to the regulations of Credit Transfer on “GETS Catalog”.

X. Graduation Requirements

1. Students are required to complete 60 semester credits with GPA 2.7 or above.

2. Pay off all fees and complete the leaving procedure.