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Purpose: 

The Diploma of Ministry Studies Program (DMS) is designed for people who are interested in seminary level studies of the Bible, Theology, and Ministry and have already completed the Certificate of Ministry Studies Program (CMS). If you are a commissioned or licensed minister, or a lay leader who wants to learn more about the Bible, Theology, and Ministry, this may be the perfect program for you. All CMS graduates, and anyone who has completed college level study or other Biblical studies and want to continue their education in a program that offers seminary quality classes, should consider this program.  

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Requirements:

A high school diploma and/or college level studies are preferred but not required to participate in the DMS program. If you do not have these studies but have graduated from the CMS program, you are eligible. This is a two-year program that requires students to participate in 12 courses. Each class requires 1-2 written papers or a written paper and an exam in addition to attendance and participation in all the class sessions. Each class will also have required readings.

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Cost:

The total tuition for the two year program is $4,000. There are payment options available. Please contact us for more information.

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Class Sites: Classes are currently offered online only

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Faculty:
The DMS faculty come from various denominations and have different backgrounds in the Christian tradition. All courses in the areas of ​​the Bible, theology, and history will be taught by professors with a doctorate in the subject area, most of whom are current seminary professors teaching at the graduate level, and/or pastors and leaders of various denominations including Disciples of Christ, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Assemblies of God, and others. Because DMS is designed with the needs in the local church in mind, the faculty will generally reflect and emphasize this. Professors who are actively participating in giving introductory CMS courses, and who have indicated us that they want to teach advanced DMS courses in each area are:
 

Dra. Zaida Maldonado-Perez,  Dr. David Escobar-Arcay, Dr. David Cortez-Fuentes, Dra. Awilda Gonzalez-Babb, Dr. David Wheeler,  Dr. David Alicea,  Dra. Jane Atkins-Vazquez, Dr. Angel Santiago-Vendrel, Dra. Yara Gonzalez-Justiniano

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DMS Curriculum:

Area I:  Bible
•  New Testament: Gospels and Pauline letters
•  Old Testament: Pentateuch & Major Prophets

Area II:  Theology
•  Systematic Theology
•  Hispanic Theology

Area III:  History
•  History of the Christian Church
•  History of the Hispanic Christian Church

Area IV:  Practical Ministry
•  Hermeneutics                      
•  Advanced Christian Education
•  Ministerial Leadership
•  Church Administration
Number of courses over 2 years  =  12

Length of each course:
Wednesday: 6:30-9pm   (2.5 hours)
Thursday: 6:30-9pm   (2.5 hours))
Friday: 6:30-9pm   (2.5 hours))
Saturday: 9am-1:30pm   (4.5 hours))
Hours of classroom instruction = 12
(The classroom instruction for each course is completed in one week)

Hours of work on projects for each course = 24
(Projects and essays are to be completed within one month of the last day of the course.)

To Receive a Diploma:
Students must complete all 144 hours of classroom instruction for a total of 36 credits in order to participate in the graduation ceremony and receive their Diploma of Ministerial Studies.

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To register or for more information:

Rev. Xose G. Escamilla, CMS Program Director
xescamilla@dsf.edu

Phone: (619) 232-4737

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