Program Objective

This program offers further training in missiology to experienced missionaries, mission organization leaders, tutors of mission courses in seminaries, and pastors with experience in intercultural ministries.  The goal is to help them integrate theories of missiology with mission/intercultural ministry and personal experiences, becoming more efficient servants of the Kingdom of God.  This program focuses on expanding students’ global horizons and strengthening their ministry skills, as well as helping them examine the characteristics and topics of Chinese missionaries and mission ministries.

Program Design

1. The program is delivered in cohorts, and admissions will be taken every two or three years.  Each cohort will be led and supervised by two cohort supervisors to help them complete the program within the time allowed (students will complete the program in no less than three years and no more than five).  At the end of the first year, students will be assigned a dissertation supervisor based on their research topics to assist them in beginning the work on their dissertation or research project and provide guidance and advice.
2. There are three aspects: core courses, elective courses, and a doctoral dissertation/research project.  Lessons will be delivered in the form of intensive courses.  Each 6-credit course will be 40 hours, including no more than half of the time in online and distance learning.
3. Two core courses will be delivered simultaneously each year, in a total of five days.  There are three years and 36 credits in total and will be intensive courses.  Students in the same cohort will study together for three years and finish their assignments at the same time.  Students must complete their readings and coursework before lessons and are required to complete their assignments before the deadline after lessons.  The assignment for the third year is their dissertation or research project.
4. Apart from the core courses, students are required to take 24 credits of advanced degree programs (with the approval of their supervisors) based on their dissertation or research project topics.  With the exception of Doctor of Missiology/Intercultural Studies courses, students may also opt for courses of D. Min. programs or equivalent level, such as Master of Theology courses.
5. Comprehensive Examination: To ensure graduates possess extensive knowledge of missiology and intercultural ministry, and analytical ability compatible with their academic level, they are required to pass a comprehensive exam after the second year of the program and before their oral defense.  This is an open-book exam with a time limit.  Candidates may bring reference books and their notes, but are prohibited from asking others for help and answers as well as searching online.
6. A dissertation/research project is the accumulated result of students’ study of this program. (1) A dissertation focuses on research and integration.  Its topic must have a direct relation with the cohort’s major, with creative ideas and contributions in practicality.  (2) A research project must be related to the ministries the student is involved in.
7. To graduate, students are required to complete the program within five years, pass the Comprehensive Examination and oral defense of their dissertation or research project, and with a CGPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 grade scale.

Credit Requirements

Core and

Dissertation/Research Project          36 credits

Electives                                          24 credits

Total                                                60 credits

Core Courses (36 credits)

1. Mission Strategies and Research for the Chinese Church

2. Mission Education and the Functions of Sending Agencies

3. Mission Ministry 1: Education and Training for Missional Workers

4. Mission Ministry 2: Leaders and Leadership Development for Missional Service

5. Contextualization and Mission

6. Program Integration and Research Project

Elective Courses (24 credits)

Students may choose any D.Min./D.Miss. courses

Doctor of Missiology/Intercultural Studies Candidacy Requirements

1. Complete all core courses, and no less than 36 credits

2. Pass the Comprehensive Examination*

3. Pass the initial dissertation/research project proposal

* The Comprehensive Examination includes two parts.  Each part takes three hours.  Part one is general Missiology knowledge, and part two is topics related to the dissertation or research project topic.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants must hold a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent with a CGPA of 3.3 or above on a 4.0 grade scale.
2. Must have prior training in missiology (postgraduate level missiology programs of at least 9 credits or equivalent).  Applicants without such training will be admitted as students on probation until the requirement is fulfilled.
3. Must have three years of intercultural missions experience, full-time working experience in missions or Christian organizations (including organizations deployed by the church, such as seminary tutors), or three years of serving in an intercultural environment or as a missions mobilizer pastor in a church.  Master of Ministry and Master of Christian Studies graduates must have 5 years of full-time working experience or equivalent and complete additional credit requirements (Master of Divinity or equivalent level).
4. Full-time missionaries not meeting any of the above requirements may opt to admit as students on probation and fulfil the requirements meanwhile.
5. Be able to comprehend theological books written in English and Chinese.  ABS may request applicants to take a Theological English course or an examination if deemed necessary.

For application and enquiry,

email: absadmission@abs.edu

tel: (852) 3657 4731