Preparation for organizational leadership roles in church, parachurch, missions, and marketplace contexts.
Degree Overview
| Total Hours | 66 credit hours |
| Degree Time Limit | 7 years from first DTS class |
| Real-time courses | 4 courses required (Fully Online degree) |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) | 10 hours per academic year |
Priorities
0-20 Credit Hours
- Refer to the degree plan for your entering catalog as an overall guide.
- Register for core courses: BE5101, ST5101, and EML5101
- Register for Spiritual Formation (SF5100 – Dallas, Houston, DC; SF5110 – Online/Extension locations).
- SF5110 Mentored Spiritual Formation requires an application process and will take some time to complete.
- For questions about Spiritual Formation, please email: sf@dts.edu
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Resource Center for various tools and links to assist with your courses.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss:
- What led you to DTS
- What elective courses might be helpful to take
- When, where, and what courses to take in Real-time in the coming semesters. (See the Real-Time Courses chart for more information.)
How do I select Leadership and Ministry & Communications electives?
Students in the 2022 catalog or later will select their Leadership and Ministry Communication electives in consultation with an EML Leadership faculty member. Students must complete the MACL Elective Selection form in their first-year of study. All MACL students are encouraged to discuss their electives with faculty and their academic advisor using the form below. However, only those in the 2022 catalog or later are required to complete this form.
To schedule a meeting with one of the following EML Leadership professors, students should contact the EML department: eml@dts.edu or 214-887-5130.
21-45 Credit Hours
Should I do the Leadership Courses + Internship or Ministry Residency + Internship?
Those opting to do leadership courses and an internship will serve at a selected site in a volunteer or part-time capacity.
The Ministry Residency is limited to students serving in full-time vocational ministry. Those in the 2022-2023 academic catalog or newer catalog who opt to do the Ministry Residency will also register for a concurrent internship at their Ministry Residency site.
Both options require an application. Ministry Residency applications are due in January for the upcoming year (ex. January 2023 for Fall 2023). Those taking leadership courses plus an internship must submit an internship application the semester before starting.
Internship Prerequisites:
- 30 hours of completed credit hours
- Courses:
- Progress toward SF5100/5110
- EML5101
Ministry Residency or Internship (2022 or Newer Catalog)
| Internship | Ministry Residency + Internship | |
| Courses | INT5150 (2 hours) + EML5331 (3 hours) & EML5332 (3 hours) + 6 hours of Leadership Electives + 3 hour Ministry Communication Elective | Fall: EML5801 (6 hours) + INT5150-1 (2 hours) Spring: EML5802 (6 hours) + INT5150-2 + 3 hour Ministry Communication Elective |
| Semesters | 2 | 2 (Fall-Spring). If graduating, Residency students will have a summer degree conferral. |
| Hours | 7-10 hours per week | 30+ hours in local church or parachurch ministry |
| On-campus | Not required | Fall: One-week in Dallas Spring: One-week in Dallas |
| Start Dates | Starts any semester (fall, spring, or summer) | Fall semester only (applications available in January) |
Ministry Residency or Internship (2021 or Older Catalog)
| Internship | Ministry Residency | |
| Courses | INT5150 (3 hours) + EML5330 (3 hours) + 6 hours of Leadership Electives + 3 hour Ministry Communication Elective* | Fall: EML5801 (6 hours) Spring: EML5802 (6 hours) + 3 hour Ministry Communication Elective* (*Not all MACL catalogs require this elective. Confirm requirements with academic advisor) |
| Semesters | 3 | 2 (Fall-Spring). If graduating, Residency students will have a summer degree conferral. |
| Hours | 7-10 hours per week | 30+ hours in local church or parachurch ministry |
| On-campus | Not required | Fall: One-week in Dallas Spring: One-week in Dallas |
| Start Dates | Starts any semester (fall, spring, or summer) | Fall semester only |
46-66 Credit Hours
What is required for Graduation?
- Confirm the Graduation Date listed in the system corresponds to your plan along with your Academic Advisor and Registrar’s Office.
- Students must apply for graduation in the semester he/she intends to graduate (summer grads apply in spring). More information and the due dates are available on the Graduation Information page. The general graduation requirements are:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Graduation Application (available in Student Portal when marked as an upcoming graduate)
- Church Letter
- Personal Reference Letter
- Review/Confirm upcoming semester plans with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
What if I’m interested in applying for various ministry positions or need help with other ministry/job plans after graduation?
Students may benefit from a meeting with Career Services to discuss their ministry resume, interview skills, and ministry opportunities. Students are encouraged to work with Career Services 9-12 months before graduation.
Further Training After Graduating
Master’s level students keep their current Logos Bible Software package. Future Logos updates or upgrades are the responsibility of each person and not done through DTS.
DTS graduates have three options for further training:
- Self-paced learning through Online Videos – All online courses and lectures are available for graduates to access through the Alumni portal. No application is required.
- Post-Graduate Certificates (PGC) – Graduates may take an additional 12-credit hours in a selected area. DTS graduates submit a simplified application through Admissions. Typically, students need to wait two-years after graduation to pursue the PGC.
- Pursue an additional DTS degree – Graduates may return to DTS to pursue a second Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree. Graduates must reapply through Admissions and previous DTS credits are reevaluated and remaining requirements are evaluated upon readmission. Doctoral degrees may require additional Master’s level work. (Current DTS Degrees)
