DOCTOR OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

DESCRIPTION AND FAQS

As a professional doctorate, the DCL is similar to advanced degrees in leadership fields (such as the EdD or DBA) but is distinct from academic doctorates (PhD, ThD), which focus primarily on research and teaching. While rooted in biblical theology and leadership theory, the DCL emphasizes the practical application of Christian leadership principles in real-world ministry and organizational settings.

The DCL is structured to enhance the leadership capacity of Christian leaders by sharpening their strategic thinking, decision-making, and organizational effectiveness. Participants complete the STS Doctorate of Christian Leadership program while remaining in their vocational roles, allowing them to integrate their studies directly into their leadership responsibilities.

Upon completion of the DCL, the student will be prepared to:

• Exemplify Christ-centered servant leadership, following the model of Jesus Christ through character, wisdom, and scholarly preparation.
• Interpret and apply Scripture accurately, utilizing historical-grammatical hermeneutics to lead with biblical conviction.
• Integrate biblical and theological principles into leadership, guiding organizations with integrity and biblical discernment.
• Develop strategic leadership skills to effectively manage, mentor, and equip individuals and teams in a variety of Christian and organizational contexts.
• Engage in critical thinking and problem-solving to address contemporary challenges facing churches, ministries, and faith-based institutions.
• Contribute to the body of Christ through scholarly research, practical application, and leadership development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the admission requirements?

The DCL program admits applicants who show evidence that they (1) are born again; (2) are of proven Christian character; (3) are endowed with appropriate spiritual gifts; and (4) adhere to the doctrinal statement found in the STS Catalog. The Doctor of Christian Leadership degree is an advanced professional doctorate that builds upon an accredited master’s degree.

In addition, the following prerequisites apply to DCL applicants.

• Hold an accredited master’s degree in a non-ministry-related area.
  –  Under certain circumstances, applicants with an unaccredited master’s degree may enter the DCL program under provisional status until completing 12 credit hours with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Demonstrate superior academic ability by having maintained a grade point average of 3.0
  or higher (3.0 on 4.0 scale) in their master’s program.
• Provide evidence of growth and competence in ministry skills and leadership through detailed personal written testimony and through professional ministry recommendations.
• Have a leadership role in an ongoing ministry (including lay ministry).
• Take designated prerequisite courses at the master’s degree level to enhance the student’s skills and knowledge for the rigors of doctoral research and/or better prepare the student for their ministry setting and vocational calling. These will be discussed with you at admission.

2. Can I transfer credits from another school into the DCL?

STS allows transfer of up to 9 semester credit hours from accredited graduate schools if the courses are comparable to Shepherds courses. The student must have earned a grade of B or better for a course to be considered for transfer. Transfer of credit is approved by the Registrar’s office upon consultation with the Doctoral Director during the matriculation process.

3. What is the program structure?

• 4 PREREQUISITES (3 credits each):
  The DCL program is designed for those who desire a doctorate in Ministry and yet do not have a ministry related master’s degree. The DCL requires students to take some of the core courses that would normally be required in a religious master’s degree. These classes include Hermeneutics and three of the Systematic Theology Courses
• 4 CORE COURSES (4 credits each):
  – Christian Leader as Learner
  – Christian Leader as Servant
  – Christian Leader as Administrator
  – Christian Leader as Communicator

The DCL program looks at the ministry leader wholistically, engaging them at the foundational levels of the ministry. Each of these core courses touches one of the main elements of an effective ministry leader, whether it be their mind (theologian), their heart (disciple), their hands (administrator), or their mouth (communicator). By strengthening each of these, the DCL better prepares the leader to engage in their specified concentration.

Our DCL program is designed around the cohort system. Students will take two cohort-based courses per year, allowing them to form important ministry relationships, even as they sharpen their skills together. These core courses are scheduled in conjunction with our Shepherds 360 Fall conference and our Pettegrew Lecture Series in the Spring. By aligning these courses with important events, we take advantage of the expertise of visiting scholars.

• 3 ELECTIVE COURSES (3 credits each)
  While receiving a broad foundation in Christian Leadership, our electives allow students to specialize their study within a particular field. These classes include counseling, leadership, and educational courses, which are offered over the course of the Spring or Fall semesters, as well as within the Winter and Summer sessions.
• 3 THESIS COURSES (3 credits each)
  A Doctoral Preparation class (required, no credit) will orient the student to doctoral work. The Dissertation Preparation class (3 credits) is offered in the final coursework semester and prepares students for the writing phase. By the completion of this class, students will have a thesis and know how to schedule their final year to complete the program. The Dissertation Project (6 credits) will encompass the Spring and Fall of the third year.

4. What are the program requirements?

Completion of 46 Credit Hours:

• 12-hour Prerequisite Courses (3 credit-hours each)
• 16-hour foundational/core (4 required DCL courses; 4 credit-hours per course)
• 9-hour elective courses (3 courses; 3 credit-hours each)
• 3-hour Dissertation Preparation course/workshop (completed in an live online format)
• 6-hour dissertation

Transfer of Credit

Transfer of credit for the DCL may not exceed 9 credit hours. Master or Doctoral-level credit completed at another institution may be applied toward the DCL degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Requests for transfer of credit should be directed to the DCL director Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must be approved prior to taking any courses.

Successful Completion of Courses and Degree Time Limit

A minimal grade of B (3.0) must be earned in every course credited toward graduation and on the dissertation. All work must be completed within five years from the time of matriculation.

5. Does STS offer an online or distance learning program?

Because Shepherds Theological Seminary believes there is no substitute for face-to-face interaction in a cohort, the four main seminars are residential. Nevertheless, concentration courses will be offered throughout the year and may be taken through Zoom.

6. Is the program individually structured and does each student proceed at their individual pace?

While the DCL at STS follows a standard model in which students, in consultation with their advisor, design and customize their degree plan around ministry needs and goals, the program normally follows a cohort model. In the cohort model, students proceed through the resident part of the program together. The cohort model has the advantage of providing a community experience with fellow learners and faculty. This collaborative learning model places emphasis on building relationships with and among fellow students and faculty and creates an effective learning community. Each cohort will normally complete the DCL degree in three years.

7. What is the typical schedule of class for the program?

*Depending on the year the student begins, he or she will take one or the other course.
The 4 prerequisite courses can be taken prior to or during the student’s first two years.

8. What is involved in the dissertation / research project? 

The DCL at STS requires either an approved dissertation or research project as outlined in the Doctor of Ministry/Christian Leadership Handbook. This is normally completed during the third year of the program. The curriculum in the DCL program is intentionally written so that all work done in each of the courses can provide progress towards the Dissertation.

At STS, two types of final projects are possible:

• A dissertation is a formal treatise or discourse that advances a proposition based on extensive scholarly research. Examples: “An Analysis of Repentance in the Gospel of John and its Relation to Preaching”; “Assessing the Merits of the Byzantine Text Position for Congregational Confidence”; “Once Saved: An Analysis of 1 John in Relation to Determining the Salvific Status of Congregants”
• A Quantitative/Qualitative Research Project that focuses on a particular aspect of ministry. Examples: “Establishing a New Members Class at Calvary Bible Church in Mesa, Texas”; “A Proposal for Ministering to Asian–American Hindus in New York City”; “A Three-Year Senior Pastoral Succession Plan for Churches in the ”

At Shepherds the goal is that DCL Research Projects/Dissertations must be related to ministry and must make a significant contribution to the ministry of others as well as the student’s life.

9.  What are the Program costs?

• Tuition is $590 per credit hour* (34 credit hours).
• In addition to tuition, the following fees apply*:
  • STS student fee – $360 per semester during the course-work phase of the DCL (normally, the four semesters of the course-work phase).
  • Resource and library fee – $315 per semester enrolled
  • A continuation fee of $630 per semester will be applied, 1) during any semester the student matriculates in the DCL degree program but does not enroll in a 6 class, or 2) for each semester that the dissertation or research project extends beyond one year after entering the dissertation / research project phase).
  • Graduation Fee $340 **

*These tuition and fees are based on the 2025-2026 academic year rates.
** Amounts may increase based upon incremental raises in tuition and fees.