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Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

The Ministry Fellowship Program at Dallas Baptist University delivers comprehensive, accredited, and fully transferrable graduate classes to participants in church residency programs through courses in the School of Ministry. Residents who complete the required courses will earn an Advanced Certificate from DBU in their respective field of ministry and may directly transfer courses into a master’s degree.

Benefits of the Ministry Fellowship Program

Graduate classes are taught by DBU professors, allowing students to receive the same exceptional, Christ-centered education as a student attending DBU full-time. Benefits of the Ministry Fellowship Program include:

  • Price: This strategic low-cost partnership with the local church allows the student to earn an Advanced Certificate in Ministry at no out-of-pocket cost to the student;
  • Headstart on a Master’s Degree: Following the completion of an Advanced Certificate in the Ministry Fellowship Program, students can move directly into a Master’s Degree at DBU;
  • Transferrable Graduate Credits: The credit that Ministry Fellowship students earn is not subject to DBU alone but is transferrable to other higher education institutions. Courses are considered graduate-level courses and can be applied towards a master’s degree.

 

Students walk out of Chapel

 

Discover How To Enhance Your Residency

 

EXPLORE

Learn more about the Advanced Certificate Programs available to Ministry Fellowship Students

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CONNECT

Connect with Dr. Shelly Melia at shelly@dbu.edu to discuss how your church can participate

PARTNER

Take the next step by entering into an official partnership with DBU. Email Dr. Shelly Melia at shelly@dbu.edu

TRANSFORM

Benefit from the transformation that occurs in your residents when they experience this blend of theory and practice

TRANSFER

After completing an Advanced Certificate, residents will have the option to transfer their credits into a master’s degree

Ministry Fellowship Program Advanced Certificates

*All Advanced Certificates are available online





If your church would like to partner with DBU through the Ministry Fellowship Program residency agreement,

 Contact Dr. Shelly Melia

Church Partnerships

Rush Creek

Rush Creek Church

 


Duncanville First Baptist Church

Duncanville's First Baptist Church

Northwood Church
 

Contact the Program Director

program administrator picture

Dr. Shelly Melia
Associate Dean
Email: shelly@dbu.edu
Phone: 214.333.5943
Pilgrim Suite 301

Frequently Asked Questions

All Advanced Certificates can be completed fully online. There are also in-person classes that will be available for students who wish to be on campus.
The courses in the Advanced Certificate are graduate classes and require a student to have a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an Institutional Accrediting Agency approved by the US Department of Education.
All courses are graduate-level courses that are transferrable to a master’s degree at DBU or to other institutions that accept transfer credits from other institutions.
Due to the unique nature of this partnership, there are no student fees that are passed on to students. Each course will have required textbooks that will need to be purchased by the student.
The courses that you complete with a grade of a “B” or higher will transfer to the master’s degree. Master’s degrees in ministry are 36 hours*. Advanced Certificates are either 12 or 15 hours. For students with a 12-hour advanced certificate, they will need an additional 24 hours (or 8 classes). For students with a 15-hour advanced certificate, they will need an additional 21 hours (or 7 classes). Graduates from the Ministry Fellowship will be eligible to apply for several scholarships that will help reduce the cost of the remaining hours.
Yes, students can ask their academic advisor for a withdrawal form. Once the student fills out the form and submits it to the appropriate DBU department, they will be withdrawn from the class.
*To find more information about all of DBU’s ministry programs, visit the Graduate School of Ministry page.