Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

The Ministry Fellowship Program at Dallas Baptist University delivers comprehensive, accredited, and fully transferable graduate classes to participants in church residency and internship programs through courses in the Graduate School of Ministry. Residents who complete the required courses will graduate from DBU with an Advanced Certificate 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 partnership with the local church allows the student to earn an Advanced Certificate in Ministry with no tuition or related fees billed 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;
Transferable Graduate Credits: The credit that Ministry Fellowship Program students earn is not subject to DBU alone but is transferable to other higher education institutions. Courses are considered graduate-level courses and can be applied towards a Master’s Degree.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the advanced certificate be completed online?

All Advanced Certificates can be completed fully online.

Is a bachelor’s degree required to be in the ministry fellowship program?

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.

Are the courses transferable?

All courses are graduate-level courses that are transferable to a Master’s Degree at DBU or to other institutions that accept transfer credits from DBU.

Are there student fees outside of the cost of the courses?

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.

If a student wants to complete a Master’s Degree after they finish the ministry fellowship program will there be scholarships available?

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 15 hours. Students completing the Advanced Certificate will need an additional 21 hours (or 7 classes). Graduates from the Ministry Fellowship Program will be eligible to apply for several scholarships that will help reduce the cost of the remaining hours.

*The Chaplaincy Program is a 72-hour program. Visit the Graduate School of Ministry website for more information about all of our programs.

Can students withdraw from a ministry fellowship course after registering?

Yes, students can be withdrawn from the class. Students will need to keep in mind that if the withdrawal is processed after the class has started they are subject to full or partial tuition. The total charge is calculated based on the total amount of class periods and the amount of sessions that have transpired at the time of the drop. It is not based on the number of sessions attended. Visit the Refunds page on the Cashier's website for more information.

Are International Students eligible to register for the Ministry Fellowship Program?

Yes. International Students are eligible to register for the Ministry Fellowship Program, pending acceptance into DBU and passing any necessary exams.