The ASAP DBS Degree is a Balanced Mix of Real-Life Ministry Competencies.

This degree program consists of an initial Orientation of two (2) credits, eight (8) program courses of three (3) credits each, and one final program reflection and review project of four (4) credits.  The program's total of thirty (30) credits is designed to be completed in 82 weeks or about one and a half years.  This schedule makes it possible to earn your degree more quickly, but without sacrificing the quality of learning or being pressed by unattainable completion deadlines.  The ASAP program is specifically designed for mature learners who have a God-lead passion for Biblical scholarship that can be applied in the lives of others.  We hope you will agree, and join our family of Applied Scholars.*


*Due to eBook restrictions, the Applied Scholars Program is limited to residents of the United States.  All other programs are offered internationally.

DOCTOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN APPLIED THEOLOGY
PROGRAM TIMELINE & COURSE SEQUENCE

Only 18 Months from Start to Finish!


Courses are completed in the sequence listed below.  Though not recommended, students may work ahead on courses, but may not submit course work for grading out of the prescribed sequence.  Experience has proven that working out of sequence disrupts the learning process.  Another caution is that students are strongly encouraged to abide by the two-week breaks between courses.  This is an accelerated learning process, and rest between courses is necessary for keeping a balance between study, ministry and family.  We should take seriously the admonition of our Lord to His disciples:  "And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat)" (Mark 6:31 NASV). 

  • WEEKS 1 - 3 | MyMIUD Orientation

    STUDENTS COMPLETE ORIENTATION BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR FIRST CURRICULUM COURSE.

     

    Here is where students begin the Applied Scholars journey.  The MyMIUD Orientation is a two-credit general orientation course all MIUD degree students take.  The Orientation gives the best possible start on a spiritual journey like no other. Throughout the program, students can refer back to this course as a reminder of helpful information.

  • WEEKS 5 - 10 | Course #1: Introduction to Logic and Critical Inquiry

    Course Purpose:


    This is an introductory course that deals with the general issues regarding logic and critical inquiry, with an emphasis on the theory and practice of critical thinking within the context of a Christian worldview. Students will be informed on the fundamental issues related to the practice of critical inquiry and exposed to the reasons why such inquiry is essential to the discovery of truth.


    Course Objectives:


    To introduce the student to the generic steps of logic and critical inquiry (thinking), and to assist the student in redirecting the secular notion of critical thinking toward a Christian worldview that deals correctly with the essential methodology for discovering the truth.

  • WEEKS 13-18 | Course #2: Essentials of Biblical Theology

    Course Purpose:

    This course presents the student with specific issues of Essential Bible Doctrines.  In doing so, the course will introduce and expose the student to a greatly simplified study of Christian doctrine within a coherent framework; enable the student to identify and describe key doctrinal issues; to apply that knowledge in the student's current ministry and to lead the student to analyze carefully the various theological options on key doctrinal issues; to examine those issues in light of her/his own theological position without the usual complications of the study of Systematic Theology; to relate doctrinal truths to a coherent system of thought consistent with the student's own faith tradition.


    Course Objectives:

    1. To introduce the study of the doctrine of God, and the relationship these studies have to the study of Theology in a more simplified way so that the student can identify key doctrinal issues and describe the relationship between those issues and a coherent system of truth.

    2. To lead the student to interpret the relevant doctrinal issues and to distinguish theological systems in a way that makes it easier to teach others.

    3. To enable the student to explain the truths of Bible Doctrine, and to illustrate these in light of her/his own theological commitment.

    4. To provide the student an opportunity to utilize the doctrines studied and relate them to authentic ministry opportunities.

  • WEEKS 21-26 | Course #3: The Problem of Evil

    Course Purpose:


    To introduce and explain the various areas of a Biblical understanding of the problem (reality) of evil, and to provide Biblically sound references for dealing with the problem so that the student will be better equipped to defend the coherence of Christian theism as a viable and tenable worldview against the skeptic's objection to Theism based on the fact that while there is great good in the world, there is also evil. 


    Course Objectives:


    1.  To introduce the problem of evil, so that the student is able to outline

    why it is a reality of Christian theism.

    2.  To encourage the student to paraphrase the traditional responses to the problem

    of evil and to explain the ways in which her/his beliefs are similar.

    3.  To suggest some responses to the problem of evil so that the student is able to

    defend the coherence of Christian theism's various answers to the problem of evil.

    4.  To distinguish between various concepts relating to the problem of evil so that the

    the student is able to analyze specific problems of evil and construct responses to those problems with an eye on preserving the consistency of her/his beliefs.

    5.  This is not a deep dive into the philosophical problem of evil, or the wide-ranging arguments of Theodicy (how can a good God allow evil to exist). It is more akin to a topical approach to the reality of evil from a Biblical perspective.

  • WEEKS 29-34 | Course #4: The Practice of Spiritual Gifts

    Course Purpose:  This course is designed to acquaint the student with the Biblical theme of the gifts of grace for the purpose of understanding, recognizing, and implementing those gifts within the body.  Biblical leadership demands that the will of the Father on earth be completed according to His operational plan.  The gifts of grace stand front and center in that plan for they represent the inter-relational dependence of the community of the faithful on each other and on the Father of lights.  The ekklesia cannot function without them.  


    As a result of the study plan in this course, the Biblical leader will be able to better understand his or her unique gifting, guide others concerning their gifts and direct the faith community in the full operation of the combined gifts of its members.

  • WEEKS 37-42 | Course #5: Biblical Requisites for Churches that Heal

    Course Purpose:  The purpose of this course is to explore the biblical and experiential components that go into developing and leading a local church that is healthy and offers hope and healing to the lost and hurting.  A church, just like a family, can be toxic and a hindrance to growth and development, or it can be healthy and promote the development and growth of its members.  


    Course Objectives:

    1. To look at the church objectively and biblically and determine whether it is promoting or hindering personal growth and healing.

    2. To discover the biblical and practical components found in churches that heal

    3. To help the student to think biblically, conceptually, and practically concerning the ministries and functions of the local church that promote healing and growth.

    4. To, above all, guide the church in a direction where the lost and hurting can find safety, acceptance, spiritual and mental healing, and find eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • WEEKS 45-50 | Course #6: A Biblical Response to Abortion and the Church

    Course Purpose: 


    This course will give the pastor specific tools to share the pro-life message with their members to help them take a stand in a way that will help men and women considering abortion or who have chosen abortion to feel the compassion and mercy of Christ, and be able to begin to heal.   43% of women will have at least one abortion before the age of 45.  This includes Christian women who attend church regularly.  Just because someone attends church does not mean that they will be able to stand up to the pressure that is placed upon them to abort.  75% of abortions are considered “coerced.”  Men and women can be healed by a pastor leading the way and talking about abortion from the pulpit. 


    Course Objectives:


    1. To challenge the student in their pastoral role to take a strong stand on the issue of abortion in their church.

    2. To introduce the student to the spiritual aspects of abortion including the history and consequences of someone choosing abortion.

    3. To challenge the student to be able to understand and defend their pro-life views in light of scripture.

    4. To empower the student to understand the pressures men and women face when looking at abortion and be able to intelligently present pro-life alternatives to them.

    5. To give the student information on how to better present abortion to others to encourage them to be prepared to minister to those in their churches who may be considering abortion or have already made a decision to abort.

  • WEEKS 53-58 | Course #7: Preparing Couples for a Biblically Based Marriage

    Course Purpose


    To introduce the student to a biblical approach to Marriage and Family counseling so that the student will acquire the basic knowledge of the Biblical conceptions of family roles and interpersonal relationships, and be able to trace the importance of these data and interpret them in terms of the counseling process. This is not an in-depth study.  Rather it is a practical "tools-oriented" study. 


    Course Objectives


    1. Encourage the student to differentiate marriage problems and translate biblical principles for understanding these marriage and family problems.


    2. Enable the student to illustrate the use of Biblical principles in solving marriage and family problems, and explain how they are useful.


    3. Enable the student to analyze problems, and practice marriage and family counseling in an acceptable manner.

  • WEEKS 69-74 | Course #8: Making Disciples

    Course Purpose:


    To introduce the doctoral student to the concepts and criteria for mentorship and discipleship that will enable her/him to foster lasting relationships within the local church.  The student will learn how to equip others in the work of making disciples with the objective that mentoring and discipleship becomes the normal, ongoing, year-round activity of the church.  The student will examine and analyze various Biblical methods so that he/she can explain and detect personal strengths and weaknesses.


    Course Objectives:


    1. To familiarize the student with the criteria needed for mentorship.

    2. To enable the student to become a more effective mentor in his or her local church.

    3. To acquaint the student with the Biblical components of discipleship.

    4. To help the student understand the basic elements of discipleship

    5. To encourage the student to evaluate his or her own relationships as a mentor and disciple-maker.

  • WEEKS 77-82 | Final Program Reflection and Review Project

    Final Program Reflection and Review Project FRV-700-ASAP (4 credits)


    At the end of each of the eight program courses, the student was required to write an assessment of how that course influenced their thinking and understanding of the subject.  From those eight courses, the student then creates an overall program assessment.


    When all requirements have been fulfilled, the student begins the process of requesting graduation information. 


    CONGRATULATIONS WILL BE IN ORDER!

  • ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS & TUITION

    An acceptable master's degree or its academic equivalent from an approved institution.


    Due to the applied emphasis of this program, a master's degree in a Bible-related discipline is not required.


    TUITION:  Total tuition cost is $99 x 30 credits = $2,970.  For complete details including payment options CLICK HERE.

Yes, it is about time, and how we use it.  There are more than 382 uses of the word time in the Bible.  Of course, there are many different applications, but all refer to either the past, present, or future.  As you know, we only have control over the present.


Perhaps the Apostle Paul expressed it best in Ephesians 5:16 where he encouraged his readers to be "making the most of your time, because the days are evil."  May God bless you as you invest your time, and accelerate your learning!

The ASAP Doctor of Biblical Studies in Applied Theology program will guide you step-by-step from the day you start until graduation.  In the meantime, there will be breaks between courses and contingency time to cover those unexpected experiences that are part of real-life ministry.

ABOUT COURSE STUDY GUIDES

Each course will be linked to a quick file download.  The downloaded study guide will provide complete step-by-step instructions.


The course information will provide required textbooks, submission instructions, and timeline requirements before beginning each course.

ABOUT TEXTBOOKS


All textbooks will be available in eBook format for easy and cost-effective download.  Costs vary, but the average cost is usually under $30.00.  Most textbooks can be purchased through the MIUD Online Bookstore.


You will know well in advance of each course so that you can begin and complete each course in a timely manner.

MORE ABOUT PROGRAM COURSES


There are eight applied theology courses, and a final program reflection and review project., but the program begins with a web-based Orientation Course that provides all the tools necessary for successfully completing the entire degree in 82 weeks.  That's only about a year and a half! 


The entire program is designed to work on most computers, smart devices, or smartphones.


Do you feel apprehensive about taking extensive final exams?  Not a problem.  All courses are designed with easy-to-understand written responses at the end of each course.


Along the way, to help keep up the momentum, we provide an easy Student Contact Form that makes it possible to get help quickly and conveniently.

WHY READING & WRITING ARE THE INSEPARABLE

FOUNDATIONS FOR APPLIED BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP


Experienced Bible scholars will immediately recall the words of the Apostle Paul (from the KJV) to Timothy his young protege: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). The Biblical Greek word "study" is a verb - spoudázō meaning "to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence."


Here is a point of fact. God gave us His Word in the form of a Book - the best and most important of all books ever written and read. That very fact teaches us that God desires His people to be a reading people. That's why He had His "holy men of God" write as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21).


Consider the importance of writing. The word wrote is used 56 times in the Bible, the word write 72 times, the word written 251 times, and the word writing 29 times. That's a total of 408 times!


The first time: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua'" (Exodus 17:14 NASV).


The last time: "and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:19 NASV).


Now, if it is written, then it must be read - right? 


The words read/read, and reading are used 74 times in the Bible.


The first time: "Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient" (Exodus 24:7 NASV).

 

The last time: "I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren" ( I Thessalonians 5:27 NASV).


God has planned that the method by which we open, expand, deepen and develop our understanding of His Word is primarily through reading and writing - the inseparable foundations for Biblical learning, and in fact, all true learning.


Nothing can take the place of learning the Word of God through reading and writing as one is alone with the Holy Spirit. In that environment, we are taught by God as in no other way. As it has been said, "You must be taught by God, before you teach for God."


Therefore, the foundation of study for all the courses in the MIUD Applied Scholars Program is reading and writing.  That foundation will enhance, improve and empower you as no other form of learning can possibly do as effectively.


GRADUATION IN ONLY 18 MONTHS!


We would be honored to provide you with a FREE personalized program evaluation.  No hook or hard sell. You will receive only the information you need as you are seeking God's will..  We value your privacy, and will not share your information with any other organization.

Request a FREE Program Evaluation
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