Launch Date : May 2008.

Deadline for Submission of Application: 31st March 2008


Brief History of The Two Partnering Institutions

TCA College exists for the purpose of providing men and women with theological education and ministerial training that will equip them to be impactful Christian leaders in promoting the mission of the church. It was founded in 1979 by Rev. Dr. Naomi Dowdy, Chancellor of the College.

The University of Wales, Bangor, U.K. was established in 1884 and has a long tradition of academic excellence that continues to this day. It was rated as a top university for help and support provided to students in the United Kingdom by The Times Higher Educational Supplement (June 17, 2005). As such, students stand to benefit both academically and practically during the course of study. The doctoral programme contains both a taught course element and a dissertation, with a particular focus on leadership and the practice of ministry.

Significance of The Programme

The DMin (Leadership) is a professional degree, focusing on the practice of ministry rather than on doing research in an academic setting. At the same time, we are committed to maintaining high academic standards and building ministry on a solid biblical and theological foundation.

This programme has its focus in leadership. It enables leaders in Christian ministry to increase their effectiveness in the church, parachurch organisation, or mission in which they minister. Graduates of this programme will have improved their skills and understandings in leadership to such an extent that they can impact their congregation or community more powerfully for God.

The emphasis is on an interdisciplinary and integrative approach in small-sized class setting. The programme will allow students to develop practical leadership skills and to form a habit of theological reflection which integrates theory with practice.

The close association with experienced, prominent Christian leaders/instructors and the interaction with peers in ministry will provide valuable contributions to the programme and develop lifelong friendships. It will culminate in a dissertation, arising from some aspect of your work, which will make a significant contribution to your own lives, your particular ministries, and to the cause of Christ in the world.

Special personalised mentoring sessions will also be made available to all DMin students for your personal leadership growth and development. The objective of this programme is pastoral and it is conducted as part of spiritual formation and for widening the sphere of your leadership influence.

Internationally-Recognised University Doctoral Degree

Now, TCA College continues to equip you as a Christian College while offering to you an internationally recognised University doctoral degree upon your completion of the programme. Students enrolled with us are able to complete the University of Wales DMin degree in Singapore, learning with world-class faculty from institutions around the world. This partnership not only saves you on travel and overseas living expenses, but it also insures postgraduate level theological learning contextualised for Asia. Being a part-time programme, it also enables continuation of your work or ministry while pursuing a professional doctoral degree. The programme is designed for ministry professionals to continue to learn and grow without having to leave their ministry context.

Programme Structure



Year 1: 4 Taught Modules + Dissertation Proposal

Year 2-4: 50,000-word Dissertation.

Upon acceptance of the Dissertation Proposal, TCA College will appoint a Local Supervisor to the student and Year 2 will begin.

The Student and Supervisor should agree on the area of research and the topic.

The Local Supervisor is the main, active supervisor overseeing the student beginning from Year Two. The University of Wales will assign another supervisor from the university. The supervisor from the University of Wales would be the student’s Primary Supervisor but would mainly relate with the Local Supervisor rather than directly with the student.

In these three years, you will work on a major research project leading to the production of a 50,000-word dissertation.

The research topic should be connected in some way with your experience and practice of ministry. The dissertation should include sustained and rigorous reflection on the topic, drawing on theological and other disciplines as appropriate. It should make a substantial contribution to the understanding and practice of ministry in the area you have chosen to research

A time frame of 3 years is given for completion of dissertation after acceptance of proposal.

Students are required to attend a one-day Annual Doctoral Seminar at TCA College where they will meet and interact with representative professors from University of Wales.

Students will be required to sit for the Viva in Bangor after the submission of dissertation.

If you do not wish to proceed to the DMin degree, successful completion of the taught modules in Year 1 will qualify you to continue with the MTh programme from the University of Wales, U.K.

Special Personalised Mentoring Module

This non-paying mentoring module will be made available to all DMin students for your personal leadership growth and development while pursuing your DMin degree.

It aims at developing your spiritual formation and widening the sphere of your leadership influence. You will understand your leadership potential better and know how to best focus your dissertation through close mentoring relationship with the programme director.



Contact Person

Dr John Kirkpatrick
Tel: 65 6304 7669
Fax: 65 6749 7197
Email: JohnKirkpatrck@tca.edu.sg