Doctor of Christian Administration (D.C.A.)
A Professional Doctoral Program Designed to Equip Strategic Leaders in Christian Organizational Management
Duration: 2 Years | Year 1 – Coursework | Year 2 – Dissertation
Program Overview
The Doctor of Christian Administration (D.C.A.) program is a rigorous and professional doctoral-level course designed for senior leaders, administrators, and executives in Christian ministries, churches, and nonprofit organizations. It focuses on equipping candidates with the theological, managerial, legal, and technological skills necessary to lead and transform Christian institutions with excellence and integrity.
Program Purpose
The purpose of this program is to produce seasoned Christian leaders with the competence to manage, direct, and sustain ministries and faith-based organizations in a dynamic and globalized world. It also serves as a pathway for research and academic contribution in the field of Christian administrative studies.
Year One – Coursework (36 Credit Hours)
The first year focuses on developing core administrative and leadership skills. Each course carries 3 credit hours.
DCA 701 – Biblical Theology of Leadership and Administration
Course Code | DCA 701 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Explores biblical leadership models from the Old and New Testaments with application to modern ministry leadership.
Course Purpose: To ground students in scriptural principles of stewardship, governance, and leadership.
DCA 702 – Strategic Organizational Leadership in the Church
Course Code | DCA 702 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Analyzes contemporary leadership theories and their relevance to faith-based institutions.
Course Purpose: To empower students to lead Christian organizations with strategic insight and effectiveness.
DCA 703 – Ecclesiastical Management and Church Operations
Course Code | DCA 703 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Examines the structures, systems, and operations that sustain church and ministry life.
Course Purpose: To provide practical tools for efficient and ethical ministry administration.
DCA 704 – Human Resource Development in Christian Ministries
Course Code | DCA 704 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Focuses on personnel recruitment, development, evaluation, and retention within faith-based settings.
Course Purpose: To train leaders in managing staff and volunteers with biblical and organizational ethics
DCA 705 – Church Finance and Kingdom Economics
Course Code | DCA 705 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Studies financial planning, budgeting, fundraising, and stewardship from a kingdom perspective.
Course Purpose: To ensure financial accountability and biblical prosperity in church management.
DCA 706 – Governance, Law, and Ethics in Christian Institutions
Course Code | DCA 706 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Covers legal compliance, constitutional frameworks, board governance, and ethical decision-making.
Course Purpose: To equip leaders to function within legal and moral boundaries of Christian administration.
DCA 707 – Digital Leadership and Ministry Innovation
Course Code | DCA 707 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Explores the integration of technology in leadership, ministry outreach, and administration.
Course Purpose: To prepare students for digital transformation in church and ministry operations.
DCA 708 – Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Ministry
Course Code | DCA 708 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Examines interpersonal, organizational, and congregational conflicts and biblical mediation strategies.
Course Purpose: To develop leaders as reconcilers and peacebuilders in the body of Christ.
DCA 709 – Global Missions and Administrative Leadership
Course Code | DCA 709 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Analyzes administrative demands of missions in cross-cultural and global settings.
Course Purpose: To build capacity for effective global missions strategy and logistics.
DCA 710 – Advanced Research and Dissertation Design
Course Code | DCA 710 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Prepares candidates to undertake scholarly research with emphasis on Christian leadership and administration.
Course Purpose: To develop critical thinking and research skills for doctoral-level writing.
DCA 711 – Transformational Leadership and Organizational Change
Course Code | DCA 710 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: Studies how to lead spiritual, structural, and strategic transformation in churches and ministries.
Course Purpose: To equip leaders to drive godly change in alignment with divine vision.
DCA 712 – Doctoral Seminar and Practicum in Christian Administration
Course Code | DCA 711 |
Credit Hours | 3 |
Course Overview: A supervised practical experience involving fieldwork, institutional audits, or leadership immersion.
Course Purpose: To bridge theory and practice through real-time leadership application.
Year Two – Dissertation (24 Credit Hours)
The second year is devoted to original research in Christian administration. The process includes proposal development, research, writing, defense, and publication.
DCA 800 – Dissertation Proposal and Colloquium
Course Code | DCA 800 |
Credit Hours | 6 |
Course Overview: Candidates identify research problems, prepare proposals, and defend their conceptual frameworks.
DCA 801 – Field Research and Data Analysis
Course Code | DCA 801 |
Credit Hours | 6 |
Course Overview: Engages students in rigorous fieldwork, data collection, and analysis in their selected ministry context.
DCA 802 – Dissertation Writing and Supervision
Course Code | DCA 802 |
Credit Hours | 6 |
Course Overview: Guided writing of the dissertation under faculty mentorship and scholarly standards.
DCA 803 – Final Defense and Scholarly Publication
Course Code | DCA 803 |
Credit Hours | 6 |
Course Overview: Students defend their work before a panel and submit for academic publication or dissemination to ministry networks.
Accreditation & Affiliations
Committed to Credibility and Quality
SBU holds recognized accreditations and works in affiliation with global theological networks, ministry associations, and academic institutions to ensure our programs meet international standards in both faith and scholarship.
University Leadership
Guided by Vision. Led by Servants.
At SBU, our leadership is comprised of spiritually mature, academically accomplished, and visionary individuals committed to shaping the next generation of Christian leaders.
Bishop
Title
Ph.D. Phillip Sudders
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Dr. Katherine Field
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PhD. Mary Simons
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Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, academic development, or lifelong purpose, Combined-Standard Bible University invites you to be part of a transformative journey.
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