Earn Your Degree and Keep Your Current Position
Would you like to take your theological studies to the next level? When you devote your life to following Christ vocationally it can reveal areas of opportunity you would like to improve. Our Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is designed to equip you with the competencies you need for a more effective ministry. Because coursework is grounded in your daily work, your studies make a felt difference to the people you serve each day.
The Doctor of Ministry degree is a terminal professional degree designed to deepen your ministry expertise as you explore concerns and challenges in your ministry practice. Our DMin curriculum expands your dependence on Christ for ministry while introducing you to the fundamentals of self-care and personal growth. You can choose from the following tracks in our flexible 32-hour + final project program:
Transformational Leadership
To equip students with the necessary competencies to effectively engage the realities of leadership as they seek to position themselves for spiritual and personal renewal within their own leadership and particular context of ministry. Issues of character & power will also be addressed, along with how to bring about lasting change in Kingdom work.
Black Church Studies
To develop quality leaders for the Black Church in the 21st century through quality academic reflection in the primary disciplines of Bible, theology, ethics, church history, spiritual formation, and practical ministry, as well as the opportunity to engage the best African American scholars and practitioners of our time.
Chaplaincy
To equip chaplains and those who aspire to become chaplains with the knowledge and prerequisite skill to minister effectively in the pluralistic context of institutional ministry and to qualify for a professional chaplaincy job. Students may transfer up to 2 CPE’s for credit using the criteria specified in the Doctor of Ministry Program
Independent Design
Intended to give students greater flexibility in the area of elective courses enabling them to focus on a specific topic of their choice.
Biblical Interpretation & Culture
To equip students who desire to immerse themselves more fully in the texts and contexts of the Bible with a view to reinvigorating their ministries of teaching & preaching. It offers students a deeper understanding and more refined practice of the skills necessary for effective interpretation of Scripture in the modern world by bridging ancient & contemporary contexts.
What to Expect
Our Doctor of Ministry program engages you in your current ministry context. Through your studies, you will reflect and draw upon real-life examples from your ministry context to complete integrative research projects and case studies. Your coursework is designed to easily integrate with your vocation, whether you work in a local church or other professional setting. For your final project, you will apply the knowledge you have accumulated through your studies to craft a comprehensive ministry application in your context.
Doctor of Ministry Conspectus
Our minimum eligibility requirements for our Doctor of Ministry program include:
- A Master of Divinity degree, or its equivalent from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or university. Other documents may be requested. Or
- A Master’s degree with at least 55 credit hours from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or university. Other documents may be requested.
- A student holding a Master’s degree other than the Master of Divinity must have completed at least 55 credit hours in the area of theological disciplines.
- A student holding a Master’s degree in a non-theological degree program needs 55 credit hours of completion plus the seven core courses required from the MDIV program. These courses will be outlined upon acceptance to the DMin program.
- All pre-doctoral courses must be completed before beginning the doctoral program. Students are not permitted to take pre-DMIN courses and a DMIN course simultaneously.
- Equivalency will be determined by the office of admissions upon receipt of all student transcripts from masters work and, if applicable, doctoral work. Other documentation may be requested if necessary for the equivalency process. Evaluation of transcripts to determine if courses completed are equivalent to the completion of a theological degree in both credit hours and foundational courses for entrance into the DMIN program. It does not mean the student will receive an MDIV degree.
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0=A) in all graduate work; a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission. If a student has a 2.8-2.9 grade point average, and the student is accepted into the program, the student will be placed on academic probation for one semester of the DMIN program. The student must pass the first DMIN course with a B or above in order to move forward with the program. Should the student not pass the first course with a B or above, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- Current involvement in a ministry context (pastoring, teaching, missions work, administration of a Christian organization, therapeutic ministries, chaplaincy, etc.);
- Demonstration of significant ministry experience by submission of a curriculum vitae or resume.
- An interview with the Director of Advanced Degree Programs.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) degree is a second professional degree for those who seek to improve practical expertise, explore the concerns of their own ministry setting, and challenge the heart and mind. It is both affordable and workable for persons in full-time ministry. The program seeks to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the MDiv degree or its equivalent, and are engaged in ministerial leadership.
The Doctor of Ministry Program equips participants for more effective ministry through classes and ministry projects that are connecting, renewing, healing, and transforming. Our program is rooted in our Seminary’s core values of community, academic excellence, Scripture, and spiritual formation. Students have opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and one another in a learning community in which spiritual formation is foundational.
The program is tailored to meet personal needs within the context of ministry. It will not take the student away from ministry responsibility for extended periods of time. The process combines the stimulation of the classroom with a deep understanding of the demands of full-time Christian ministry.
Having completed the Doctor of Ministry degree, students will be able to:
- Integrate biblical, theological, and historical reflection within the practice of ministry
- Apply relevant practices of ministry
- Demonstrate social science research, assessment, and interpretation within the context of ministry
- Engage in expression of fundamental commitments related to self-care and personal growth necessary to ministry
You can complete your Doctor of Ministry coursework through a hybrid in-person and on-demand format.
Attend class in a hybrid format. Begin each semester with online activities, then enjoy a Face-to-Face on-campus experience for one week. When you return home, you will complete your remaining coursework independently online.
Study with scholars who have decades of real-world ministry experience. Our faculty are called to train faithful followers for effective ministry and are personally invested in you.
Step Into Your Calling
Advance your theological studies and address current ministry challenges through biblically-grounded, community-based study.
Our minimum eligibility requirements for our Doctor of Ministry program include:
- A Master of Divinity degree, or its equivalent from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or university. Other documents may be requested. Or
- A Master’s degree with at least 55 credit hours from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or university. Other documents may be requested.
- A student holding a Master’s degree other than the Master of Divinity must have completed at least 55 credit hours in the area of theological disciplines.
- A student holding a Master’s degree in a non-theological degree program needs 55 credit hours of completion plus the seven core courses required from the MDIV program. These courses will be outlined upon acceptance to the DMin program.
- All pre-doctoral courses must be completed before beginning the doctoral program. Students are not permitted to take pre-DMIN courses and a DMIN course simultaneously.
- Equivalency will be determined by the office of admissions upon receipt of all student transcripts from masters work and, if applicable, doctoral work. Other documentation may be requested if necessary for the equivalency process. Evaluation of transcripts to determine if courses completed are equivalent to the completion of a theological degree in both credit hours and foundational courses for entrance into the DMIN program. It does not mean the student will receive an MDIV degree.
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0=A) in all graduate work; a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission. If a student has a 2.8-2.9 grade point average, and the student is accepted into the program, the student will be placed on academic probation for one semester of the DMIN program. The student must pass the first DMIN course with a B or above in order to move forward with the program. Should the student not pass the first course with a B or above, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- Current involvement in a ministry context (pastoring, teaching, missions work, administration of a Christian organization, therapeutic ministries, chaplaincy, etc.);
- Demonstration of significant ministry experience by submission of a curriculum vitae or resume.
- An interview with the Director of Advanced Degree Programs.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) degree is a second professional degree for those who seek to improve practical expertise, explore the concerns of their own ministry setting, and challenge the heart and mind. It is both affordable and workable for persons in full-time ministry. The program seeks to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the MDiv degree or its equivalent, and are engaged in ministerial leadership.
The Doctor of Ministry Program equips participants for more effective ministry through classes and ministry projects that are connecting, renewing, healing, and transforming. Our program is rooted in our Seminary’s core values of community, academic excellence, Scripture, and spiritual formation. Students have opportunities to develop relationships with faculty and one another in a learning community in which spiritual formation is foundational.
The program is tailored to meet personal needs within the context of ministry. It will not take the student away from ministry responsibility for extended periods of time. The process combines the stimulation of the classroom with a deep understanding of the demands of full-time Christian ministry.
Having completed the Doctor of Ministry degree, students will be able to:
- Integrate biblical, theological, and historical reflection within the practice of ministry
- Apply relevant practices of ministry
- Demonstrate social science research, assessment, and interpretation within the context of ministry
- Engage in expression of fundamental commitments related to self-care and personal growth necessary to ministry
You can complete your Doctor of Ministry coursework through a hybrid in-person and on-demand format.
Attend class in a hybrid format. Begin each semester with online activities, then enjoy a Face-to-Face on-campus experience for one week. When you return home, you will complete your remaining coursework independently online.
Study with scholars who have decades of real-world ministry experience. Our faculty are called to train faithful followers for effective ministry and are personally invested in you.
Hear from our Graduates
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