The Doctor of Ministry from Ashland is a terminal degree (32 semester hours + a project) for men and women whose vocation and calling is ministry. It is specifically designed for the individual who seeks to improve practical expertise, explore the concerns of their own ministry setting, and challenge both heart and mind. The Doctor of Ministry degree is affordable and accessible to persons in full-time ministry. This program will allow you to improve practical expertise beyond your MDIV or equivalent degree. Cohorts include Transformational Leadership, Black Church Studies, Chaplaincy and Independent Design.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM

• A Master of Divinity degree from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary or university, or its equivalent.
• A grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 = A) in all graduate work.
• Current involvement in a ministry context (pastoring, teaching, missions work, administration of a Christian organization, therapeutic ministries, etc.)
• At least three years of ministry experience, usually (but not always) experienced after receiving the M.Div.*

*Students not having the M.Div. but who do hold a master’s degree in another theological degree program may qualify by taking pre-doctor of ministry courses.

ASK US ABOUT OUR CONTEXTUAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Ashland Theological Seminary’s DMIN program uses a contextual model of learning that is dependent upon the student’s participation in and reflection upon their own ministry, from integrative projects and case studies to applying theory into practice.

FINAL PROJECT

For the final project, students apply what they have learned to a ministry task in their local context (including both the nature and practice of ministry). This is the culmination of the Doctor of Ministry experience in which the ideas and applications of the program are measured and evaluated. The project will reflect careful planning, theological reflection, purposeful implementation, and appropriate assessment.

DEGREE LEARNING OUTCOMES
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 the expression of fundamental commitments related to self-care and personal growth necessary to ministry.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM DESIGN

(Year One) Doctor of Ministry Core Courses
(All students take the Core Courses, except for BCS track, in which they have specific courses)

• DMN 9911 Formational Hermeneutics
• DMN 9912 People in Relationship to God
• DMN 9913 Leading the Church in the 21st Century

(Year Two) Doctor of Ministry Cohort Courses

Students will take three courses that are designed to bring the student deeper into the research, knowledge, and exploration of the specialized subject for their project. Courses are listed in the ATS catalog for each concentration.

(Year Three) Doctor of Ministry Research Proposal Course and Writing Seminar

• DMN 9996 Research Proposal Course
• DMN 9997 Writing Seminar

(Year Three - Six) DMN Project and Writing