Doctor of Ministry

Purpose: The purpose of the D.Min. degree program is to equip one for the practice of ministry at a higher level of competence than that achieved in the foundational work done in the M.Div. degree, where the primary purpose is preparation for the beginning of professional ministry (Association of Theological Schools, Bulletin 37, 1986). The 30-semester-hour program of study involves completing six seminars (18 hours) that introduce the candidate to new resources and insights in ministry, a research course, and a dissertation/project.

This rigorous but highly practical program is designed to equip ministers for productive Christian ministry.

Harding School of Theology offers this degree for three primary reasons:

1. To serve ministers through a program tailored to their particular needs, interests and circumstances.
2. To serve the church by providing training for ministers who can be equipped to lead in a creative, effective and biblical way.
3. To enhance ministry effectiveness in such areas as homiletics, leadership and church growth by integrating theory and practice.

Therefore, this program is designed to keep the candidate actively involved in ministry in the local church while pursuing an advanced degree.

Emphasis: This program seeks to advance the knowledge and skills of the student by providing both stimulus and curriculum for increased competency in ministry. The D.Min. degree program focuses primarily on practical aspects of ministry and provides the candidate with opportunities to cultivate self-directed learning skills; integrate biblical, historical and theological disciplines into ministry; participate in peer learning; and use library and faculty resources.

Goals: The D.Min. is distinguished from a doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D.) or a doctorate in theology (Th.D.) in that it focuses specifically on excellence in practical ministry rather than academic research. It is distinguished from the master of divinity in that it demands a higher level of competence, more extensive analytical skills, and greater ability to do practical and thorough research related to ministry.

Benefits of this program of study in the classroom and church include:

• applying biblical, historical and theological perspectives to ministry;
• integrating those perspectives with sociological, psychological, homiletical, missiological, ecclesiological and/or experiential insights in order to carry out tasks of ministry more effectively;
• and creating effective strategies for implementing specific ministry goals in the church.

Intended Educational Outcomes: All D.Min. graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply research tools to a particular ministry problem and effectively resolve the problem through managing resources available in the local ministry context.
• Exhibit the ability to think theologically about contemporary ministry challenges, assess the pluralistic culture in which we live, and formulate conclusions appropriate for one’s particular ministry context.  
• Practice the ability to learn from one’s peers and respond appropriately to their critique of one’s character and ministry.  
• Exhibit ongoing practices of spiritual growth in relationship to God and to others by formulating and implementing a personal plan for spiritual formation. 
• Demonstrate the ability to lead in one’s particular ministry context by formulating and implementing a plan for personal and corporate leadership development. 
• Demonstrate community influence through practical ministry.  
• Demonstrate advanced skills in oral, written, or media performance that will increase one’s communication and ministerial effectiveness appropriate to one’s particular ministry context.

Admission

Application Procedures: The applicant is responsible for completing all admission requirements. This includes obtaining both graduate and undergraduate transcripts, an Evaluation and Recommendation Form from elders or other ministry supervisors, and a Ministry Questionnaire.

Interview: When all credentials have been filed, the applicant should arrange with the chairman of the Admissions Committee for an interview.

Prerequisites: One must have an M.Div. degree (or a master’s degree plus equivalent course work) for admission.

GPA: A student whose graduate GPA is between 2.70 and 3.00 may be considered for probationary admission for the D.Min. Probation will be removed upon completing 18 hours of course work that applies to the D.Min. degree with a GPA of 3.00.

Recommendations: Four recommendations are required, including two from graduate professors.

Experience: Candidates must have three years of appropriate ministerial experience beyond the first master’s degree.

English Proficiency: A score of at least 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) is required on the TOEFL examination of all applicants whose native language is not English. For information on this English language proficiency test, write to TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA.

Transfer Credit: Three semester hours of graduate credit from another ATS-accredited institution may be applied toward course-work requirements for the D.Min. degree, subject to approval of the D.Min. Dissertation Committee. A maximum of six hours of graduate credit in ministry at the M.Div. level may be taken.

Auditing: A D.Min. candidate or graduate can audit any course for a reduced fee. (Online courses have additional fees.)  See the fee schedule for details.

Financial Information: All D.Min. candidates pay regular tuition fees plus a supervision fee.