Doctor of Ministry

Return to: School of Theology

Description: The Doctor of Ministry is a unique seminary degree designed for the enhancement of spiritual leadership in a specific ministry context. It is like a Ph.D. or Th.D. in that it is a terminal degree, but it is distinguished from other doctorates by its focus on applied research in the practice of ministry rather than classical research as a contribution to the academy. The HST D.Min. emphasizes Transforming Leadership. The 34-hour program consists of a core sequence of six integrated courses that are offered in a two-year cycle. During these two years, students take at least one course each semester - fall, spring, and summer. Some courses are taught as one-week intensives, and others are offered through live interactive streaming (HST LIVE). After the two-year course cycle, students may use the third year to fulfill electives and complete the final dissertation/project. One may finish the D.Min. in three years, though most take four to five years.

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

• Demonstrate the ability to apply research tools to a particular ministry problem and effectively address the problem through managing resources available in the local ministry context.
• Exhibit the ability to think theologically about contemporary ministry challenges.  
• Demonstrate effective skills in oral, written, or media performance that will increase one’s communication and ministerial effectiveness appropriate to one’s particular ministry context.

Program Design

The D.Min consists of 34 hours, divided into coursework, orientation, and dissertation/project.

• 19 hours of core curriculum which are scheduled in three courses per year (one per semester). These six seminars are organized into a repeated six-semester cycle, and most are offered as one-week intensives.
• A non-credit orientation. Students must complete the orientation before their first fall seminar. It will be offered as a one-day orientation immediately prior to the seminar.
• Research skills for ministry taught in three consecutive 1-hour online/streaming seminars during the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th semesters of enrollment (3 credit hours).
• 6 hours of electives that may be fulfilled through other HST ministry courses, D.Min. courses at other ATS accredited institutions, or other specialty programs. This could facilitate sub-specialties in numerous areas according to student needs and interests. Students work alongside HST professors to ensure program relevance and academic content and objectives of the electives.
• Final dissertation/integrative project (6 hours).

Admission

Admission Requirements:

• Master of Divinity Degree: One must have an accredited M.Div. degree (or a master’s degree plus equivalent course work) for admission.
• Ministry Experience: Candidates must have three years of appropriate ministerial experience beyond the first master’s degree. A certain percentage of exceptions are allowed.
• GPA: Applicants must show by official transcript a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). A student whose graduate GPA is between 2.70 and 3.0 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 3.0.
• M.Div. Equivalency: Those who hold an accredited master’s level theological degree other than the M.Div. may be able to qualify for admission by submitting official transcripts of all previous college and master’s work. The admissions committee will determine any leveling requirements. Completing equivalency does not guarantee admission to the D.Min., but it fulfills the educational requirement needed to apply.

Application Process:

• Complete formal online application: The full application process is found here. It includes a link to the application itself, information on transcript submission, evaluation and recommendation forms, and other questionnaires.
• Schedule interview: When all credentials have been filed, the applicant should arrange with the chair of the Admissions Committee for an interview.
• 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, U.S.A.

Transfer Credit: A maximum of six semester hours of masters-level credit from HST or another ATS-accredited institution may be applied toward course requirements for the D.Min. degree, subject to approval. 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.

Financial Information: The tuition rate when you begin is locked in for the next three years. (For exact rate see the “Financial Policies ” section of the catalog.) If you complete the program within three years, you will pay the same rate for your entire program. If you go beyond three years you will pay the tuition rate in effect at that time.