Doctor of Ministry

Description: The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is a 30-hour hybrid program designed to help ministers and ministry leaders to experience spiritual renewal, deepen theological foundations, and build capacities for missional leadership. A deep need in our world is for churches and ministries to join with God in redeeming a broken world. This program trains, equips, and develops leaders to lead others to join in God’s mission in the world. The program seeks to bring spiritual and missional renewal to the student, missional transformation to the student’s context, and encouragement for the student’s family.

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 program includes eight 3-hour seminars offered in a hybrid format (online engagement plus in-person instruction) over a three-year period. The fourth year is reserved for the 6-hour dissertation project. Students take classes in a cohort model, which means that they begin the program together and end together.

Each seminar contains a one-week residency in Memphis. Before the residency, students engage in readings, writing, and online interaction. After the residency, students work on ministry projects within their context.

Below is a sample schedule of the program:

Year 1:

Fall - Intro to D.Min. Research (3)

Spring - Old Testament and Christian Formation (3)

Summer - New Testament and Christian Mission (3)

Year 2:

Fall - Missional Ecclesiology (3)

Spring - Creative Practices for Preaching (3)

Summer - Missional Church Leadership (3)

Year 3:

Fall - Equipping and Empowering Leaders (3)

Spring - Research in Ministry (3)

Year 4:

Dissertation/Project (6)

Admission

Admission Requirements:

• Master of Divinity Degree: One must have an accredited M.Div. degree for admission.
• Ministry Experience: Candidates must have three years of appropriate ministerial experience beyond the first master’s degree.
• 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. Exceptions: 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, a brief exegetical research paper and a sermon sample demonstrating contextual application of a biblical text, and by undergoing an interview. The admissions committee will determine any leveling requirements if necessary.

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 doctoral credit from another ATS-accredited institution may be applied toward course requirements for the D.Min. degree, subject to approval. 

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 four years. (For exact rate see the “Financial Policies ” section of the catalog.) If you complete the program within four years, you will pay the same rate for your entire program. If you go beyond four years you will pay the tuition rate in effect at that time.