The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced professional degree that equips graduates to be effective contextual leaders in their ministry settings.  Through the lens of Bowen Family Systems theory, you will integrate leadership principles from theological, sociological, and practical disciplines and apply your learning to the practice of ministry in your context.

As a graduate of the Doctor of Ministry program, you will be able to:

• Minister with an increased understanding of your personal calling and giftedness in ministerial leadership, demonstrating a high level of self-awareness about your spiritual growth and personal development.
• Approach ministry practices with a better understanding of the nature of the congregational context. This will require you to acquire an explicit theory of the congregation as an authentic and viable expression of Church and clarity about the congregation’s purpose and mission.
• Understand the function of ministerial leadership related to your calling and position in the congregational setting. This will require you to assess the effectiveness of your practice of leadership as a critical dimension of the practice of ministry.

Program Components:  The program consists of 36 semester hours and takes a minimum of three years to complete.  You must be engaged in full-time ministry during the program and the degree must be completed within six years.

1. Required D.Min. Seminars (total of 12 semester hours)  Peer learning is an essential component of the Doctor of Ministry program.  All students will take the four core seminars in sequence with the same peer group.  The first three core seminars will focus on both the personal development and the acquisition of the knowledge and skills necessary for effective contextual leadership.  The fourth core seminar will focus on research and writing skills and the development of a project proposal.  The core seminars, which are scheduled in August and January, will offer a combination of two weeks of on-line learning with a one-week on-campus intensive.

2. Field-Based Studies (total of 6 semester hours) You will design and implement two field-based studies where you will apply research skills to contextual and leadership interpretations in your ministry setting.

3. Guided Specialization Electives (total of 6 semester hours) You will utilize a variety of options (such as independent studies, elective course offerings, workshops and CPE credits) to focus on contextual leadership development in your chosen area of specialization and to prepare for your final D.Min. project.

4. D.Min. Project (6 semester hours) Under the direction of a project supervision team, you will develop and implement a final project in your ministry setting.  Projects must be grounded in relevant theology and theory, and employ an appropriate methodology.  You will provide an oral defense of your written project prior to graduation from the program.

Applications for the  fall 2012 co-hort are now being accepted. Limited scholarship opportunities are available for early applicants! 

New!  DMin with an Emphasis in Justice and Peacbuilding

More about the D.Min Application Process

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For additional information about the Doctor of Ministry program, please contact:

Dr. Tracy Hartman  Daniel O. Aleshire Associate Professor of Homiletics and Practical Theology Director, Doctor of Ministry Program 804.204.1214
Tiffany Kellogg Pittman Director of Admissions 804.204.1208 888.345.2877