Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
The purpose of this degree program is to equip the student for a higher level of competence in the practice of ministry than that achieved in the foundation work normally resulting in an M.Div. degree. The Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed to serve the need of ministers for an experience of continuing education which renews the personal life of faith, further develops professional competence, and stimulates continued growth in biblical and theological foundations for ministry.
Nature of the Program
The program of studies leading to the Doctor of Ministry degree is a 56-credit (consisting of 40 credit hours in coursework and 16 credit hours for the doctoral project) program of study beyond the Master’s designed for men and women who are engaged in pastoral and related ministries. The candidates are challenged to develop their ministerial skills and to refine and articulate a biblical theology of ministry while in a setting of ministry.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program is on the basis of high competence in theology and ministry, as well as motivation to do research in a recognized area of ministry. Competence in theology may be demonstrated by having completed a minimum of a Master of Arts in Theology degree or equivalent with a balanced curriculum, including disciplines in biblical studies, ethics, and studies in ministry. Competence in ministry may be demonstrated by a documented minimum of three years of full-time ministerial service or five years part-time service. A complete transcript of previous academic work is to be submitted before an application for admission can be acted on.
Courses You'll Complete to Earn Your Degree
The student will complete the following ten courses, each of which constitute four semester credit hours. A 20-page paper is to be written on each topic. The choice is the student’s, unless the committee determines a weakness in the students’ prior academic background. Upon completion of the core topics the student will be advanced to candidacy. Each core topic is worth 4 credit hours. Course descriptions are provided to the student in a separate document as requested.
Guided Readings
Guided readings are to reflect an area of research that is directed toward the writing of the doctoral project. The student is to choose guided readings as approved by the Doctoral Committee, to read and reflect on; intellectually, spiritually, and vocationally. These readings must then be documented in the form of an annotated bibliography with synoptic abstracts of the works that have been read. This exercise is an opportunity for the student to begin his or her doctoral research. There is no minimum or maximum amount of words to be written, but the writings must be comprehensive enough to cover the topic. This primarily constitutes Chapter 2 of the doctoral project (Literature Review). The completed Guided Readings are a part of the doctoral project, which constitutes 16 credits of the D.Min. program and leads toward candidacy status.
Doctoral Proposal
The student is to then write a proposal for the Doctorate, describing the project according to the prescribed format. The completed proposal is to be approved by the Doctoral Committee of the University. The process and format for a Doctoral Proposal is described in “Write it Right” and the resource titled “Steps to Completing Your Doctoral Project/Dissertation.” These resources will be provided by the Student Services Department.
Doctoral Project
The student is then (upon approval of the proposal) to begin writing his or her Doctoral Project, according to the specific format. The Doctoral Project is the finishing work for the doctoral degree, and is what provides the right to be called “Doctor.” It is worth 16 credits towards the degree program. The guidelines for the writing of the Project are again found in the book “Research Writing Made Easy”, and with the help of your doctoral project coordinator, you will be able to complete your goal.