This degree is designed to enhance the practice of ministry. Participants are normally people already in ordained ministry of the Church. This degree offers church leaders within ministry contexts the opportunity for deeper reflection academically and pastorally on their vocation and ministry, toward transformative praxis for culturally competent public leadership.

Learning Outcomes:‍

Integrate theological concepts and critical thinking into the practice of ministry in particular cultural contexts.
Demonstrate in-depth contextual competency that identifies, frames ,and responds to crucial ministry issues.
Lead effectively with enhanced ministerial skills in a chosen setting.
Exhibit deepened commitment for personal and spiritual maturity in their vocational calling.

A DMin student should choose a Specialization from among the following broad areas, as part of the application process. Ordinarily, the Specialization will be within the area of the student’s thesis or project. A DMin student should complete 6 credits in the Specialization, but should also focus other courses on their Specialization, in consultation with course instructors.

Specialization Areas:‍

Anglican Studies
Biblical Studies
Black Church Studies (through the Urban Theological Institute)
Church History
Liturgy
Lutheran Studies
Preaching
Theology
Town and Country Studies (through the Town and Country Church Institute
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Pastoral Care

Normally, participation in the DMin program is part-time, given the requirement of concurrent full-time, active ministry. Because of the program’s focus on growth in ministry, it is intended for students to take sufficient time for self-assessment and reflection. Consequently, a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years are limitations for completing the program. Extensions of program beyond six years are possible with annual Faculty approval.

While there is no residency requirement for this degree, courses are available on both campuses in a variety of modalities: synchronous, hybrid, intensive, residential, travel, and asynchronous (online).

‍Synchronous Learning: Learning occurs in real time with all participants present and engaged simultaneously, either in the classroom or by video conference.‍
Residential Learning: Learning occurs synchronously in person in the classroom.‍
Intensive Learning: Learning occurs by video conference, or residential format, but all class time (30 hours) is typically completed in a calendar week (occasionally intensives take two weeks). Pre-reading and post-writing are assigned to fulfill course objectives.‍
Travel Seminar: Learning occurs during atrip, which can be either within the US or international, usually lasting between one and three weeks.‍
Asynchronous Learning (Online): Learning occurs with no live class time but through pre-recorded lectures and written interactions with the teacher and other students.‍
Hybrid Learning: Learning is done with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions; the specific combination is determined by the faculty member.

Admission Requirements:‍

A Bachelor’s or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
The Master of Divinity degree or another Master’s degree in a theological discipline earned in a program that requires at least 72 semester hours or the equivalent (from a fully ATS accredited institution).
A cumulative grade point average in the Master’s level program of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (Exceptions may be made by the Graduate Admissions Committee for good cause).
A minimum of three years in the professional ministry of the Church after receiving the MDiv degree or its equivalent.

Begin application

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