The DMin degree is a three-year program designed for those in full-time ministry. While providing a world-class education at an affordable price, our programs offer tremendous flexibility, allowing students to receive their degree without having to leave their current place of ministry. The first two years consist of two one-week seminars per year and 2 ½ day Project Methodology seminar that precedes the third seminar (a total of 22 ½ days on campus during the program). These seminars are offered in January and June. Prior to each seminar, students will complete pre-seminar work that typically consists of approximately 2500 pages of reading and several writing assignments. Seminars will require some assignments during the week of the seminar. Following each seminar, students will integrate their classroom knowledge in their ministry context through an Applied Ministry Experience component. After completing the four seminars and Applied Ministry Experiences, students will then enter the main writing stage of the degree. The writing project is a 75-100 page research project that applies specifically to the student’s interest and ministry context. The culmination of the degree is an oral examination over the written project. Students are required to come to the campus for this examination.

The goal of the Doctor of Ministry program at Southern Seminary is to sharpen leaders, to strengthen churches, and to impact our world with the message of Jesus Christ. To these ends, we have created a doctoral studies program specifically tailored to help ministry professionals achieve ministry excellence within their personal lives and within the ministries they serve.

We sharpen leaders first by challenging them rigorously to understand the theory, logic and reason of ministry. The intellectual training we provide students is of the highest caliber available. Ministerial education, however, goes far beyond the academic classroom. After asking the “why” of theory, we require our students to answer the “how” questions of practice. The knowledge and insight gained though our coursework is most beneficial when students work to test and refine their learning within their individual ministry contexts. As our professors invest in the lives of our doctoral students and as students sharpen one another within their class cohorts, we place high expectations on all students to use their findings to strengthen their churches and ministries.

The Doctor of Ministry program faculty and staff view our work as a ministry to ministers. We understand the numerous demands you face as you now seek to further your education and at the same time remain committed to full-time ministry. We know that should you choose to do this degree with us at Southern, you will face a difficult task. While making the decision to do doctoral studies is undoubtedly costly in many regards, the costs are minimal compared to the lasting benefits of the degree’s experience. It is indeed a short-term sacrifice for a long-term gain.

Concentrations:

• Evangelism and Church Growth
• Expository Preaching
• Missions Leadership
• Black Church Leadership
• Biblical Counseling
• Korean Church Leadership
• Music Ministry (D.M.M.)
• Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.)
• Missiology (D.Miss.)
• Applied Theology
• Biblical Spirituality