The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) is an advanced professional degree. The Doctor of Ministry program is designed for ministry professionals who desire to excel in the practice of ministry. Participants in the program are afforded the opportunity for advanced education while remaining active in their local ministries. The Doctor of Ministry presupposes ministerial experience and a Master of Divinity or its equivalent. Students holding M.M., M.A.C.E., or M.A.B.S., may build on each of these degrees with additional course work toward each successively higher level masters degree until reaching the M.Div. or its equivalency. Those entering the program on the M.Div. equivalency basis may remove deficiencies while enrolled in the D.Min. program with special permission from the Administration. While the Doctor of Ministry program is general in scope and intent, participants are encouraged to select
one of the following focuses:
Department of Pastoral Studies
• Pastoral Theology Focus - Pastoral Leadership Emphasis - Expository Preaching Emphasis
• Chaplaincy Focus - Military
Department of Discipleship Studies
• Discipleship Focus - Local Church Emphasis - Christian School Emphasis
• Missions Focus

Goals
The goals for the D.Min. degree include “an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of
ministry, enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis and minsterial skills, the integration of these
dimensions into the theologically reflective practice of ministry, new knowledge about the practice of
ministry, and continued growth in spiritual maturity.”

Class format
Doctoral modular classes are offered in a five-day format of four hours either in the morning or in the
afternoon. These modules are offered in January, June, and August. Courses also may be taken through
residency in the fall and spring semesters and/or through distance education.