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:

• Pastoral Theology Focus
  • Pastoral Leadership Emphasis
  • Expository Preaching Emphasis
  • Counseling
• Chaplaincy Focus
  • Military
• Discipleship Focus
  • Local Church Emphasis
  • Christian School Emphasis
• Missions Focus

The goals for the D.Min. degree include ―an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry, enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis and ministerial 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.‖ (Association of Theological Schools Bulletin No. 45, 2002, p. 114).

The educational objectives of the Doctor of Ministry program are the following:

• To develop the skills and abilities possessed by the minister so that he will have a higher level of excellence, balance, and competence in the ministry.
• To inculcate in him an awareness of the modern-day problems and issues in the church and in society and to equip him to meet those challenges.
• To integrate Biblical and theological principles with practical and experimental
• factors, thus to achieve a true Biblical perspective in ministry.