D.Min. Course Design

The D.Min. degree at Dallas Seminary is in ministry rather than in residence. You may find yourself in Dallas only two weeks out of an entire year! This allows you to remain in your current ministry, incorporating your studies directly and immediately.

Students complete relevant reading and assignments before and after a one [or two] week resident portion, which meets on the Dallas campus, at Philadelphia Biblical University, or in a variety of church settings. Each D.Min. course is equivalent to three semester credit hours. The one [or two] week resident portion of the course normally occurs in Dec./Jan. or July.

Summer Winter
Preresident April 15 - June October 15 - December
Resident July December or January
Postresident August - October 15 January - April 15

During preresidence, students prepare for the resident portion by reading assigned books and completing practical assignments. The resident portion is the week during which students meet together as a class with their professors. The postresident portion calls for the integration of the course content with the student’s ministry.

A Flexible Approach

The heart of the Dallas D.Min. is flexibility. At the beginning of the program, you’ll create an overall plan of study. You may focus on one of several areas (such as education, leadership, or preaching), or you can design a program with a varied approach. Your plan, which is evaluated annually, originates from your individual goals, your ministry needs, and your assessment of perceived strengths and limitations.

D.Min. Program Overview

The Doctor of Ministry program offers two tracks of study, a track in Ministry Leadership and a track in Christian Education. Students may select different emphases within each of the two tracks. While the D.Min. program generally follows a standard model in which students, in consultation with their adviser, design and customize their degree plan around individual ministry needs and goals, some emphases follow a cohort model. In the cohort model, students proceed through the courses necessary for their emphasis with a small group of ministry colleagues. This group moves through the designated part of the program together. The cohort model has the advantage of providing a community experience with fellow learners and faculty mentors.

How do D.Min. studies work?

We combine the best of adult learning and professional ministry education. D.Min. studies are built on a foundation of biblical theology and ministry theory, but focus on practical aspects of ministry.

Before and after the resident portion of each course, you’ll complete assignments related to your individual ministry. Then, at the end of the entire D.Min. program, you’ll write an applied research project which implements and evaluates the ministry in your particular context. The strategies you learn for creating and assessing ministries will be invaluable throughout your ministry career.

Professional Ministry Education

The D.Min. program builds on the M.Div. (or equivalent) or Th.M. with little or no repetition. While professors bring their expertise to the classroom, significant participation by the students is encouraged and learning is a collaborative process. Lectures may introduce a topic, but from there you’ll discuss, debate, problem solve, and strategize together in a relaxed atmosphere. D.Min. learning is intentionally relevant to ministry and life.