The Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed to enhance the service of those actively involved in vocational or bi-vocational ministry by providing advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented ministry.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program provides leaders with training in the biblical rationale, sociological strategy, and practical implementation of ministry through group-based cohorts or individualized study.
Requirements
Generally, you need three years of ministry experience and an MDiv or equivalent degree to begin your Doctor of Ministry (DMin).
Admission Requirements
In addition to the common admissions requirements for all degree programs, the following prerequisites normally apply to DMin applicants. All applicants must:
- have at least three years of substantial vocational or bivocational Christian ministry experience since receiving their first graduate theological degree;
- give evidence of growth and competence in ministerial skills and leadership;
- be involved in an ongoing ministry (including lay ministry);
- have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability and shows promise of success in doctoral studies; and
- hold an accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theology (ThM) degree, or a Master of Arts (MA) degree plus leveling courses as necessary to provide MDiv equivalence. Prerequisite degrees and/or equivalence must include three terms of Greek and two terms of Hebrew.
Students deficient in biblical language work, in consultation with their program advisor, will be required to complete one or more of the following courses as a part of their program: ID7201 Computer Tools for Biblical Exegesis or ID7202 Computer Tools for Biblical Greek, or may complete additional leveling work in Greek and/or Hebrew at the master’s level.
Credits needed to meet MDiv equivalence requirements must cover the breadth and scope of DTS’s curriculum and commitment to Scripture as prescribed by the Doctor of Ministry office. Courses required for MDiv equivalence may be earned at DTS, its extension sites, through external studies programs, or other accredited institutions. For more information on MDiv equivalence, please contact the Doctor of Ministry office.
Applicants must supply the requisite written admission materials and must have an interview with members of the faculty. Admission applications are due by the following deadlines for each semester: March 1 (summer), July 1 (fall), and October 1 (spring). In most cases, applications completed by these dates will ensure a decision regarding admission. Applications will continue to be accepted throughout the academic year, but priority is given to those applications received by the deadlines. Further details on admission requirements and
procedures are available from the Admissions office.
Course Requirements
The DMin program requires 27 credit hours of coursework (which includes from 21 to 24 hours of prescribed and elective courses and from 3 to 6 hours of independent study courses) plus a 3-hour applied research project related to the student’s ministry. The program requires a minimum of three years of study. Three prescribed courses must be taken by all DMin students: DM7101 The Ministry Leader, DM7102 Applied Research Project Development Seminar, and DM7103 The Applied Research Project. Some cohorts include the leadership and/or research components in the selected cohort. In addition, students should expect to complete at least one independent study course, DM7901 Independent Study. Course descriptions for these and other DMin courses may be found in the Course Descriptions section of this catalog.
Most courses include an intensive one to two weeks of residence in either January, July, November, or March. Classes meet on the main campus, the Houston campus, or at the Guatemala site. During the pre-resident months, students read and interact with course material. After the course meets for the resident week, students complete assignments that are appropriate for their ministry. (DTS alumni are allowed to audit the resident portion of a course as space permits.) Registration for DMin courses must be completed by the following deadlines for each semester: July 1 for fall, November 1 for winter and spring, and April 1 for summer.
All work leading to the Doctor of Ministry degree must be completed in no less than three and no more than six years from the time of matriculation. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B- in all courses is required for graduation in the doctoral programs. Additional information on DMin policies and procedures is provided in the Student Handbook.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer of credit for the DMin may not exceed 12 credit hours. Doctoral-level credit completed at another accredited institution may be applied toward the DMin degree if those hours constitute equivalent work. Only courses taken after receiving an MA, MDiv, ThM, STM, or equivalent degree can be credited toward the DMin degree. The training and courses completed in the Basic and Advanced Chaplaincy programs of the US Army or equivalent training and courses completed as a chaplain in other branches of the US Military may be transferred for up to 12 hours of credit toward a DMin degree at DTS. Requests for transfer of credit should be directed to the director of DMin Studies. Plans to take other courses for transfer credit must also be approved by the DMin committee and the Registrar’s office prior to taking the course.
Applied Research Project Requirements
The applied research project is the student’s major research project in the degree program. It must be directly related to his or her ministry and must make a significant contribution to the field of professional ministry as well as to the student’s personal life. The project normally should deal with some aspect of communication, Bible exposition, administration, nurture, or leadership. The length is to be appropriate for the subject as judged by the student’s advisors.
If the applied research project is not completed within the first year after enrolling in DM7103, then the student will be required to register for DM7105 Applied Research Continuation each term until the project is completed.
Details on the procedures and deadlines for the topic approval and proposal and for first and final drafts of the applied research project are available in the Doctor of Ministry office and in the DMin Handbook.
Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the DMin degree must have completed 27 credit hours of coursework and the 3-hour applied research project, along with any other requirements that may have been assigned. The completion of minimum requirements does not automatically qualify a student for the degree. The candidate must evidence, to the satisfaction of the faculty, proven Christian character, ability and acceptability in Christian ministry, and adherence to the core doctrinal statement. Diplomas will not be awarded, transcripts issued, or placement assistance provided unless all financial obligations to the seminary and/or the student loan program are current.
Concentrations
Ministry leaders can concentrate their individualized plan of study in one of the concentrations listed below or customize their own concentration.
Advanced Expository Preaching
This concentration provides advanced training in the art and discipline of expository preaching as practiced in a church context. This specialty will reaffirm and refine the principles of homiletics. The courses will also address the preaching calendar and preaching the major biblical genres with accuracy and creativity. This cohort-based program will further provide advanced study in audience analysis, variety in sermon structures, and the place of preaching in Christian worship. Key aspects of this cohort specialty are peer-group interactive learning and individual mentoring in homiletics.
Church Health, Leadership, and Multiplication
This concentration provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically
oriented ministry for church pastors and church planters. Courses focus on an evaluation of
problems, programs, and/or procedures unique to church leaders through case-study methodology, with special attention given to church health, leadership development, and ministry multiplication.
Organizational Leadership
This concentration provides advanced training in personal and organizational leadership theology, theory, and practice for a wide variety of ministry settings for parachurch, senior-level C-suite leaders in business, or ministry to nontraditional students on their way to strategic leadership roles.
Marriage and Family Ministry
This emphasis explores biblical and theological foundations, cutting-edge programs, and ministry education strategies. Certification in the use of research-based tools for marriage and family educators will be included. A major focus will be to design sustainable, context-specific marriage and family ministries, particularly in the church.
Ministry Leadership in International Contexts
This concentration provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically
oriented ministry for those ministering in international regions. This cohort focuses on pastoral and parachurch leadership issues, challenges, and opportunities unique to particular global ministry contexts (e.g., Brazil, Israel).
Multicultural Ministry
This emphasis provides advanced training in the practice of biblically and theologically oriented ministry for multicultural church leaders serving the local church and parachurch organizations. This cohort program is designed to help ministry leaders through a study of the principles, leadership issues, challenges, and opportunities uniquely confronting multicultural church leaders with the goal of helping students take their ministry to the next level. Attention is given to leadership development and case-study research method.
Pastoral Senior Care and Counseling
This emphasis provides advanced equipping of pastors and chaplains for pastoral ministry to aging populations in local church and parachurch organizations. This cohort will include biblical, theological, and practical study to help the student design and implement effective and sustainable senior care ministries in the local church and senior living communities to meet the actual needs of senior adults and their families.
Rural and Small-Town Pastors
This concentration provides advanced training for pastors who are ministering in town and country areas throughout the United States and Canada. This cohort will involve biblical, theological, and practical study to bring enhanced, contextualized training and tools for pastoral effectiveness, recognizing the unique challenges that face rural and small-town pastors.
Spiritual Formation
This concentration provides advanced training in Christian spiritual formation for ministry
practitioners. Special attention will be given to the theology and history of Christian spirituality,
personal and corporate practices of spiritual formation, and the process of providing spiritual
nurture and guidance to others. This cohort-based program will further provide advanced study on topics related to the history and practice of soul care, spiritual direction, and spiritual formation in small groups.
Program Details
Program Goals
Students in the DMin program will:
- Conduct biblically and theologically integrated professional applied research within their chosen field of study
- Construct and assess biblical ministries in a variety of contemporary contexts
- Enhance identified ministerial skill such as preaching, teaching, leadership, administration, pastoral care and counseling, spiritual formation, educational programming, and communication
- Manifest personal, spiritual, and professional growth that reinvigorates and deepens vocational calling toward greater ministry effectiveness
Financial Aid
Through our donors and Foundation, we are able to offer hundreds of scholarships to students every year.
Logos Bible Software
Every student at DTS receives a copy of Logos Bible Software customized with additional commentaries and resources, and DTS courses integrate Logos into assignments and learning.