Doctor of Ministry explained

The Doctor of Ministry (abbreviated DMin or D.Min.) is a professional doctorate, often including a research component, that may be earned by a minister of religion while concurrently engaged in some form of ministry. It is categorized as an advanced program oriented toward ministerial and/or academic leadership.[1] As a terminal professional doctorate, the Doctor of Ministry is primarily concerned with the "acquisition of knowledge and research skills, to further advance or enhance professional practice,"[2] and is, therefore, distinct from the Doctor of Philosophy in its aim. Some institutions offer Doctor of Ministry programs which are more akin to the Doctor of Theology, requiring a research component that constitutes the majority of the program.[3]

Doctor of Ministry by country/region

United States and Canada

Under Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) standards, programs must require matriculants to have earned the degree Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or its equivalent (i.e., three years of graduate study in specific disciplines) and to have engaged in no fewer than three years of full-time ministry, though some programs require more.[4] ATS requires students to complete at least one year of coursework followed by the completion of the doctoral dissertation or research project. Normally, the degree requires between three and six years to complete. The degree's purpose is to "enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the M.Div. or its educational equivalent and who have engaged in substantial ministerial leadership." As such, Doctor of Ministry concentrations vary by institution and include applied theology, evangelism, pastoral counseling or the psychology of religion, homiletics, spiritual formation, ethics, church growth, church leadership, apologetics[5] and Bible translation.

Academic Programs in the United States That Offer A Doctor of Ministry Degree

Australia

In Australia, under the Australian College of Theology standards, the D.Min. degree is academically equivalent to a Ph.D. or Th.D. within the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF level 10) research doctoral award[24] which is to "qualify individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice."[25] As such, the admission requirements, length of study, and the overall academic requirements of the three degrees are the same: candidates must submit a final thesis of 80,000-100,000 words in order to complete the degree.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Standards of Accreditation . Degree Program Standards: Doctor of Ministry . Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada . Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools . 124–126 . 2012-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121119033829/http://www.ats.edu/Accrediting/Documents/DegreeProgramStandards.pdf#page=21 . 2012-11-19 . dead .
  2. Book: Smith, Nancy-Jane . Achieving Your Professional Doctorate: A Handbook . McGraw Hill . 2009 . 978-0-335-22721-1 . New York . 6.
  3. Web site: Birmingham Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry Handbook . April 29, 2023 . Birmingham Theological Seminary.
  4. Web site: DMin Application Information. Duke Divinity School. Duke University. 17 January 2018.
  5. Web site: DMin Concentrations. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 17 January 2018.
  6. Web site: Andrews University Doctor of Ministry Program . Andrews University Doctor of Ministry Program.
  7. Web site: Online DMin Degree . Lancaster Bible College.
  8. Web site: DMin Degree . 31 January 2024 . Duke Divinity School.
  9. Web site: DMin Degree . Fuller Theological Seminary.
  10. Web site: DMin Degree . 31 January 2024 . Asbury Theological Seminary.
  11. Web site: DMin Degree . 31 January 2024 . Boston University School of Theology.
  12. Web site: DMin Degree . 31 January 2024 . Candler School of Theology.
  13. Web site: DMin Degree . Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
  14. Web site: DMin Degree . Wesley Theological Seminary.
  15. Web site: DMin Degree . Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
  16. Web site: 2024 . Doctor of Ministry . March 1, 2024 . Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  17. Web site: DMin Degree . Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  18. Web site: DMin Degree . 31 January 2024 . Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity. 24 January 2024 .
  19. Web site: DMin Degree. 11 June 2024 . Nashotah House. 11 June 2024 .
  20. Web site: Doctor of Ministry in Theology . Northern Seminary. 27 February 2023 .
  21. https://www.westernsem.edu/programs/doctor-of-ministry-degree/
  22. Web site: Doctoral Programs . Nazarene Theological Seminary. 16 May 2024 .
  23. Web site: Doctor of Ministry . 29 July 2024 . United Theological Seminary. 29 July 2024 .
  24. Web site: Our Courses – Australian College of Theology. www.actheology.edu.au. 2019-01-14.
  25. Web site: AQF qualifications. Garland. Andrew. 2015-02-06. www.aqf.edu.au. en. 2019-01-14.
  26. Web site: Doctor of Ministry. www.actheology.edu.au. 2019-01-14.

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