Guide to Doctor of Ministry Programs: Browse All DMin Degrees

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs are great for pastors and church leaders who want to deepen their theological understanding and sharpen their practical ministry skills to better serve their congregations and organizations. This article introduces you to DMin programs and answers common questions about coursework and tuition. At the end of the guide, you’ll find our full directory of DMin degree programs.

What Are Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Programs?

A Doctor of Ministry degree is a professional doctorate degree that focuses on helping students develop practical skills to apply in a ministry setting. Students learn how to address various challenges and problems in a ministry context while engaging in high-level research that further informs their understanding and approach to congregational ministry.

Most DMin programs require students to hold a Master of Divinity (MDiv) before enrolling. Many programs also expect students to have between three and five years of hands-on ministry experience. Because students will be discussing high-level ministry concepts and situations, prior ministry experience is an important prerequisite.

DMin programs offer students an opportunity to learn in a community setting. Most students complete classes while working in a ministry context and frequently integrate their studies with the work they are doing in ministry. Most DMin students continue serving as pastors, church leaders, and missionaries after completing their degrees. Some DMin graduates serve as theology or practical ministry professors, but this is less common.

DMin vs. PhD in Theology: What’s the Difference?

While you can call yourself a doctor with either a DMin or a PhD in theology, these degrees are very different in terms of their purpose and application.

A PhD is a research-oriented degree that will prepare you for teaching positions and further academic research. The same holds true for a Doctor of Divinity (DD or DDiv) program.

A DMin is a more practical degree that is likely better suited for students who plan to serve in ministerial contexts where they can apply the concepts and skills they learn about in school.

DMin Program Overview

In this next section, we’ll discuss how DMin programs are structured, how long they take to complete, and what projects or portfolios you’ll work on during your time in school.

DMin Program Structure

A DMin program normally consists of three main components. Students usually begin with taking two or three required classes. From there, they get to choose between a range of elective courses in different categories related to ministry or theology. At the end of the program, most schools require a capstone project or thesis where students can apply what they’ve learned in school to a specific context or situation in ministry.

The average DMin program takes between three and six years to complete. Since most DMin students concurrently work in full-time ministry, programs typically don’t require residency. Many allow students to complete most of their coursework remotely while traveling to campus only a few times during their time in school.

Many universities (such as The King’s University) enroll students in cohorts when they begin. In this type of setting, you’ll have classes with the same students throughout your time in school. While this may not allow much flexibility when choosing electives, many students enjoy the camaraderie of building relationships as they work closely together on their degrees.

Abilene Christian University’s DMin program entails 33 total hours of coursework, with most classes including a short residency component. Students will take two three-hour classes during opening residency (“Biblical and Theological Foundations of Ministry” and “Contextual Analysis in Practice”) in addition to finishing their Doctor of Ministry orientation. Afterward, they can choose any six electives from the DMin curriculum before starting on their nine-hour method and project/thesis.

Curriculum and Coursework

Most programs begin with a short orientation course and two or three required classes. These core courses could include introductory classes in biblical leadership, theological research, or practical ministry. Their purpose is to help students prepare for future coursework and acclimate themselves to high-level theological and ministerial study.

Once students finish their initial studies, they can choose between a range of ministry electives based on their specific interests. For example, students at Union Presbyterian Seminary who are interested in ministry in a church context could take classes like “Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning” or “Ecology and Worship,” while students who hope to work in the mission field may be more interested in classes such as “Interreligious Dialogue” or “Ecclesiology in World Christian Perspective.”

Dallas Theological Seminary typically requires all DMin students to take three courses: “The Ministry Leader,” “Applied Research Project Development Seminar,” and “The Applied Research Project.” Students usually complete one independent study course as well, plus a three-hour applied ministry capstone project. Beyond these standard courses, students can choose from a long list of electives grouped into categories like Christian education, leadership and administration, spiritual formation, theology, and women in ministry.

DMin Thesis, Portfolios, and Projects

Typically, you’ll spend the first portion of your program taking classes before preparing a thesis or portfolio. This final project gives you a chance to apply what you’ve learned from your DMin program in a practical ministerial context. The average thesis or project requires a well-developed research study and methodology, a written analysis of the experiment, and the lessons or analysis that it reveals. Many students incorporate their congregation or ministry into the completion of their final project to some extent.

At Chicago Theological Seminary, students spend their first two years completing a combination of required classes and elective courses. During year three, they work on their required directed study project. They propose a thesis and conduct research while working closely with the assigned course instructor as well as other faculty members. At the end of the year, they must present their oral thesis for evaluation.

For a better idea of what to expect, explore the theses and project examples below:

• Doctor of Ministry theses from Abilene Christian University
• Doctor of Ministry projects from Winebrenner Theological Seminary

How Much Do Doctor of Ministry Programs Cost?

The average Doctor of Ministry program costs between $300 and $500 per credit hour. On average, the most affordable DMin programs cost around only $15,000 in total, while the more expensive programs may charge close to $45,000 by the time a student finishes their degree.

Most schools will also charge students various fees for enrollment, course materials, and campus services. Depending on what school you’re considering, you may be able to apply for additional scholarships or financial aid beyond what government programs such as FAFSA make available.

Manna University’s DMin program only costs $325 per credit hour. There are some fees, but the charges are minimal compared to other programs. Students are responsible for a $150 technology fee per semester in addition to one-time application, library, and graduation fees.

At Virginia Union University, doctoral programs cost $451 per credit hour. Students are also charged a comprehensive fee of $1,850 per semester. For a 62-hour program that usually takes three years, this brings the total tuition cost to nearly $40,000.

Phoenix Seminary’s tuition costs are higher per hour, but the program as a whole is cheaper because students aren’t required to complete as many hours. Currently, classes cost $525 per credit hour, with an estimated $17,150 total for the degree. Students can also apply for several scholarships such as the Shepherd’s Scholarship, which offers a 25% tuition discount. The school will also match up to 10% of any contributions made by the student’s church.

Online DMin Programs

Because DMin programs often cater to church leaders who work on a full- or part-time basis, most don’t require students to live close to campus. Many schools offer the majority of their courses online, asking students to come on campus only for residencies, one to three weeks each year.

Some DMin programs don’t have any residency requirements at all. Beginning in fall 2023, Northeastern Seminary will offer a fully online Doctor of Ministry program. Students must have three prior years of ministry experience and previous graduate-level education in theology. Students can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.

What Can You Do with a Doctor of Ministry?

Most DMin students will continue their career in ministry after finishing their degree. They will be top candidates for pastoral positions and missionary roles. If you finish a DMin and decide to look for a job outside the church world, you may be a good fit for a position in social work or organizational leadership.

As previously mentioned, the major difference between earning a PhD and a DMin is in the application of your studies. PhD graduates usually continue academic-level research and teaching after completing their degree since PhD programs are more research-oriented and theoretical. A Doctor of Ministry degree is a more practical, skill-based degree, and most graduates will look for opportunities to put their knowledge and skills to work in a church or parachurch organization.