Doctor of Ministry

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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[edit]

United States and Canada[edit]

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)[1] and to have engaged in no fewer than three years of full-time ministry,[1] 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.[1] Normally, the degree requires between three and six years to complete.[1] 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."[1] 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[edit]

Australia[edit]

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[19] 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."[20] 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.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. "Degree Program Standards: Doctor of Ministry". Standards of Accreditation (PDF). Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. pp. 124–126. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  2. ^ Smith, Nancy-Jane (2009). Achieving Your Professional Doctorate: A Handbook. New York: McGraw Hill. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-335-22721-1.
  3. ^ "Birmingham Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry Handbook". Birmingham Theological Seminary. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "DMin Application Information". Duke Divinity School. Duke University. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  5. ^ "DMin Concentrations". Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Online DMin Degree". Lancaster Bible College.
  7. ^ "DMin Degree". Duke Divinity School. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  8. ^ "DMin Degree". Fuller Theological Seminary.
  9. ^ "DMin Degree". Asbury Theological Seminary. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  10. ^ "DMin Degree". Boston University School of Theology. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  11. ^ "DMin Degree". Candler School of Theology. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  12. ^ "DMin Degree". Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
  13. ^ "DMin Degree". Wesley Theological Seminary.
  14. ^ "DMin Degree". Vanderbilt University Divinity School.
  15. ^ "Doctor of Ministry". Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "DMin Degree". Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  17. ^ "DMin Degree". Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Doctor of Ministry in Theology". Northern Seminary. 27 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Our Courses – Australian College of Theology". www.actheology.edu.au. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  20. ^ Garland, Andrew (2015-02-06). "AQF qualifications". www.aqf.edu.au. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
  21. ^ "Doctor of Ministry". www.actheology.edu.au. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
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