Emmanuel’s Doctor of Ministry Degree Program

The Purpose

The practice of Christian ministry is an increasingly complex and demanding task. Although the standard pre-ministerial educational program already includes 90 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate, many ministers express a desire for a disciplined program of continuing education that will enable them to integrate their practical learnings in ministry with additional advanced-level course work. The Doctor of Ministry degree has been developed to meet these needs.

Increasing religious pluralism in the United States and Canada as well as growing world religions and the globalization of theological education call for more breadth and depth in the education of Christian leaders. Emmanuel School of Religion is committed to the world mission of the church. Thus, it offers the Doctor of Ministry degree with a concern for addressing the need for the continuing education of the servants of the church.

Eligibility

The Doctor of Ministry degree is open to graduates of colleges and universities who have earned an accredited Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent and who are or have been involved in ministry. M.Div. equivalency will be determined generally in reference to Emmanuel’s M.Div. program. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Doctor of Ministry Admissions Committee. For more specific details see the Emmanuel Catalog.

The Program Components

The program consists of 36 credit hours, fifteen of which are classes taken in the Classical Core, fifteen more in the Ministry Core, and six for the final project.

The difference between the Classical and Ministry courses is in content and approach, not purpose. All courses are focused on the understanding and practice of ministry.

Classical Core

Five three-semester-hour units are required in Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Christian Doctrine, one course in each area and another in the area of the student’s choice. Each course will relate the subject studied to significant issues in ministry and provide additional resources from that area for enhancing ministry.

Ministry Core

Five three-semester-hour units are required in the area of Christian Ministries. One of these must be in formation/supervision. No more than three courses may be taken in any one field of ministry. We encourage students to consider courses in: administration, church growth, counseling, clinical pastoral education, leadership development, preaching, teaching, worship, world mission, and evangelism.

Project

A student must submit a written project report which is assigned six semester hours credit. One of these credit hours is awarded for a methodology course in which the student is guided in the choice of a project focus and of appropriate methods in the planning and evaluation of the project. The project consists of the design, accomplishment, and evaluation of a ministerial program culminating in a written report in which biblical, historical, and theological themes are viewed in practice as well as theory.

Duration

The Doctor of Ministry degree requires a minimum of three years for completion. Students may choose classes from the three sessions offered yearly on campus. Two one-week classes are offered each session. Ordinarily a three-semester-hour class runs for one week from Monday noon until Saturday noon.

Although a student could complete the course work in two years, the project would require a third year. The program must be completed within six years. A student must complete at least three semester hours each year to remain in good standing.

Admission Procedure

1. If you are academically eligible for admission (see eligibility description elsewhere in this brochure) and have completed three years of ministry experience subsequent to receiving your M.Div. degree, you may apply for admission to the D.Min. program.
     
2. Request application forms from the D.Min. office.
     
3. Have your college and seminary send official copies of your transcripts to Emmanuel.
     
4. Have three people complete Emmanuel reference forms and send them to the School. If possible, have as your references one of your former seminary professors, a ministerial colleague, and a member of a congregation or constituency you have served.
     
5. Prepare and submit a five-page double-spaced description of a critical incident in your ministry. This small project is to indicate how you view ministry and how you put those views into practice.
     
6. When these materials have been read and evaluated by the Doctor of Ministry Committee, an interview will be arranged as the final step toward admission to the program.
     
7. Upon admission into the D.Min. program, new students will be required to take the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III).
     

Admissions forms may be found here.

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