Doctor of Ministry

Deepening ministry skills and spiritual growth to face local and global challenges

[Pending approval by the Association of Theological Schools.]

The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced professional degree that deepens students’ religious leadership in traditional and non-traditional ministry settings, including congregational ministry, social justice and entrepreneurial ministries, and teaching roles. Coursework and reflection on lived leadership experience provide grounding points for the development of doctoral research and a thesis attentive to lived questions of theology and praxis.

Tightly woven student cohorts are led by faculty mentors who engage as a community of learners. Student-centered learning is at the heart of our program. Access to the Wiggin Library collection, the support of research librarians, and over 35 million books from academic and theological libraries across Illinois support student learning and research, with books available onsite or mailed directly to your door.  

All cohorts will meet for an annual weekend orientation and retreat in late-August (Friday – Sunday).

Students must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent and have three years of ministerial experience (ordained or lay) prior to application and matriculation.

Degree Requirements

The DMin degree requires 30 credits. The program should be completed in three years, including two years of coursework and one year of research and writing.

Course Sequence

Year 1

FALL	SPRING
Methods in Leadership and Ministry	Theologies and Practices of Liberation     or Social Change Leadership
Theories of Justice     or Research Methods and Ethics	Elective

 

Year 2

FALL	SPRING
Spirituality for Social Change	Leadership and Ministry Research Colloquy
Theories of Justice     or Research Methods and Ethics	Theologies and Practices of Liberation     or Social Change Leadership

 

Year 3

FALL	SPRING
Supervised Thesis Research I	Supervised Thesis Research II

Learning Outcomes

• Students will produce original research that develops a theology of ministry, responds to their challenges in ministry, and critically reflects on the field of faith leadership.
• Students will deploy a variety of theological methods and leadership praxes in engagement with diverse faith settings.
• Students will assess, evaluate, and grow their ministerial skills through community-engaged, research-driven curriculum. 
• Students will develop the skills to support their continued personal and spiritual growth as faith leaders.