Doctor of Ministry

Equipping leaders, strengthening churches

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Program Snapshot

32 Credit Hours 10 Classes
3 Years to Complete
Online
or
Modular
View D.Min. Concentrations

The church deserves the very best leaders.

If you long to faithfully lead in ministry environments and learn from world-renowned faculty, Southern Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program is for you. The D.Min. offers academic rigor in a trusted environment with faculty support to ensure success.

3 Reasons to Study Doctor of Ministry at Southern

1

Flexible Training

We offer the Doctor of Ministry degree in both a modular and fully-online format so that pastors and church leaders do not have to relocate.

Through our online concentrations, you can complete your full degree without a single trip to campus.

Through our modular format, seminars are offered in manageable, one-week segments (Tuesday– Friday).

2

Relational Learning

You will complete your entire D.Min. with the same cohort – a group of like-minded ministry practitioners. Develop lasting bonds with other ministry leaders in the D.Min.

Plus, every D.Min. student is paired with a faculty supervisor that works with them throughout their program. Meet a lifelong mentor with seasoned ministry experience. 

3

Ministry Focus

The D.Min. is an extension of your current ministry, not a distraction from it.

The Doctor of Ministry is about helping church leaders improve what they’re actively doing every week. All of our professors are committed to making every aspect of your education more meaningful to you, your ministry, and your work.

Plus, the D.Min. is built for your success: Southern Seminary has the highest D.Min. graduation rate among accredited seminaries.

Practical training for the challenges of ministry

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? Our dedicated team of admissions counselors is here to help every step of the way. Here are some answers to common questions.

Preacher preaching

The D.Min. degree at Southern Seminary exists to train leaders to be expert practitioners in their area of study.

The degree culminates in a Ministry Research Project (100-125 pages) where students will apply professional knowledge and documented research into the context of their ministry.

Most concentrations require a regionally-accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) totaling no fewer than 48 hours, with at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies and at least twelve hours in leadership, administration, education, or ministry studies, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).

  • Concentrations in Biblical Counseling, Biblical Theology, Expository Preaching, New Testament Exposition and Old Testament Exposition have additional pre-requisite requirements.
  • See “Admissions” tab for more information.

If you have previous masters-level credit but do not have the required hours for admission, you may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office to find out if you qualify for SBTS D.Min. programs.*

For a complete listing of D.Min.  admissions requirements, see the “Admissions” tab.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES approved organization for both admissions consdiration and for equivalency requests.

Our unique structure ensures the timely and successful completion of your degree program, as you begin work on your doctoral project writing from day one.

Students will visit campus twice a year for seminars during their first 2 years in the program. Click here to view a sample schedule.

Students receive program advising from the Office of Professional Doctoral Studies throughout the entire program of study. Upon completion of Project Methodology (80600), the student is assigned to a faculty supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for guiding the student’s progress through the Ministry Research Project or Research Thesis.

 

D.Ed.Min. students will follow the same curriculum as the D.Min., but will also take 14 additional hours of educational and pedagogical seminars (for a program total of 46 hours).

Note that program costs differ between the D.Min. and D.Ed.Min.

Toussaint C. Adams in the pulpit

In their own words

“I think those who have a desire to become more effective in their local churches should pursue a D.Min. It is a program designed to help you help the local church thrive to the glory of Christ. Regardless of what field of ministry you’re in, Southern has a program specifically created for you to increase the fruitfulness of the ministry God has called you to. ”

Toussaint C. Adams
Lead Pastor Watson Memorial
Pastor preaching

In their own words

“Looking back on the educational opportunities that I experienced, my D.Min. degree has proven to be the one where I received the most practical pastoral training. I am forever indebted to the professors who poured their lives into mine and helped me become a stronger leader and pastor.”

Kevin Ezell
President, North American Mission Board

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding and integration of ministry into various theological disciplines.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate applied knowledge & skills pertinent to his/her vocational ministry.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to use standard research tools and methods in the chosen field of study.
  • Students will be able to research, plan, and implement a project relevant to his/her vocational ministry and to communicate the plan and its results effectively.
  • Students will be able to contribute to the understanding and practice of ministry through the completion of a written project report suitable for inclusion in the seminary library.

Admissions

Admissions Prerequisites

To be considered for the D.Min. or D.Ed.Min. program, we require the following for applications:

  • Unless otherwise stated below, most D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. degrees require a regionally-accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) totaling no fewer than 48 hours, with at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies and at least twelve hours in leadership, administration, education, or ministry studies, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
    • The D.Min. and D.Ed.Min in Biblical Counseling requires a regionally-accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) totaling no fewer than 48 hours, with at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies, at least nine hours in leadership, administration, education, or ministry studies, and at least three hours in counseling, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
    • The D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. in Biblical Theology, Expository Preaching, New Testament Exposition and Old Testament Exposition require a 72 hour Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. The M.Div. degree, or its equivalent, must be from an accredited institution including the study of both Hebrew and Greek, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
  • Students who do not meet the criteria listed above but have existing masters-level credit may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office. They may then attend Southern Seminary as a Doctoral Leveling student, complete the appropriate courses, and may then qualify for admission consideration into the program.
  • International transcripts will require an official evaluation from a NACES approved organization (World Evaluation Services is preferred).

Application Requirements

  • All applicants must receive a reference from the local church where they are a member. Family members may not complete this reference. If you are the pastor of your church, please select another church leader (associate pastor, elder, deacon, etc.) to complete the church recommendation. You will enter your recommender’s information on the “Recommendations” tab of the application.
  • Two additional recommendations. We suggest that a professor or a business acquaintance who can speak to academic performance complete the 2 additional recommendation forms required for doctoral students.
  • Transcription from the educational institution or institutions that conferred any required degrees should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Contact the registrar or academic records office of your previous institution(s). They may e-mail the transcripts (directly or via 3rd party such as Parchment) to admissions@sbts.edu or mail copies to our physical address. Transcripts must come directly from schools either electronically or in sealed/unopened envelopes.
  • Complete a Ministry Field Essay (click here to access Ministry Field Essay prompts) of 750-1,000 words in response to a case calling for the application of biblical and theological insights into a ministry situation. You may upload your field essay directly onto the application.
  • Submit a Ministry Resume outlining your present and past ministry experience. You may upload your ministry directly onto the application.
  • $40 application fee – paid after application submission.
  • Non-native English speakers, including those who have graduated from any U.S. school, must submit an official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores must meet a minimum of 90 for DMin or DEdMin programs.

Application Deadlines

  • March 15 – Summer entry
  • October 15 – Winter entry

Ready to Learn More?


Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.

Doctoral Visit Opportunities

Program Cost

$1,000 down payment, and remaining balance due equally over 36 months.*

Total CostMonthly Payment
Total cost for SBC students$12,748$326.33
Total cost for non-SBC students$16,657$434.92

*Program tuition shown is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional fees are subject to the current fee schedule.

Textbooks, lodging, food, travel, and graduation costs are not included in the program fee. Any remaining balance of the program fee is due upon graduation. Students who take longer than six semesters to complete the degree will be charged a continuation fee each semester.

Our professors are practitioners as well as scholars.


You’ll study with faculty who have significant experience in academia and ministry. Allowing for support that will lead you to produce scholarship for the church, and particulary for your local church context.

Meet our faculty

Course of Study

View the schedule for Summer or Winter program entry

Year One

Winter (January)Foundational Seminar 1
Students will complete 80610 Introduction to Research and Writing online prior to their first seminar.
One week on campus
Spring (Feb. – May)Contextualized Writing Seminar 1
During this seminar, students will begin their ministry research project.
Online
Summer (July)Foundational Seminar 2
Project Methodology
Two weeks on campus
Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Contextualized Writing Seminar 2
During this time, students will finalize their project proposal.
Online

Year Two

Winter (January)Foundational Seminar 3One week on campus
Spring (Feb. – May)Contextualized Writing Seminar 3
During this seminar, students will complete chapter two of their ministry research project.
Online
Summer (July)Foundational Seminar 4One week on campus
Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Contextualized Writing Seminar 4
During this time, students will complete chapter three of their ministry research project.
Online

Year Three

Spring (Feb. – May)Ministry Research Project and WritingProject implementation in your place of ministry
Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Ministry Research Project and Writing
Students will defend their project.
Graduation

Year One

Summer (July)Foundational Seminar 1
Students will complete 80610 Introduction to Research and Writing online prior to their first seminar.
One week on campus
Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Contextualized Writing Seminar 1
During this seminar, students will begin their ministry research project.
Online
Winter (January)Foundational Seminar 2
Project Methodology
Two weeks on campus
Spring (Feb. – May)Contextualized Writing Seminar 2
During this time, students will finalize their project proposal.
Online

Year Two

Summer (July)Foundational Seminar 3One week on campus
Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Contextualized Writing Seminar 3
During this seminar, students will complete chapter two of their ministry research project.
Online
Winter (January)Foundational Seminar 4One week on campus
Spring (Feb. – May)Contextualized Writing Seminar 4
During this time, students will complete chapter three of their ministry research project.
Online

Year Three

Fall (Aug. – Dec.)Ministry Research Project and WritingProject implementation in your place of ministry
Spring (Feb. – May)Ministry Research Proejct and Writing
Students will defend their project.
Graduation

Ready to Learn More?


Prospective doctoral students are invited to visit Southern Seminary.

Doctoral Visit Opportunities
professor teaching angle from class

Questions?


Contact Admissions

Phone: (502) 897-4200

Text: (502) 305-3554

Email: admissions@sbts.edu

Are you ready to become a pastor, counselor, or church leader who is Trusted for Truth?

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