Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is an advanced, professionally oriented, doctoral degree that prepares students more deeply for leadership in congregations, Christian ministries, and chaplaincy contexts, including teaching in some Christian higher education settings. The DMin degree builds upon an accredited master’s degree in a ministry-related area (ordinarily the MDiv) and upon significant prior ministry experience. The integrated curriculum focuses upon the norms, functions, and contexts of leadership in Christian ministries and culminates in writing a dissertation. The degree requires 36 credit hours including the dissertation writing.
Our DMin program is flexible and able to meet the special needs of military chaplains, whose duty stations may change quickly or place them at a considerable distance from campus. Graduates of an approved professional military school may receive transfer credit. The DMin director is the primary academic advisor and may be consulted on all matters pertaining to the program. An additional faculty advisor will be appointed to guide the student through the prospectus – dissertation process.
Admission
In order to be admitted to Erskine Seminary, students must normally possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students applying to the ThM or DMin programs must also possess an appropriate graduate degree. Applicants must demonstrate the academic ability needed to succeed in graduate education as well as the personal and spiritual qualities appropriate to their desired program of study. Students whose degrees are from unaccredited institutions, or whose previous academic work does not meet Erskine’s standards, may be admitted on probation.
Students are encouraged to apply by August 1 for enrollment in the fall semester, January 1 for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer term.
The requirements for admission into Erskine Seminary’s degree programs are evaluated by the admissions office and the Graduate Committee (for MDiv, MAPM, and MATS) or Postgraduate Committee (for ThM and DMin) to ensure that only students capable of doing graduate-level work are admitted.
Graduation
Students must complete 36 semester hours of credit with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (grades of C or higher). Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing and maintain eligibility for financial aid. The program may be completed in as little as three years of part-time study. Students must normally complete the program within five years.
Transfer
Students may transfer up to 15 hours (12 CPE hours) into Erskine’s DMin program from another accredited program (only grades of B or higher). Ordinarily, students may include no more than six hours of cross-registered courses. DMin students may take ThM courses for DMin credit but may not take master’s-level courses.
Continuous Enrollment
Students in the DMin program must remain continuously enrolled and are required to register each fall, spring, and summer without interruption. Otherwise they will automatically be suspended from the program.
Dissertation
The dissertation is the culmination of the DMin program, consolidating the results of the DMin coursework. Students may choose a project-based dissertation for their own ministry setting or a concept-based dissertation that researches an issue or need in the ministry setting.
Student Learning Outcomes
In dependence upon the grace of God, Doctor of Ministry (DMin) graduates will be able to:
Interpretation and Application
Interpret the Bible at an advanced level within its canonical and historical contexts and apply the message of the Bible to contemporary life, especially through writing, preaching, and teaching, while drawing upon the Church’s theological and historical heritage. (Interpretation and Application)
Evangelical and Reformed
Discuss graciously evangelical Christianity and the Reformed theological tradition within the contexts of diverse ecclesiologies, contemporary cultures, and global Christianity. (Evangelical and Reformed)
Theological and Pastoral Integration
Critically evaluate contemporary issues in the Church and the world with theological acumen and pastoral sensitivity. (Theological and Pastoral Integration)
Sanctification
Demonstrate love for Jesus Christ and growth in sanctification toward personal, relational, and spiritual maturity which enables graduates to reinvigorate and deepen their ministerial callings. (Sanctification)
Christian Leadership
Demonstrate growth in their capacity for effective Christian leadership in their specific ministry settings as pastor-shepherds with advanced skill in preaching, teaching, worship leading, evangelism, pastoral care, and administration. (Christian Leadership)
Dissertation
Author a project-based or concept-based dissertation that demonstrates advanced contextual and theological analysis and synthetic research competencies appropriate to an advanced professional degree. (Dissertation)
Foundational
- DR 900 Advanced Research and Writing (2 hs)
- DR 901 Theological Foundations (3 hs)
- DR 902 Ministry in Context (3 hs)
Required
- DMin Norms Course
- DN Biblical Studies Course
- DMin Functions Course
- DMin Contexts Course
Electives
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
- Elective
Dissertation
- DR 940 Candidacy (1 hr)
- DR 941 Dissertation, Stage I (3 hs)
- DR 942 Dissertation, Stage II (3 hs)
- DR 943 Dissertation, Stage III (= 0 hs)
- DR 095 Continuation of Dissertation (= 0 hs)
Program Director
Crain, T. Chris
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
Rev. T. Chris Crain serves as Associate Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology and is the Assistant Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. He is an ordained minister in…