DMin Program Design

  Admissions Banner
 

MDiv-Based 48-Unit Program
Students who hold a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or its equivalent from an approved school must complete 48 units in the DMin program within a 6-year time period.

MAT-Based 60-Unit Program
Students who hold a Master of Theology degree that is at least 96 quarter-units or its equivalent from an approved school can be admitted pending 12 units of pre-requisites within the DMin curriculum to meet MDiv equivalency. Upon successful completion of these 12 units, students will complete the regular 48 units of the DMin program. Students needing to satisfy the biblical language requirement must do so in addition to the 48 unit program. This requirement may be met through a course in the DMin program.  

Personalized and Cohort Tracks
Fuller Doctor of Ministry students will have the option of completing either the Personalized track or the Cohort track.  Both options provide different needs as they are designed with different emphases in mind.  Please browse both options to determine which track best addresses the theological and academic goals of your particular interests.

Cohort Track 
Phase 1: Seminars
40 units

In cohort concentrations, the same group of students meet together for one- and two-week segments with a preset curriculum focused around the areas of interest listed below.

Students may join one of the five possible cohorts available:

  • Urban Ministry Cohort with Soong-Chan Rah 
  • Christian Spirituality with Tony Jones 
  • Lideres Latinos en un Mundo Multicultural with Oscar Garcia-Johnson and Juan Martinez 
  • Missional Leadership Cohort with Alan Roxburgh & Mark Lau Branson 
  • Youth, Family and Culture Cohort with Chapman Clark and Mindy Coates Smith 
Phase 2: Doctoral Projects
8 units

Make a strategic and lasting impact on your ministry through a written Doctoral Project, which integrates your doctoral program and your ministry experience. The Ministry Focus Paper Doctoral Project is a Biblically based, theologically sound paper that explores and develops a strategy to address a specific aspect of ministry in a particular context.
 

Personalized Track 
Phase 1: Online
4 units

All students in the Personalized Track begin with this online phase. DM711 is the gateway to the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller and serves as a general orientation to the program and an introduction to the theological method and practices of the program. DM711 is offered every September, January and March.

DM711 Exploring the Contours of Ministry with Kurt Fredrickson & Kristin Huffman - 4 units

Phase 2: Mentoring and Seminars
40 units

After completing DM711 Exploring the Contours of Ministry, students in the Personalized Track will enroll in a 4 unit mentoring component guiding you over the span of two years towards greater clarity in your calling and increased contribution to the church/ministry you serve. The mentoring process and workload are designed to be taken as you continue taking DMin courses and serving in your ministry context. In addition to the mentoring component, students will complete 36 units from any of our more than 20 course offerings. Subjects include:
  • Leadership
  • Spiritual Formation/ Discipleship
  • Personal & Congregational Care
 
  • Ethics
  • Evangelism & Church Planting
  • Multicultural & Urban Ministries
 
  • Culture & Theology
  • Preaching, Arts & Worship
  • Missional Theology/Missional Church
 

To view the course schedule please click HERE. 

Phase 3: Doctoral Projects
4 units

Make a strategic and lasting impact on your ministry through a written Doctoral Project, which integrates your doctoral program and your ministry experience. The Doctoral Project is a Biblically based, theologically sound paper that explores and develops a strategy to address a specific aspect of ministry in a particular context.

*Students in the 76-unit DMin program complete an additional 28 units of DMin courses. 

 

Military Chaplains Track

Hospital Chaplains Track  
The Doctor of Ministry degree in military chaplaincy provides an opportunity for current military chaplains from all branches of the US armed forces to earn a DMin degree with a focus on the unique needs and challenges of military chaplains. This flexible program combines online courses, 1-2 week on campus DMin intensives, as well as credit awarded for some military chaplaincy training. This 4-5 year program may be completed with just two visits to campus, and culminates in a doctoral project paper.


Phase 1: Online

4 units

All students in the Military Chaplains Track begin with this online phase. DM711 is the gateway to the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller and serves as a general orientation to the program and an introduction to the theological method and practices of the program. DM711 is offered every September, January and March.

DM711 Exploring the Contours of Ministry with Kurt Fredrickson & Kristin Huffman - 4 units

Phase 2: Seminars
40 units

After completing DM711 Exploring the Contours of Ministry, students in the Military Chaplains Track will complete the online course Ethics for Military Chaplains and the online mentoring component, and the remainder of their units from any of our more than 20 course offerings. Students may receive credit for chaplains training received through the military. To learn more about details of credit earned through your branch of the military contact the DMin office at dmin@fuller.edu.

To view the course schedule please click HERE. 

Phase 3: Doctoral Projects
4 units

Make a strategic and lasting impact on your ministry through a written Doctoral Project, which integrates your doctoral program and your ministry experience. The Doctoral Project is a Biblically based, theologically sound paper that explores and develops a strategy to address a specific aspect of ministry in a particular context.