What is the purpose of the DMin degree? The Doctor of
Ministry degree is a practice-oriented doctorate for pastors and other ministry
leaders. The goal is to equip students to be reflective practitioners
developing new levels of theological discernment and practical skills for the
art of ministry leadership.
Fuller’s DMin’s
tag line is Fire for your Ministry; Oxygen for your Soul. This stresses the
twin objectives of the program: New skills for the practice of ministry, and
rest and refreshment for the leader’s interior life.
What could I do with a DMin degree? The primary
purpose of the DMin degree is to enable ministry leaders to more fully engage
their ministry context with greater theological depth and a wider practical
perspective. DMin graduates also find opportunities to teach at the college and
seminary level.
Why should I get a DMin from Fuller? This DMin program
will disturb your life! It is designed for ministry leaders who are seeking to
strengthen and deepen their ministry practice. DMin students will be stretched
theologically and exposed to new models of ministry.
Fuller Seminary
as one of the largest seminaries with students from over 70 denominations and
countries. Fuller exposes a humble
and convicted evangelical theology which is nuanced by the diversity of faculty
and students. With its three
schools, Fuller trains church leaders, missionaries, and therapists for service
to the church.
Fuller’s DMin
program draws from the resources of all three schools. The size of Fuller’s DMin program
provides great flexibility and a wide variety of faculty and course topics.
While the program is large, our class size remains small allowing for
interaction between professors and students.
When should I
apply? The Doctor of Ministry program has rolling
admission throughout the year, and our Admissions Committee meets monthly. It is recommended that you submit your
application at least two months prior to starting the Personalized Track and
the online course DM711 Exploring the
Contours of Ministry, and at least four months prior to beginning a
cohort. This allows several weeks
to complete the admission process and any preliminary readings for DMin
courses.
How do I submit
and follow up on my application? You may apply online at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/fuller/index.html
What is the
status of my application? If you have already submitted a complete
application and are wondering when you will hear from our office, please be
assured that we will contact you as soon as possible following the committee’s
admission decision. If your application is completed by the 10th of
the month you should have an admission decision by the end of that same month.
Does Fuller offer
an online or distance learning Doctor of Ministry program? Because
our students are actively involved in ministry, this program is structured for
great flexibility. We find the interaction in the classroom learning
environment to be a crucial part of the program. We are adding online and distance learning components to
some of our courses but the DMin degree is not available solely online or from
a distance.However, DMin courses are offered around the world and you can
complete your degree with as few as two or three trips for intensive
coursework.
I don’t have an
MDiv. Does my master’s degree
qualify? To qualify for the MA-based 60-unit track you will
need a completed Master of Arts degree of a theological nature, consisting of
at least 96 quarter units/64 semester units. For
more information regarding the 60-unit MA track visit: http://www.fuller.edu/academics/school-of-theology/dmin/admissions/home.aspx.
What if my ministry experience is bi-vocational or
volunteer? We understand
that ministry leaders today are increasingly bi-vocational. It is not required
that your ministerial leadership experience be full-time or paid. It must,
however, be a substantial leadership position from which you can grow,
challenge, apply and implement strategies that you are learning within the DMin
Program.
Is financial aid
available? The Doctor of Ministry program has a limited number
of need-based grants available to DMin students. These grants are awarded to accepted students according to
the Doctor of Ministry Grant Guidelines on a course-by-course basis. For more information, please contact
the DMin office at dmin@fuller.edu.
Can I get course
credit for ministry experience? We do not give course credit for ministry
experience.
Does "three years of full-time ministry
experience" refer to post MDiv experience or just three years of
experience in general? Is this
requirement ever waived?To
be admitted to the DMin program, a student should have three years of full time
ministry experience following the completion of their master’s degree. If
students have many years of full time ministry experience prior to and during
their MDiv/MAT studies the admissions committee may take that experience into
consideration. The committee considers each application on a case-by-case
basis.
What is the cost
of the Doctor of Ministry degree? The Fuller DMin degree is a 48-unit degree for
students with an MDiv degree and 60-units for those in the MA track. At the current tuition rate of $390 per
unit, the cost of the 48-unit track is $18,720, and the 60-unit track is $23,400.
What is the difference between the cohort and
personalized track?
In our cohort track you study with the same group of students and the same one
or two professors throughout your program. The courses you take are all mapped
out for you and you have a specific emphasis of study. This track of study
offers a bit more accountability as you take your intensive at the same time
each year - this keeps you steadily moving through the program so you do not
fall behind.
In our personalized track of study, you can pick and choose from a variety of courses offered throughout the year though you will not necessarily study with the same group of students throughout your program.
What if I still
have questions?
Phone: (800)
999-9578 or (626) 584-5315
E-mail: dmin@fuller.edu
Website: www.fuller.edu/dmin