Doctor of Ministry
School of Mission and Theology
Ministry leaders today need Spirit-led, innovative training that equips them to serve faithfully in a changing world.
Fuller’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program trains ministry leaders to lead with innovation and wisdom, equipping them to think strategically and to develop the skills needed to navigate complex challenges. Designed for leaders ready to grow theologically and be challenged intellectually, the program prepares you to step confidently into new and evolving ministry contexts.
Flexible
Customizable Emphasis and Schedule
Practical
Theological and Practical Foundation
Distance Learning
Stay in Your Context
Cohort Mentors Include:
Associate Professor of Leadership
DMin Affiliate Assistant Professor
DMin Affiliate Assistant Professor
Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism
DMin Cohorts
Fuller DMin Cohorts offer ministry leaders the opportunity to develop deep expertise in a specialized area of ministry as they learn alongside a community of peers under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Over three years, students progressively build their final doctoral project while gaining fresh vision, renewed purpose, and the tools needed for their next season of leadership.
Upcoming Cohorts
2025
AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP COHORT: NOW & NEXT
Fall application deadline: August 15, 2025
SOUL CARE COHORT: Equipping Chaplains and Leaders for a Ministry of Holistic Healing
Fall application deadline: August 15, 2025
IMPACT HOUSTON COHORT (Houston, Texas)
Fall application deadline: August 15, 2025
2026
FAITH, WORK, AND THE MARKETPLACE COHORT
Early Winter application deadline: July 25, 2025
Winter Final application deadline: October 31, 2025
MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP IN ASIA COHORT
Spring application deadline: January 30, 2026
ASIAN AMERICAN MINISTRY COHORT
Fall application deadline: July 31, 2026
Fall application deadline: July 31, 2026
Past and In-Progress Cohorts
The DMin program is accredited by ATS and WASC. Visit our Learning Objectives page for more information.
Personalized Track (PT)
Important Notice:
Effective Spring (March) 2026, the DMin program will no longer be accepting students into the Personalized Track. The PT will be replaced by a Pastoral Leadership Cohort with courses in leadership and preaching.
Applicants interested in the PT must apply to the DMin program no later than the Fall 2025 quarter.*
Personalized Track Structure: 48 units total
- DM711: Required online intro course (4 units, starting Sep and Mar)
- Electives: 36 units (three courses) from the Course Schedule
- Doctoral Project Phase: Online (8 units)
*All new and current PT students will be offered a teach out plan that ensures they will be able to complete the DMin program through electives and directed reading courses.
Fall Application Deadline: July 25, 2025
“Fuller's DMin program was just what I needed to help me go deeper in ministry; everything I learned was applicable to my work as a pastor. Getting to know and learn from professors, practitioners, and other fellow pastors was invaluable. I am so grateful for my time.”
– Justin Fung (DMin ’19)
Admission Requirements
- A Master's in Divinity (MDiv) degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution is required.
- Or a theological master's degree (as an MTS, MAT, etc) from an accredited institution may qualify to the DMin program if the program demonstrates at least six courses at the graduate level in the areas of biblical studies, theology, Christian ethics, and Church history.
- Or a non-theological master's degrees (as an MBA, MFT, MSW, etc) from an accredited institution may qualify to the DMin program with the completion of (up to) six graduate-level classes in the following areas prior to application review: three biblical studies (OT and NT), Christian ethics, theology, and Church history.
Please contact the DMin office at [email protected] for more information and/or a transcript review.
- A current ministerial leadership position.
- A minimum of three years of ministry leadership experience post master's degree. For exceptions, please email the DMin office at [email protected].
- A cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0+ (on a 4.0 scale).
- Applicants for whom English is not a first language, a TOEFL (600+ paper), IELTS (6.5+), or Duolingo (120+) exam is required. Those who have completed their master's program fully in English may request a TOEFL waiver by submitting a letter to [email protected].
- A GRE score is not required.
Current students who have not registered for a course for four consecutive quarters will need to apply for reinstatement. Please visit this page for the Reinstatement Policy.
Application Components
Get started on your path to becoming a Fuller DMin student:
- Begin the online application and complete required questions.
- Three References: 1) Pastoral, 2) Academic, and 3) Ministry Peer. Applicants who have been out of school longer than five years may replace the Academic with a second Ministry Peer Reference.
- Two Statements: 1) Religious Autobiography and 2) a Statement of Purpose
- Writing sample (1,250-1,500 words) based on anarticle, downloadable from the online application.
- An additional case study (500 words) for applicants holding a non-MDiv theological master's degree or a professional master's degree.
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.
- $75 non-refundable online application fee.
Tuition and Scholarships
Effective Fall 2023, tuition is $505/unit.*
- 48-unit program, total tuition is $24,240.
- Student Fees: $105 e-Resource fee, $25 Student Services fee per course ($130 per course)
- One time New Student Fee: $140 (paid once at the start of the program)
Please visit the Tuition Page for additional information on costs involved in the program.
*Tuition is also subject to change yearly based on a 2-5% increase.
Fuller Institutional Scholarship
All accepted student qualify to apply for the Fuller Institutional scholarship which covering $550 per 4-unit course, and will be offered every quarter that the student is enrolled until graduation. This amount is contingent on the student's good academic standing within the program.
Currently, we are unable to offer full scholarships.
Walt Gerber Scholarship
Honoring the late distinguished pastor Walt Gerber and sustained through the generosity of an anonymous donor, limited funding is available to all students. This scholarship can be awarded in addition to the institutional scholarship.
Scholarship Application
To apply for both scholarships, accepted students will need to complete the following to apply for the scholarship:
- Universal Scholarship Application (application opens following an admissions decision)
- FAFSA form (only for those applying for Federal loans)
Lifelong Learning Options
We promote lifelong learning at Fuller by providing ministry leaders with the following opportunities for continued education.
Course Audits
Who qualifies for an audit? Auditors must:
- Hold a theological master's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Have been involved in ministry for three or more years.
- Be currently serving in a ministry context.
- Begin a DMin Non-Credit Application.
Audit Fees
- Current DMin Students: $80/course
- DMin Alumni: $80/course
- Fuller DMin Spouse: $130/course
- Qualified Auditor Fee: $330/course ($250 + $80 student fee)
Upcoming Events
Payton Lectures
Fuller's annual Payton Lectures bring in the top scholars from around the world to interact with the Fuller academic community.
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Get to know your admissions counselor | Debi Yu
I started at Fuller in 2012 to work on my Master's of Arts in Theology degree. I am currently a PhD candidate working on completing my dissertation in systematic theology. At the same time, I am the admissions counselor for both the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and the Doctor of Global Leadership (DGL) programs.
Oftentimes, students to the DMin and DGL program come because they are at a crossroads in their ministry – they may have a recurring issue in ministry or they may feel stuck or are seeking further training beyond what they have received. Students also often come with the hurts associated with ministry. Seeing the empowerment, the retooling, and even the healing that comes with the professional doctorate programs is something I believe in and am proud to be a part of. I look forward to discerning next steps with you!
Contact
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