Doctor of Ministry
Cultivate deeper, stronger ministry practices
A hybrid doctorate program for ministry leaders engaging a changing world
Effective ministry today looks different than it did even 10 years ago. It will only continue to change into the future. Fuller’s practice-oriented Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program forms ministry leaders to be reflective and nimble to change. It will stretch you theologically and challenge you with new models of ministry for an ever-changing world.
Strengthen and deepen your own ministry practice with the DMin program here at Fuller Theological Seminary. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
INTEGRATED LEARNING
Integrated learning is vital. Students will be stretched intellectually, spiritually, and practically in the way they do ministry
EMPHASIS ON INNOVATION
Our faculty - themselves practitioners in the trenches of ministry - guide students with innovative practices for an ever-changing world.
CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAM
The Personalized Track provides flexibility in scheduling classes and also provides both breadth and depth of study.
Distance Learning
DMin students earn their degree while continuing to serve in their ministry context with one or two-week on-campus courses.
Choose the Path That's Right for you: Personalized or Cohort Track
Personalized Track
The Personalized Track (PT) is a customizable program that provides flexibility and breadth of study, tailoring course choices to ministry needs. The PT combines online learning with one-week, on-campus, intensive seminars.
The 48-unit program includes*:
- DM711: Exploring the Contours of Ministry (online; 4 units)
- CF704: Two years of ministry mentoring (by phone; 4 units)
- Electives (Four 8-unit on-campus seminars; 32 units; visit the Course Schedule).
- DM710/DM706 Doctoral Project Phase (8 units)
Chaplaincy Tracks:
- Hospital Chaplaincy Track
- Military Chaplaincy Track (Please contact the DMin office at dmin@fuller.edu for more information on Advanced Standing.)
*See DMin unit requirements for details on additional required coursework for 60- and 64-unit students.
PT Application Deadlines:
Fall Quarter: August 10 (DM711 starts Sept)
Winter Quarter: December 10 (DM711 starts Jan)
Spring Quarter: February 10 (DM711 starts March)
Cohort Track
Cohorts center on a specific area of ministry and offer mutual learning that comes from a consistent group of peers and mentorship.
48-unit cohort coursework includes*:
- Year 1: 12-unit, on-campus intensive seminar
- Year 2: 12-unit, on-campus intensive seminar
- Year 3: 12-unit, on-campus intensive seminar
- Year 4: 4-unit Elective
- Years 4-5: 8 units, Doctoral Project Phase
- The average completion rate is 5 years in the 48-unit program;
6 years in the 60- and 64-unit programs.
*See DMin unit requirements for details on additional required coursework for 60- and 64-unit students.
Cohort Application Deadlines:
Application deadlines will depend on the cohort. Please see below for specific dates.
Upcoming Cohorts
RHYTHMS OF WORK AND REST FOR MINISTRY LEADERS
"As ministry leaders, we do a good job of caring for others but often we do not extend the same care to ourselves. The work is challenging, and the seemingly endless demands of preaching, counseling, and visioning keep us busy. Perfectionism, productivity, and exhaustion can often become symbols of our dedication and the measure of our self-worth. And though we comfort ourselves with the belief that all this is necessary for the Kingdom, we struggle with fatigue, anxiety, and discouragement. We grapple with the growing incongruity between how we present ourselves to others and what we may be experiencing on the inside..."
Read the full article by Kurt Fredrickson, DMin Associate Dean, about the benefits of incorporating a Sabbath lifestyle into your ministry.
WHICH PROGRAM LEVEL DO YOU QUALIFY FOR?
Your master’s degree will determine whether you qualify for the 48-unit, 60-unit, or 64-unit DMin program.
Read the Doctor of Ministry Program Learning Objectives.
48-unit DMin
Students who hold an MDiv degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution will need to complete the following:
- 40 units of coursework
- 8 units in the Doctoral Project Phase
- Complete program within 6 years
60-unit DMin
Students who hold an MA in Theology with at least 80 quarter units (or 54-semester credit hours) from an accredited institution will need to complete the following:
64-unit DMin
Students who hold a Master's degree of at least 72 quarter units (or 48-semester credit hours) from an accredited institution, qualify for the 64-unit program. Coursework includes the following:
- 52 units of coursework
- 4 units of New Testament Greek
- 8 units in the Doctoral Project Phase
- Complete program within 8 years
- Hold a theological master’s degree of at least 72 units (or 48 credit hours) from an accredited institution.
- Graduating GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
- Have at least three years of ministry experience after receiving the master's degree.
- Currently serve in a ministry leadership position.
- One course in either NT Greek or OT Hebrew at the graduate and undergraduate level.
Applicants who have not completed this requirement can complete an NT Greek course as part of the DMin program.
- International students: earn a TOEFL Score of 600 (paper), 250 (computer), or 100 (internet): applies to applicants for whom English is a second language and/or who have not earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. Please visit the TOEFL website for more information.
- Some applicants may qualify for advanced standing. Applicants who have completed 1) military chaplaincy training 2) the Renovare two-year training 3) or ECC ordination training, please contact the DMin office for Advanced Standing information.
- No GRE exam in required for the DMin program.
TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Tuition is currently $425 per unit.
Program costs and some financial aid options are outlined below; please note that tuition is subject to change. There are many ways to finance a DMin; check with your church denomination, board, and/or leadership team to partner with you in your education.
Tuition is currently $425/unit; this may rise incrementally every year at a rate of 2–5%. Approximate total tuition:
- 48-unit DMin program: $20,400
- 60-unit DMin program: $25,500
- 64-unit DMin program: $27,200
Walt Gerber Needs-Based Scholarship
Honoring the late distinguished pastor Walt Gerber and sustained through the generosity of an anonymous donor, the needs-based scholarship is available to all students. This scholarship is based on income and potentially cover 10–30% of tuition costs.
Accepted students will need to complete the following to apply for the scholarship:
- 2019-2020 FAFSA form
- Fuller Financial Aid Form
- DMin Scholarship Application (part of the Fuller Financial Aid form)
Hear From Our Alumni
“The input from excellent professors, the writing, the reading, the interaction with classmates with varying degrees of experience, and the different locations in which classes took place all worked together to expand my theological interpretation. ”
GINGER HERTENSTEIN, DMIN ’14
“My classes were all profoundly challenging, stimulating, and transforming for my life and ministry. These teachers not only transferred knowledge in an expert way, but they also spoke into my life in practical and prophetic ways. ”
CARLO WALTH, DMIN ’11
“Ya que ministro en un contexto multicultural, el programa para mí ha sido de mucha bendición. Abrió nuevos horizontes para visualizar e implementar un ministerio con más relevancia en mi comunidad de fe. También influyó en que la iglesia diera apertura a una mejor manera de alcanzar a la comunidad. ”
MARIBEL ZACAPA, DMIN ’15
Continuing Education Options
- Richard Peace Lifelong Learner Program - Fuller DMin graduates can audit DMin courses for $230. As part of the Richard Peace Lifelong Learner Program, after five complete audits, DMin alumni can audit all future courses for free for life.
To audit a DMin course you must:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Continue the Conversation
If you have questions or would like more information about Fuller’s DMin program, please contact our DMin Admissions Advisor Debi Yu.
The DMin office is open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm PT. Please feel free to email or call with any inquiries you may have about the program.
Visit Fuller Studio to access articles & videos:
"Rhythms of Work and Rest For Ministry Leaders"
from DMin Associate Dean, Kurt Fredrickson.
"Spirituality: A Facet of Resilience" from Anne Nolty.
"Voices on Disruption" from Willie Jennings
Video on "Mortality" from Erin Dufault-Hunter