Doctor of Ministry
A Hybrid Doctorate Program for Ministry Leaders
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 allows you to customize a "learning path" that takes into account your own personal goals and the needs of your ministry. The PT combines online learning with on-campus intensive seminars that meet for one week per class.
The 48-unit program includes*:
- DM711: Required 10-week online course (4 units)
- CF704: Two years of ministry mentoring (by phone; 4 units)
- Electives (four 8-unit on-campus seminars; 32 units)
- Doctoral Project Phase (8 units)
Chaplaincy Tracks:
- Hospital Chaplaincy Track
- Military Chaplaincy Track (Contact the DMin office for information on Advanced Standing fro military chaplaincy training.)
*See DMin unit requirements for details on additional required coursework for 60- and 64-unit students.
Application Deadlines:
Fall (Sep) Quarter: August 1
Winter (Jan) Quarter: December 1
Spring (Mar) Quarter: February 1
The Admissions Committee meets every month to review applications; applications received by the 1st of each month will receive an admissions decision by the end of the same month. Applicants are, therefore, welcome to submit their applications at any time before the final deadline.
Cohort Track
The Cohort Track offers the intensity of the DMin program with the intimacy of a learning community gathered around a specific topic, with set meeting times and a faculty member(s) specialized in your area of interest.
48-unit cohort coursework includes*:
- Year 1: 12-unit, on-campus seminar
- Year 2: 12-unit, on-campus seminar
- Year 3: 12-unit, on-campus seminar
- Year 4: 4-unit Elective
- Years 4-5: 8 units, Doctoral Project Phase
*See DMin unit requirements for details on additional required coursework for 60- and 64-unit students.
Upcoming Cohorts
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
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. Speak with the DMin office regarding exceptions.
- 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.
- A GRE exam score is not required.
TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Tuition is currently $425 each unit.
Program costs and some financial aid options are outlined below; please note that tuition is subject to change. Students can opt for a payment plan, which would divide total tuition into three equal installments. Tuition is due per course by the first day of class.
Based on the $425 rate, total tuition is currently:
- 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. Currently, we are unable to offer full-scholarships.
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)
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:
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.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Continue the Conversation
If you have questions or would like more information about Fuller’s DMin program, please contact the DMin Admissions Advisor, Debi Yu.
The DMin office is open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm PT.
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