Doctor of Ministry
Cultivate a Deeper, Stronger Ministry Practice
In many ways effective ministry looks different than it did even 10 years ago, and it will only continue to change in the future. Fuller’s practice-oriented Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program forms pastors and other ministry leaders to be reflective and nimble, stretching them theologically and exposing them to new models of ministry. Drawing from the resources of Fuller’s three schools and offering flexible, customizable forms of study, the DMin helps leaders strengthen and deepen their ministry practice.
DISTINCTIVES OF FULLER’S DMIN PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP GROWTH
Students are stretched intellectually, spiritually, and practically as the DMin challenges and expands the way they do ministry
AN EMPHASIS ON INNOVATION
Participants are guided and inspired—by faculty who are themselves practitioners—to lead on the forward edge of faith and culture
A CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAM
Students can choose to study alongside peer leaders in a cohort format, or design a track that’s personalized to their needs
ACCESS TO LIFELONG LEARNING
Fuller’s DMin graduates, once they’ve audited five courses, get all future audits free for life
CHOOSE THE PATH THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU: PERSONALIZED OR COHORT
PERSONALIZED
The Personalized Track (PT) is a customizable program for students who are looking for flexibility and breadth of study, tailoring course choices to ministry needs. One-quarter of the degree may be completed online and the remainder through one-week intensive, on-campus courses.
Coursework includes:
- DM711: Exploring the Contours of Ministry (online course; 4 units)
- CF704: Two years of mentoring (by phone; 4 units)
- Electives (Four 8-unit courses; 32 units; see course options)
- Doctoral Project (8 units; work submitted online)
- The average student takes 5 to 6 years to complete the program.
Additional coursework is required for 60- and 64-unit students (learn more about DMin unit requirements). For more information please contact our admissions advisor.
Chaplaincy Tracks as part of PT:
- Hospital Chaplaincy Track
- Military Chaplaincy Track
COHORT
The Cohort Track centers on a specific area of ministry and offers the mutual learning and support that comes from a consistent group of peers. Participants move through the coursework phase with the same students under the mentorship of the supervising professor(s), coming to campus three to five times for intensive courses.
Coursework includes:
- Year 1: 12-unit Cohort
- Year 2: 12-unit Cohort
- Year 3: 12-unit Cohort
- Year 4–5: 4-unit Cohort
- Plus 8-unit Doctoral Project
The average student takes 5 to 6 years to complete the degree program. Additional coursework is required for 60- and 64-unit students (learn more about DMin unit requirements). For more information please contact our admissions advisor.
Upcoming Cohorts
Cohorts Currently in Progress
HEAR FROM 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.
MDiv qualifies for the 48-unit DMin
Students who hold an MDiv degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution will need to complete the following:
- 48 units of coursework
- Doctoral project
- Complete program within 6 years
MAT Qualifies for the 60-unit DMin
Students who hold an MA in Theology with at least 80 quarter units (54 semester credits) from an accredited institution will need to complete the following:
- 48 units of coursework
- 4 units of New Testament Greek
- 8 Missional Ecclesiology Component
- Doctoral project
- Complete program within 8 years
MAGL Qualifies for the 64-unit DMin
Students who hold an MAGL degree with at least 72 quarter units (48-semester credits) from an accredited institution will need to complete the following:
- 44 units of coursework
- 4 units of New Testament Greek
- 16 units of coursework in theology and biblical studies through online DMin courses
- Doctoral project
- Complete program within 8 years
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to the DMin program must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a theological master’s degree (MDiv, MAT, or MAGL) from an accredited institution.
- Have a graduating GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
- Have three years of ministry experience after receiving their MDiv or MA degree.
- Be currently serving in a ministry leadership position. The DMin program is designed so that ministry leaders can earn their degrees while continuing to serve in their ministry context.
- Have one course in either NT Greek or OT Hebrew. Applicants who have not completed this requirement can complete an NT Greek course as part of the DMin program.
- 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 based on other programs completed; contact the DMin office for more information.
TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
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 $415/unit; this may rise incrementally every year at a rate of 2–5%. Approximate total tuition:
48-unit DMin program: $20,000
60-unit DMin program: $25,000
64-unit DMin program: $27,000
The Walt Gerber Scholarship Fund
Honoring the late distinguished pastor Walt Gerber and sustained through the generosity of an anonymous donor, we are able to offer the following scholarships:
NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Available to all DMin students, these scholarships are based on income and potentially cover 20–40% of tuition costs. Students are welcome to apply for the scholarship at least three months before the start of the specific class they are applying for.
MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Three merit based scholarships are awarded per year (for 4-12 units of tuition). Students must have successfully completed 12 units and have a 4.0 GPA to apply.
Continuing Education Options
- Richard Peace Lifelong Learner Program - Fuller Seminary 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.
Audit Options
To audit a DMin course you must:
Continue the Conversation
If you have questions or would like more information about Fuller’s DMin program, please contact our admissions counselor, Debi Yu.
1-800-999-9578