Library: Academic Catalog: Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is an advanced professional degree for religious professionals that deepens students’ faith leadership in traditional and innovative ministry settings, including congregational ministry, community ministry, social justice and advocacy ministries, entrepreneurial ministries, chaplaincy, and teaching roles. Coursework and reflection on lived leadership experience provide grounding points for the development of doctoral research and a thesis attentive to lived questions of theology and praxis informed by interdisciplinary resources.

DMin Outcomes

Generate original research to identify challenges in the practice of ministry, develop a coherent and faithful response, and critically reflect on social justice faith leadership. 
Utilize a variety of theological methods and leadership praxes in engagement with diverse faith settings. 
Grow the practice of ministry through contextual analysis of diverse faith settings and community-engaged research and reflection.
Develop the skills to support continued personal, vocational, and spiritual growth.

DMin Curriculum

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is a 30-credit hour advanced professional degree that can be completed in three (3) years. It is designed to support and renew the leadership and ministry of religious professionals. Small, tightly woven student cohorts are led by faculty mentors who engage as a community of learners. Students meet once per week for the duration of their program, including their 3rd year of research and writing. The one exception is the elective course in which students choose from a variety of courses offered through Meadville Lombard or the ACTS Consortium in Spring or Summer of their second year. Students take two classes per semester during their first and second years; classes meet synchronously on alternating weeks. Students are required to attend an annual intercohort retreat. Students must hold a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent and have three years of ministerial experience (ordained or lay) prior to application and matriculation.

Students may transfer up to 6 doctoral credits from another institution. Such transfer credit is subject to approval in compliance with the transfer credit policy as published in the Student Handbook.

DMin Degree Requirements
	Credits
Core Requirements	21
Advanced Methods in Leadership & Ministry	3
Spirituality for Social Change	3
Political Theology & Social Ethics	3
Social Justice Leadership	3
Theories of Liberation	3
Research Methods & Ethics	3
Leadership & Ministry Research Colloquy	3
Elective	3
Thesis	6
Supervised Thesis Research I	3
Supervised Thesis Research II	3
*Total Credits*	30

Research with Human Subjects

Meadville Lombard Doctor of Ministry students may often engage in research with human subjects, particularly as they conduct research for their DMin Thesis Project. DMin students are required to submit an exemption or full proposal to the Institutional Review Board before beginning any research with human subjects. In addition, DMin students applying for IRB approval are required to have completed CITI training regarding history, ethics, and best practices in research with human subjects. Please see DMin Project Proposal and Guidelines for detailed information regarding IRB applications and procedures.