The Doctor of Ministry

Designed as a flexible program for those already active in ministry, the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is an advanced professional degree for those in the ordained ministry of the Church. It presupposes both the completion of a first professional degree in theology and experience in a field of full-time ministry. It provides a discipline through which active pastors can reflect critically on their ministries and further develop professional skills. Because of the professional nature of the program, the active partnership of supporting synods or other judicatories is valued.

The candidate for this degree is expected to demonstrate achievement at a level significantly beyond the expectations of first-degree programs with respect to four goals:

• To develop an advanced understanding and integration of ministry in relation to theological disciplines;
• To formulate a comprehensive and critical understanding of ministry in which theory and practice inform and enhance each other;
• To develop skills and competencies and appropriate research methods that are required for pastoral leadership at the most mature and effective level;
• To contribute to the understanding and practice of ministry through the completion of a doctoral-level project in ministry.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the standard application elements listed in the catalog, admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree program requires the following: Master of Divinity degree or another master's degree in a theological discipline earned in a program that requires at least 90 semester hours or the equivalent. A cumulative grade-point average in the master's level program of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A minimum of three years in the professional ministry of the Church after receiving the MDiv degree or its equivalent.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The DMin program is constituted by a Learning Contract negotiated between the candidate and the seminary. This contract varies according to the context and the goals of each candidate. A supervisory committee, appointed by the Faculty, assists and directs the candidate in preparing the contract and fulfilling it. The following elements are part of the contract: (a) 50 hours in colloquia with peers and faculty members; (b) eight courses; (c) supervised training and other learning situations; and (d) an independent project in which the candidate devotes intensive study to some task or issue in his/her ministry. To be in good standing, a student must maintain an overall grade-point average of not less than 3.0.

TRANSFER CREDITS AND ADVANCED STANDING

As many as three of the eight courses required may be satisfied by transfer credit.  Credit for up to two courses may be given by "advanced standing," a category of credit awarded by the Faculty upon recomendation of the student's DMin committee.  However, the total of transfer credit and "advanced standing" cannot exceed three courses.  Transfer credit will represent academic work completed for credit at another accredited institution; "advanced standing" may be based on structured study without formal academic credit, usually augmented by a document of critical reflection. Up to four courses completed at the other seminaries of the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries, however will be accepted for transfer credit.  (View the Cluster DMin brochure)

CANDIDACY

A student's participation in the program is provisional until the achievement of candidacy, which may be granted upon the completion of four courses with a 3.0 average and satisfaction of the other candidacy requirements specified in the DMin Manual. Approval for candidacy is by the Faculty upon the recommendation of the student's DMin committee.

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

Normally, participation in the DMin program is part-time only, given the requirement of concurrent full-time active ministry. Because of the program's focus on growth in ministry, it is intended that students take sufficient time for self-assessment and reflection. Consequently, a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years are limitations for completing the program. Completed courses normally cease to be applicable to the degree after ten years.

FOCI

The DMin student must choose a focus within a field of ministry or an area of concentration. A focus can be a chosen area of ministry (e.g., urban ministry, evangelism, preaching, worship, counseling, Christian education, communication, Black Church studies, etc.) to which some of the student's courses and the final project pertain. The program also allows for special foci that may include resources beyond the LTSP Faculty. A focus in Town and Country Ministry may include graduate course credits earned at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The Center for Spirituality at Chestnut Hill College offers a variety of graduate courses in spirituality. Moravian Seminary and other graduate institutions in the Delaware Valley provide additional offerings in pastoral care.

DMin Military Chaplains

LTSP offers U.S. Military Chaplains (active and reserve) flexible opportunities to pursue their DMin while engaged in service. (We currently have a number of military chaplains from several brances of the Service already active in the program.) See the "LTSP DMin U.S. Military Prospectus" for further information.