D.Min. Questions and Answers
Through Wesley Theological Seminary's online Doctor of Ministry program, your ongoing practice of ministry will be enhanced and expanded by outstanding faculty, diverse student cohorts, and unique educational tracks. Through interactive classes, engaging dialogue, and relevant thesis projects, you will be acquainted with current trends and issues in the theological disciplines, encouraged to integrate these theological disciplines in your practice of ministry, equipped to add to the church's knowledge about the practice of ministry, and provided with the opportunity to establish lasting collegial ties with other Doctor of Ministry students.
Course work takes place both on-line and face-to-face at a number of locations including Washington, D.C., Charleston, S.C., Cambridge, UK, and Asia.
A Doctor of Ministry track is a specialized program of study designed to meet the specific ministry needs and goals for a cohort of students. A cohort, or track, has a maximum of 20 students who share an interest in the particular area of study. Past and present tracks include Church Leadership Excellence; The Arts and Theology; Spirituality and Story; Soul Care, Chaplains, and Clinicians; Military Chaplains; Missional Evangelism; Cambridge; Public Engagement; Life Together: Spirituality for Transforming Community; Wesley and the Poor; Urban Ministry, Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue; Campus Ministries; Preaching for the 21st Century; and Spiritual Leadership for the Global Church: the Asian Track.
The Doctor of Ministry program normally requires 3½ years to complete. Students must complete the degree within 6 years.
Doctor of Ministry classes are offered on our campus during Intensive Terms in January and May. Each class is one week's duration, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Online core and elective courses are offered in the fall as well as study trips from time to time. Course schedules are available to view here.
Because the Doctor of Ministry program is designed for full-time pastors, classes are offered in one-week time periods: 2 weeks in January and 2 weeks in May for a total of 4 classes per year. Reading lists for courses are posted on Blackboard approximately 3 months before the intensive term. Students are expected to complete all reading and any pre-class assignments before the first day of class. A post-class assignment, generally a 15-20 page paper, is due 6 weeks after the end of the intensive term.
Online classes follow a different timeline and will be scheduled during the fall semester.
The Doctor of Ministry program requires 10 classes: 8 core classes, including Project Seminar, and 2 electives. Core classes are specific to each track. Elective credits may be earned through elective courses offered at Wesley during our Doctor of Ministry terms, online classes offered in the fall in the doctoral program, transfer of doctoral level credit from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, study trips -or courses- offered by Wesley Seminary, seminars at the G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership, or Washington Theological Consortium courses.
Students are required to take all 8 core classes in their track. Students may receive permission from the to use a core class from another track as one of their electives. Normally core classes are closed to students from other tracks; however, exceptions may be made with approval from the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.
Electives are open to all students, regardless of track. Students may also enroll in the Project Seminar with students from other tracks.
The Doctor of Ministry program will cost approximately $29,974 for tuition and fees.
- The program requires a total of 30 credit hours; each course is 3 credits. Tuition is $750 per credit hour.
- Student fees are $70 for each term.
- Students currently enrolled prior to 2017 will pay a $250.00 Readers Fee once their project has been approved by the Doctor of Ministry Committee. Students enrolled 2017 and after will pay for a course entitled DM-901 DMin Research at one credit hour each fall and spring semester after they have completed coursework and then writing the project paper.
- Maintaining Matriculation: Students who need to take a break from classes or writing due to a family emergency should first contact the Deans Office for permission. These students would then register for NC-001 to maintain matriculation in the program at $100 per semester.
View our tuition and financing page here.
Limited dormitory-style housing is available for Doctor of Ministry students during the January and May intensive terms. Students request housing during the DMin Housing Application Window for each term; rooms are then assigned on a first-come basis. The housing office will assist students with suggestions of other accommodations if necessary.
The DMin is an advanced professional doctorate that builds upon a masters degree and significant ministry experience. Most students will hold a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and must have completed 3 years of ministry experience prior to entering the Doctor of Ministry program. Previous academic achievement should reflect a grade point average of at least 3.0 or better at the graduate level.
Applicants without a Master of Divinity may be conditionally admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program. Such applicants must have a master’s degree in an area related to their field of ministry and at least five years of full-time ministry experience. Applicants should clearly articulate how they understand their ministerial identity and calling and how the Doctor of Ministry will enhance that ministry. Conditionally admitted students may be expected to complete additional coursework at the master’s level with at least a grade of B- in fields such as biblical interpretation or theology to ensure that they are well-versed in contemporary theological scholarship.
