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The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the psychology of religion, church growth, church administration, homiletics, or spiritual formation. Under Association of Theological Schools (ATS) guidelines, one needs to have completed the equivalent of 3 years of full-time ministry after the initial theological degree, normally the Master of Divinity (M.Div.). If the initial theological degree is not equivalent to the M.Div., preliminary coursework may be required before entering a D.Min. program.

The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry degree is to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the MDiv degree and have engaged in ministerial leadership. [1]

The DMin program requires the equivalent of usually two years of academic study and, in addition, the completion of the doctoral disseration or project. Normally, the degree shall require not less than three nor more than six years to complete.

The D.Min. differs from the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Religion or Religious Studies in that the focus is on application-oriented research. Thus, while the PhD and ThD is granted upon the successful completion of a dissertation that makes an original contribution or synthesis to a discrete field of theoretical knowledge, the D.Min. is granted upon the successful completion of a dissertation based upon actual applied ministry. Thus, the focus of research is in different areas. The Ph.D. and Th.D. degrees are in specific niche studies in new areas and the dissertation contributes something new academically, where the D.Min. is research based on the actual application and practice of ministry.

The D.Min degree is designed for working clergy, and most D.Min. programs are structured to allow for part time study by priests/pastors, missionaries, and denominational leaders who are practicing ministry. Conversely, the Th.D. is considered academically oriented with theological research and language studies. The Doctor of Practical Theology degree (Th.P.D., D.Th.P.) preceded the D.Min. and represents advanced study with a concentration or major in one of several areas of applied theology (listed above). The origins of the degree are European, and it is still offered by seminary and divinity schools in the U.S., France, the U.K., and Canada.

• ATS Degree Standards