Program Mission Statement

The Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) is a professional doctoral degree. The degree differs significantly from the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in that the latter is primarily a research degree with a lesser focus on practical issues in ministry. The D. Min. program guides students in seeking understanding not for its own sake, but rather for practical ends. Therefore, the contribution is primarily to the practice of ministry. The degree program will be appropriate for students with experience in ministry who desire to hone their skills in ministry.

Program Overview - 21st Century Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry is a 35-hour degree program delivered through a hybrid approach, involving independent, seated, and online study. The D. Min. in 21^st Century Ministry requires:

Four Applied (Online) Seminars	12 hrs.
Four Residential Seminars	12 hrs.
Project Methodology Workshop	2 hrs.
Ministry Project	9 hrs.
Total Hours	35 hrs.

Applied (Online) Seminars

Applied seminars meet in at least four two-hour asynchronous online sessions during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. Online meeting times and duration of sessions will be determined by the individual instructor. In addition to the synchronous online sessions, students will meet on-campus for one day during the semester. The on-campus meeting of the applied seminars will coincide with the on-campus meeting of the residential seminars for that semester.  The seminars are coordinated so that students taking applied and residential seminars in a semester can come to campus for one week, with one day spent on the applied seminar and four days on the residential seminar. 

Residential Seminars

Residential seminars will meet on-campus for weeklong (4-day) intensive seminars during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. Students will receive reading and assignment lists at the beginning of the semester in preparation for the intensive seminars. The on-campus meeting of the applied seminars will coincide with the on-campus meeting of the residential seminars for that semester.  The seminars are coordinated so that students taking applied and residential seminars in a semester can come to campus for one week, with one day spent on the applied seminar and four days on the residential seminar.

Project Methodology Workshop (CHR 690)

This workshop is aimed at preparing students for their Ministry Project. It is a two-day workshop that communicates to students the expectations for the Ministry Project. The workshop provides students with insight into the kind of research and writing that will be required in the Ministry Project.

Ministry Project (CHR 695)

Each student must implement (in action) and evaluate (in writing) a significant ministry project in the field of preaching designed to enhance the student’s understanding and practice of ministry. (See next section for further details).

Sequence

There is no prescribed sequence for courses in the D. Min. in 21^st Century Ministry program except that the student takes the project seminar after CHR 690. 

Seminars

All seminars are 3-credit hours.

• CHR 650 - Ministry and Contemporary Church Models - Students will explore the biblical and theological foundation of the local church and the changing nature and shape of the local church in the 21^st century.
• CHR 651 - Engaging Generational Change in Contemporary Ministry - Students will explore the significant generational change taking place in contemporary American culture and the implications of such change for ministry.
• CHR 652 - Leadership in the Contemporary Ministry Setting - Students will explore the philosophy and practice of leadership in ministry, with particular emphasis on the changing nature of leadership in a shifting 21^st Century culture.
• CHR 653 - Ministry in a Multi-Ethnic Setting - Students will explore the ethnic and demographic characteristics of Ameican society and how the church can effectively engage such change through intentional multiethnic approaches to ministry.
• CHR 654 - Next Generation Ministry - Students will explore ministry to next generation audiences (children, youth and students) in the midst of significant cultural change.
• CHR 655 - The Changing Face of Missions - Students will explore trends impacting global missions with a focus on cultivating effective strategies for Great Commission ministry.
• CHR 656 - Evangelism in a Post-Christian World - Students will explore trends influencing evangelism in the post-Christian Western world. 
• CHR 671 - The Broadus Lectures on Preaching - Students will explore trends in preaching, specifically trends in exposition in a shifting 21^st Century culture.

Additional seminars will be developed as needed to offer students a variety of options. 

Faculty

Dr. Michael Duduit, Dean of the College of Christian Studies & Professor of Christian Ministry

Dr. Kristopher Barnett, Associate Dean, Clamp Divinity School & Associate Professor of Christian Ministry

Dr. Charles Fuller, Associate Professor of Christian Studies

Dr. Tim McKnight, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies

Dr. James Noble, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry

Dr. Ben Brammer, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies

Admission

Anderson University accepts students on the basis of academic qualification, character and evidence of the potential to benefit from the university experience. Each applicant’s record will be examined for evidence reflecting potential for intellectual and social growth, strength of character, and seriousness of purpose. The University considers all qualified applications without regard to race, place of national origin, sex, disability, or ethnic group. Admission will be on a competitive basis, with the best qualified students receiving priority.

Applicants are required to provide the pertinent admission information in order to be considered for admission into the D. Min. program. The D. Min. Admission Committee will make final decisions regarding the acceptance of applicants. In some cases, the committee may ask for further information or a personal interview prior to a decision regarding admission into the program. All applicants are required to pay a $40 non-refundable application fee.

Applicants for admission into the D. Min. program at Anderson University must meet the following academic prerequisites:

A. Academic Prerequisites

1. A Master of Ministry or Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent).
2. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA slightly below the minimum requirement may be admitted on a probationary status.
3. Official transcripts from all baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
4. An academic recommendation. The recommendation should be from a former professor or someone who can vouch for the applicant’s academic ability.

B. Professional Prerequisites

1. A minimum three years of experience in a ministry vocation.
2. A professional recommendation from someone that can speak specifically about the applicant’s abilities as a minister.

C. Personal Prerequisites

1. An essay explaining the reason for your application and the potential impact of the D.Min. degree on your ministry. The purpose of the essay is to establish the applicant’s motivation for pursuing the degree and the applicant’s professional goals.
2. A five-hundred-word essay that explores the following question:  What is the most important issue or trend facing the church in the 21^st Century?
3. A personal recommendation.
4. If one of the previous recommendations provided is not from the applicant’s pastor, there must be a recommendation of the applicant on behalf of the church in which the applicant is a member.

Transfer hours

A student can transfer up to nine hours into the DMin program.  The Dean and Associate Dean will determine transferability of hours based on equivalence to courses required in the D.Min. program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Tuition for the Doctor of Ministry is $12,480. Students pay $480 per credit hour for the first 26 hours they complete in the program.  After the student completes 26 hours, additional courses are not billed, unless the student exceeds the time limit on their project.

Students can register for the project seminar for four consecutive semesters before they incur additional fees. Beginning with the fifth semester, students will pay $600 per semester to continue in the program. 

Textbooks, lodging, food, travel, and graduation costs are not included in the tuition fees.

All fees are subject to change. Any subsequent changes will be announced separately. Application fee is waived for Anderson University graduates.

Graduate School Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office is committed to helping students find appropriate ways to finance their education.  Students can receive private loans to help pay for the cost of the program.  The Financial Aid Office can provide instructions for receiving these loans.

The University does not currently provide institutional scholarships for graduate students. A variety of private scholarships are available for students preparing for ministry, and D.Min. students are encouraged to apply for such aid.

For more information regarding financial aid, please call the Financial Aid Planning Office at 864-231-2020.