Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Online Doctor of Ministry degree at South University offers both a Standard Track and Advanced Track option. The program helps to develop a student’s understanding of the nature and purpose of ministry, enhance the student’s competencies in ministry skills, and promote the student’s growth in spiritual maturity. Foundational courses provide an introduction and overview to the various disciplines required for effective ministry leadership. Ministry skills courses, advanced ministry studies courses, and the final project further integrates biblical and theological perspectives into the practice of ministry. Students will also gain lifelong learning skills that will enable them to continue their personal, intellectual and professional growth.
Take Your Ministry to a Higher Level
Program Tracks
Standard Track: If you have a bachelor’s degree and you’re just getting started in the ministry, the online DMin program’s Standard Track may be right for you. You’ll start with foundational courses that introduce you to the various disciplines required for effective ministry leadership. Then, through ministry skills courses, advanced ministry studies, and a final project, you’ll explore and refine techniques for integrating biblical and theological perspectives into your practice of ministry.
Advanced Track: If you’re already active in the ministry and have completed a related graduate degree or significant coursework in biblical, theological, and ministry studies, you may be eligible to earn your doctorate in less time with the online DMin program’s Advanced Track. In this track, you’ll take a shorter path through the ministry study and skills courses, eventually tackling your final project before completing your degree.
Transfer credit is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. South University offers no guarantee that credit earned at another institution will be accepted into a program of study offered by South University.
Course Requirements
Or
Or
Choose four additional courses from the following:
Dissertation
Or
Ministry Project
Or
Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education
*Opportunities to pursue Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) are a unique feature of the D.Min. program. CPE Level I or Level II fulfills the ministry practicum requirement; students who have completed CPE Level II (4 credit hours) may elect to use Supervisory CPE for their final project if they have been accepted into a supervisory clinical pastoral education program.
Advanced standing credit is determined based on student's previous college work providing 56 credit hours of transfer credit.
Electives
Choose two electives from the following:
Dissertation
OR
Ministry Project
Or
Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education
*Opportunities to pursue Clinical Pastoral Education are a unique feature of the D.Min. program. CPE Level 1 or Level 2 fulfills the ministry practicum requirement; students who have completed CPE Level 2 (4 units) may elect to use Supervisory CPE for their final project if they have been accepted into a program.
This online program may not be available to residents of all states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
Admission Requirements
Please see the South University academic catalog for program specific admissions requirements.Outcomes
The DMin program will prepare ministry professionals who, using leadership and collaboration, will:
- Articulate a biblically informed and theologically reasoned understanding of the helping relationship that are consistent with the student’s faith tradition and the needs of the student’s chosen ministry setting.
- Explain the nature of the ministry setting and exhibit a commitment to its ethical and professional expectations.
- Display knowledge of the nature and causes of interpersonal conflict and strategies to resolve disputes and achieve resolution and reconciliation among parties in ministry settings.
- Formulate an awareness of the diversity found in ministry, and an ability to work effectively with differences of religious beliefs (or none), denominational differences, racial and ethnic differences, and gender differences.
- Acquire the specific skills required for competent practice of ministry in a variety of settings.
Career Outlook
The online DMin program equips you to offer leadership and spiritual care in the following roles:
- Pastors, ministry staff, and lay ministers in local churches/parishes.
- Program staff leaders in parachurch organizations.
- Chaplains and spiritual care coordinators in a variety of institutional settings.
- Program staff leaders in non-profit service agencies, community development, advocacy and justice ministries.
- Social entrepreneurs pursuing business as mission, and commercial and industrial chaplaincy.
Online Classroom
Haven’t experienced online learning before or wondering what it’s like to earn your degree online at South University? While the mode of learning is different from the traditional classroom experience with added convenience and flexibility, we hold the same high standards of academic excellence in the online classroom.
South University’s online programs combine a curriculum designed for student outcomes and a classroom designed for flexibility and engagement. Our online classroom learning platform, Brightspace, provides you with a host of features to enhance your learning experience, including:
- Advanced media content
- Personalized navigation
- Simplified online learning atmosphere
- Access to digital books
- Emailing and instant messaging options
We provide more than just an online classroom, bringing a range of campus experiences and services online. In addition, the online classroom is accessible on the go via mobile devices and with tools like the Pulse App. Pulse helps you stay connected and on track with your course by providing a number of features such as course calendars, readings and assignments, feedback and grades, and announcements.
Read more about online requirements here.
