Doctor of Ministry

Flexible. Personal. Transformational.

Imagine growing in pastoral wisdom to elevate your leadership impact.

The Doctor of Ministry program is designed to help ministry practitioners develop ministerial skills and understanding to the fullest extent in congregational, parachurch, or missionary service. It is not a research nor an academic degree intended for those seeking a career in academic teaching; instead, it integrates active ministry, academic work, and disciplined reflection under the guidance of a mentor and in company with ministerial colleagues.

Three-year cohorts are designed around important themes, and new cohorts are introduced each year. Once committed to a specific theme, the cohort of students journeys with their mentors, engaging in a curriculum designed for that particular area of ministry. 

REFORMED

Ministry Focused

FORMATIONAL

3 Years to Finish

MISSIONAL

Affordable

What makes the DMin at WTS Unique?

COMMUNITY FOCUS

The Doctor of Ministry at WTS is provided within the context of a cohort of 12-20 students. Cohort students engaging in a common theme develop deep bonds of learning, friendship, and mutual support.

These relationships create a network of accountability and care that surrounds each student throughout the three-year degree and beyond.

WHAT MAKES THE DMIN AT WTS UNIQUE?

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Each participant researches a topic born out of a passion and interest, as well as their unique context. They will research their particular issue and address it, seeking guidance and thoughtful refinements from members of their cohort.

The program concludes with the successful completion of a thesis project, presented and defended before the faculty advisor as well as an internal and external reader. 

All phases of the program are outlined in the Doctor of Ministry reference guide.

WHAT MAKES THE DMIN AT WTS UNIQUE?

PERSONAL ATTENTION

Participants work with a faculty mentor who is a proven and experienced scholar-practitioner in his/her field. The faculty mentor guides a process that includes engagement with key readings and resources, identification of a topic, research design and implementation, thesis-writing, and defense.

Secondary mentors are chosen with the help and approval of the primary mentor and serve as key conversation partners in research and writing.

OPEN COHORTS

Three-year cohorts are designed around important themes such as pastoral care and counseling, preaching, disability and ministry, pastoral leadership, etc.

New cohorts are introduced each year. Click on the icon below to learn more about the cohort.

Spiritual Formation & Relational Neuroscience 2

APPLY BY MARCH 1, 2025

Bonhoeffer for the Contemporary Church

APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the application requirements?

The DMin Committee of Western Theological Seminary grants admission to the program. The minimal requirements are:

  • A Master’s degree or its equivalent* in an area related to one’s ministry setting or vocational calling.
  • At least three years of vocational experience in one’s area of study and a clear alignment with the focus of the D.Min. cohort.
  • A capacity for theological and cultural reflection, strong self-awareness, and a commitment to one’s own continued spiritual formation.

 *In consultation with ATS, WTS defines equivalency in terms of

1) equivalent degrees for international students and

2) students who have completed more than 1/2 of their credits toward a Master of Divinity degree. Any exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis, and could include factors like:

  • being admitted on a probationary status for the first-year of the program until the requisite graduate coursework is completed (if the coursework isn’t completed within the first year, the student cannot continue in the program)
  • graduate coursework in another area of study that can be shown to be relevant to the cohort focus
  • other experiences which may be deemed significant to offset the three-year requirement

What is the cost of a DMIN at WTS?

Tuition is locked at the rate of first-year tuition for the duration of the program, with an annual continuation fee of $750 per year after the first three years of the program.

Travel, accommodations for seminars, and books are not included in the tuition cost and will vary by cohort. 

VIEW CURRENT TUITION RATES >

How big are the DMin Cohorts?

Expected cohort size is 12 – 25 students. 

How often will I meet with my cohort?

Participants will travel to meet with peers and faculty for cohort seminars 1-2 times per year depending on cohort need (maximum 2 weeks/year for each of the three years). Seminar locations and focus are unique to each cohort theme and may be in Holland, MI, or in other locations as decided by cohort and/or cohort leader.

During the seminar, cohort members will discuss the challenges and opportunities within their own ministry contexts, learn from each other, and provide expertise and research when they discover helpful content for a fellow student.

In between seminars, participants engage with each other virtually and communicate regularly with their faculty mentor. Mutual encouragement and regular engagement are crucial for growth, motivation, and shared learning.

What will I learn as a DMIN student?

Each participant researches a topic born out of a passion and interest, as well as his/her unique context or ecclesial concern. Students will identify a barrier, challenge or opportunity in their ministry and read broadly within the research area of their cohort theme. They will research their particular issue and address it, seeking guidance and thoughtful refinements from members of their cohort.  Along the way, the participant is encouraged to grow on four levels:

  • Who you are as a person (emotional and psychological formation)
  • Who you are as a child of God (spiritual formation)
  • What you do (skills for ecclesial formation)
  • What you know (intellectual formation)

The program concludes with the successful completion of a thesis project, presented and defended before the faculty advisor as well as an internal and external reader. The project is shaped by the various components of the three-year program and should demonstrate competencies in theological reflection, church leadership, cultural discernment, and pastoral wisdom.

All phases of the program are outlined in detail in the DMIN Reference Guide.

Western Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the State of Michigan.

What is the DMIN Curriculum Sequence?

DM850 Orientation Seminar 1
Gives an introduction to the program’s major administrative and academic components and the specialized track (theme) that identifies the particular focus of the cohort. Course descriptions vary depending on the faculty and cohort topic. The course description will be available in the syllabus. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM851 Orientation Seminar 2
A continuation of DM850. Students identify a challenge, opportunity, or topic that needs to be addressed in their ministry setting. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM860 Research Seminar 1
Provides tools and skills to develop and strengthen academic research and writing. Students learn to structure and format an academic professional paper, providing a model for their project proposal and guidance for their practicum. Students will critically reflect on the practices of ministry and learn to interpret those practices within an academic theological framework. Course descriptions vary depending on the faculty and cohort topic. The course description will be available in the syllabus. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM861 Research Seminar 2
A continuation of DM860. Students determine what needs to be changed or achieved in their ministry to address the challenge, opportunity, or topic they have identified. Students design a thesis project proposal. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM870 Thesis Seminar 1
Equips students with tools required for the completion of their D.Min. thesis. Course descriptions vary depending on the faculty and topic. The course description will be available in the syllabus. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM871 Thesis Seminar 2
A continuation of DM860. Includes a one-week in-person seminar (some professors may combine the seminars into two consecutive weeks per year). 6 credits

DM940 Thesis Project
The student demonstrates his or her ability to design and conduct a biblically and theologically grounded project supported by the literature and relevant to the practice of ministry.

Students write a five-chapter scholarly paper that introduces, develops, and assesses the effectiveness of the project. The various chapters focus on the need and rationale for the project, the biblical and theological texts/ theories that undergird the project, the issue the project addresses, and the results of what they learned following the completion of the project.

The doctoral project phase of the D.Min. program takes an additional year to complete. It concludes with the presentation and defense of the thesis project before the faculty advisor and project readers.  0 credits

What if I can't finish in 3 years?

Each cohort begins at a different time in the calendar year. Candidates are expected to complete six seminar courses. Each semester’s course includes a one-week seminar meeting face-to face either in Holland, MI or another location. (Some professors may choose to combine the one-week seminars into two consecutive weeks each year).

Students are expected to complete the courses in three years along with their cohort. One additional year is given for completion of their thesis project. The degree is granted when a student has successfully completed the core curriculum of 36 credits plus the thesis project.

Questions?

We are here to help!

Admissions Team

Here to guide you through the admissions process

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Drew Brown

Director of Admissions

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Anna La Rosa

Admissions Administrator

Program Leadership

Providing leadership and administrative support to applying, admitted and existing students.

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Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality