Doctor Of Ministry Degree (D.Min.)

The Doctor of Ministry degree program is an advanced degree program for experienced church leaders, which allows them to make the most of a sabbatical taken during the fall semester, when faculty and other students at both schools are present to enrich that experience.

CDSP offers the D.Min. in cluster with its neighboring seminary, the Pacific School of Religion. This program provides a structure that allows students to:

  • reflect on special gifts and interests in ministry;
  • identify critical issues in ministry and vocation;
  • deepen understanding of one's ministry by placing it in a larger context through systematic, biblical, theological, historical, and pastoral study in the Graduate Theological Union (GTU);
  • undertake a research project to explore interests and develop gifts in particular ministry settings; and
  • broaden exposure to others' ministries by interacting with peers and faculty in a collegial setting.

Summary of Requirements

This program requires 24 units of coursework, the equivalent of a full academic year of work (eight three-unit courses). One semester of residence is required. The typical D.Min. is completed in three to four years with an outside limit of six years.

Degree Requirements

Courses taken at CDSP/GTU: The Residence Requirement (12 units):
  • 1 semester (14 weeks) in residence of full-time study (4 three-unit courses). Commuting students may meet this requirement by extending their study over a one-year period, taking 2 courses a semester.
  • 1 D.Min. Seminar, which counts for 1 of the 4 courses required above.
Other Requirements (12 units):
  • 2 more three-unit courses; one of these may be taken in another institution; the other may be taken at a distance, supervised by a CDSP/GTU faculty member.
  • An integrative review, normally done after six courses have been completed, in which the student demonstrates the integration of coursework with ministry, and in which the student develops the research project proposal.
  • 2 three-unit D.Min. Thesis courses, during which the research for the D.Min. project is carried out at the student's ministry site, and the thesis or report is written.
  • Oral review with D.Min. committee members of the final thesis or project.
  • Tuition for the program beginning during the 2012-2013 academic year is $540 per unit
  • D.Min. Supervision fee: $50 per semester D.Min. Extension fee: $200 per semester

See admission requirements.

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