Doctor of Ministry, DMin

Purpose and Objectives:

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree offers professional ministers the opportunity to reflect on their practice of leadership from diverse strategic perspectives. It challenges practitioners from a variety of ministry contexts to grow in their own spiritual maturity, strengthen their personal and professional ethics, and develop a biblical approach to their practice of leadership.

The objectives of the Doctor of Ministry degree will enable students to: 

• Formulate a plan for continuing growth in leadership.   
• Develop a theologically-grounded personal and professional ethic for leadership in ministry. 
• Implement an approach to leadership that embraces multicultural and global perspectives.  
• Assess the effectiveness and theological soundness of leadership practice using a case study research method.  

Achievement of these objectives will be evaluated through course work and the production and defense of the student’s capstone project (approximately 25,000 - 35,000 words), which they will write in stages throughout their studies. Students may focus their research in any of the areas of ministry in which they are engaged.

Admission Requirements:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Statement of Faith.
• Official transcript for highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the most recent degree earned and completion of a graduate-level theological degree (M.A. or M.Div.) from an accredited institution. 
  • Students whose GPA falls between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a conditional basis if they submit their requests in writing accompanied by an appropriate rationale.
• Church Leader Reference
• Essay (800 words total)
• Applicants need to give evidence of at least three years of full-time ministry experience in a leadership role or similar capacity, preferably after completing the MDiv or equivalent education and ministry experience.

Residency and Transfer Policies:

The program is non-residential, and students are not required to study in residence. All seminars are delivered online. A student may transfer in up to 8 hours, if he/she can demonstrate completion of the equivalent of MIN 9440, MIN 9441, or  MIN 9442  from an accredited doctoral program.

Time Limitation:

The time limit for completing the program is seven years, dating from the student’s first seminar and concluding with capstone project defense and graduation. The program is designed so that students should be able to complete their degree in three years. If a full-time student does not defend the dissertation by the end of the third year, the student will pay a continuation fee for each semester he/she remains in the program.

Completion Requirements:

• Successful completion of all courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Successful oral defense of the applied research project of approximately 25,000-35,000 words before a committee of three faculty readers.

• Affirmation of CIU’s Statement of Faith.