Offered at Montgomery, Richmond, and Online Programs. 

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The Doctor of Ministry degree at South University is a 96 credit hour program and is designed to be the first-professional degree to prepare ministry practitioners to seek or advance in vocational or bi-vocational ministry.  The program can help 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.

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program at South University is designed to equip ministry practitioners to provide ministry 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

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

1. Articulate a biblically informed and theologically reasoned understanding of the helping relationship that is consistent with the student’s faith tradition and the needs of the student’s chosen ministry setting.
2. Explain the nature of the practice of ministry and exhibit a commitment to its ethical and professional expectations appropriate to the context.
3. 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.
4. 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, generational differences and gender differences.
5. Acquire the specific skills required for competent practice of ministry in a variety of settings.
6. Engage complex issues and problems of ministry settings and demonstrate the capacity to design and implement strategies to successfully overcome and/or resolve them.

The Standard Track of the D.Min. program is designed for students seeking to prepare for vocational or bi-vocational ministry.  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 integrate biblical and theological perspectives into the practice of ministry.  Students can have the opportunity to gain lifelong learning skills that will enable them to continue their personal, intellectual and professional growth.

The Advanced Track of the D.Min. program is designed for students who have completed a graduate degree or a significant amount of coursework in biblical, theological, and ministry studies, and who are currently engaged in vocational ministry.  Students in the Advanced Ministry Study can further develop their understanding of the nature and purpose of ministry, enhance their ministry skills, and continue their growth in spiritual maturity.