Doctor of Ministry Degree

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Renew your calling to pastoral leadership through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program. The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctoral degree providing space for renewal, growth, companionship among peers, and rich dialogue with faculty.

The program follows a cohort model focused on specific themes of Christian spiritual formation or church leadership, facilitating peer relationships and shared leadership throughout the D.Min. journey. These focus areas allow the program to bring study and learning to bear on the student's particular ministry context. Twice a year, doctoral students come to our campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to connect in person with their cohort and study together.

Deepen the Meaning of Your Congregational Context

Students pursuing the D.Min. degree develop a habit of reading and study, conversation and reflection, and writing and rewriting that provides a pattern of deep theological engagement and invites renewed imagination for specialized ministry work. In this way, the Doctor of Ministry program allows you to step out of your congregational context to sift through new information and ideas, then step back in to discover how and why that learning matters.

The D.Min. degree program encourages you to engage the challenges, opportunities, and vocation of ministry through a systemic and sustained cubiculum involving disciplined study and reflection.

Why pursue a D.Min. degree?

doctor of ministry degree program cohort students
  • Is the work of ministry raising questions you never thought to ask in seminary?
  • Are you craving a deep learning community where you can develop practices that better equip you to serve God’s people?
  • Is there a revelation written on your heart that you need help from a community of care and learning to birth into reality?

 

Our Doctor of Ministry Program explores these deep questions as it fosters pastoral renewal, provides supportive community of fellow clergy, and offers the space to delve into an aspect of Christian theology and mission. The doctor degree is grounded in pastoral ministry concerns and pastoral leadership development, unlike a Ph.D. which is more focused on teaching and research. 

D.Min. Curriculum

The Doctor of Ministry degree program combines independent study alongside concentrated periods where students gather together on campus. Students enroll in cohorts centered on focus areas, allowing for deeper specialized study that follows their calling.

Classes generally meet in two-week blocks twice per year for 2.5 years. At the end of students' doctor coursework, they design and implement a project that engages their ministry context in conversation with our their academic studies. This emphasis on combining academic study and the practice of ministry is carried out through interactive teaching-learning styles in seminary courses.

The doctoral project at the culmination of the program's coursework is undertaken under the supervision of carefully selected faculty and provides an opportunity for candidates to explore in-depth an aspect of their ministry to which they seek to bring new light, knowledge, and imagination.

The D.Min. degree program is 36 credits and is to completed in three to four years. Explore Frequently Asked Questions about the Doctor of Ministry Program for more information.

 

Program Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry Program, students will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Integrate theological and scriptural knowledge with their cultural contexts.
  • Richly describe and analyze cultural contexts to recognize, frame, and respond to crucial issues arising in their ministry.
  • Develop enhanced leadership capacities oriented toward effective ministry.
  • Draw upon theological resources and practices to reinvigorate and deepen their vocational callings.
  • Participate in God's work of enacting racial justice by describing and resisting the in of racism.

“I had finished my schooling nearly twenty years before starting the DMin program at PTS. For me, this was a chance to reflect on years of ministry and to learn new ways of serving the church.” 

Lezley Stewart ‘18        

 

D.Min. Admissions and Financial Aid

The Doctor of Ministry Program is designed for students with a master's degree from an accredited institution. Application to the D.Min. degree cohorts are accepted on a continual basis. Review all admissions and application requirements for the D.Min. Program.

Explore the D.Min. total cost of attendance and the financial aid scholarship opportunities available to eligible students to learn more about the program's commitment to affordability.

To learn more about the admissions program or to schedule an in-person or virtual visit, e-mail or call 412-924-1365. As an added bonus, we'll waive the $60 application fee for all visitors.

Apply to the Doctor of Ministry Program

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Doctor of Ministry degree program centers on professional development for pastoral leadership and beyond. Combining in-person cohort meetings with independent study, our doctoral program is designed to rejuvenate your call and foster sustained theological exploration.

Due to the current structure of the program and F-1 Visa constraints, international students are only able to apply to the Eastern Christian and Reformed foci. Applicants from Canada are able to apply to all foci. Please reach out to dminadmissions@pts.edu for further questions about your eligibility. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Doctor of Ministry Program and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, request information below. Or apply now to reserve your space in our next cohort.

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