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Scholarship with a Shepherd’s Heart

BECOME A BETTER

SHEPHERD WITH THE

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

BECOME A BETTER SHEPHERD WITH THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

At Phoenix Seminary, we major in the majors of biblical studies and systematic theology, and our Doctor of Ministry reflects our commitment to training pastors and ministry leaders who know God’s word and who can apply it faithfully in ministry. Prepare with us for a more excellent, biblically and theologically robust ministry.

ABOUT THE D.MIN.

FACULTY

COURSEWORK

COST & FINANCIAL AID

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Introducing the New Phoenix Seminary D.Min.

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Biblically Focused

We believe that the word of God creates better practical ministry. Our D.Min. core curriculum focuses on taking you deeper in the text and in theology to help you build a more faithful ministry.

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Cohort Based

In the D.Min. program, you’ll learn, study, and fellowship alongside a group of like-minded shepherds through the duration of your degree. You’ll build a network of co-laborers who will push you, encourage you, and teach you beyond just your D.Min. courses.

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Practical

Our motto is scholarship with a shepherd's heart, and we take that seriously. This program is for mature and experienced ministers. Your course work, papers, and final project will help you answer practical questions directly related to your ministry context. 

Build a more theologically driven ministry under theologically driven mentors.

The D.Min. program at Phoenix Seminary features our residential faculty and will also include expert shepherds and scholars during your coursework.
Below are some of the professors you can expect to study with at Phoenix Seminary.
Check back later for updates on guest professors who will teach in the program.

Duby-web

Steve Duby, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
of Theology
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Peter Gentry, Ph.D.

Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament
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Peter Gurry, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
of New Testament
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John Meade, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
of Old Testament
Thigpen-web

J. Michael Thigpen, Ph.D.

Provost
Professor of Old Testament

Course Work

HOURS
-4
YEARS

Class Type

Cohort based including three trips to campus per year

Next Start Date

Summer 2022

Concentrations

Pastoral Leadership and Biblical and Theological Studies

Accreditation

ATS Commission on Accrediting and Higher Learning Commission

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VISIT CAMPUS

Advanced Exegesis (4 hours)

Building on master’s level work in exegesis, this course emphasizes the use of genre, literary analysis, and exegetical contextualization for robust exegesis for preaching and teaching. Special attention is given to difficult genre and text collections.

Advanced Systematic Theology (4 hours)

This course teaches theological method, contextualization, and theological assessment of and application to ministry contexts. Special attention is given to contemporary theological issues and to neglected aspects of classical theology.

Advanced Homiletics (4 hours)

Building on the student’s past education and experience, this course focuses on building depth and clarity in preaching. Extensive attention is given to preaching the various genre of Scripture as well as the rigorous process of contextualization and application.

Biblical Theology (4 hours)

Building on exegesis and systematic theology basics, this course explores biblical theology method, the relationship between biblical theology, systematic theology, and exegesis, and concentrates on the application of biblical theology to ministry.  

Each D.Min. cohort features two courses that allow for specialization in an area of study. Below is an example of a concentration course for the pastoral leadership cohort beginning in the fall of 2021.

Example: Effective Pastoral Leadership (4 hours)

This 4 hour class is designed to help each student to better understand his/her own spiritual life, giftedness and calling to pastoral leadership. It will focus on improving leadership skills and building strong leadership teams. Students will learn principles of servant leadership and examine how to apply those principles in the local church or other ministry settings.

The doctoral project is designed to involve the student in practical ministry research. The project allows the student to select a specific aspect of ministry to build or strengthen with robust biblical theological analysis, contextualization, and leadership. The subject, length and form of the project are determined by the director of the D.Min. program and the project supervisor. Prerequisites: Successful completion of the 16 hours of core courses and 8 hours of concentration course, and approval of the topic by the director of the D.Min. program and the project supervisor.

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Phoenix Seminary provided me with all the tools that I needed to be effective in ministry. You’re getting a level of input, expertise, and personal attention that you’re just not going to get otherwise.

Jason Fritz, D.Min. alumnus

Pastor of Illuminate Community Church

Additional Information

COST & FINANCIAL AID

Tuition $500 per credit hour  | $100 registration fee each semester 

Estimated total program cost: $15,400 

Phoenix Seminary offers several scholarships, including the Shepherd’s Scholarship (25% off tuition) specifically for D.Min. students. Phoenix Seminary will also match up to 10% of a church’s contribution to a student’s education. Click here for more information about scholarships.  

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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Click here to view the application checklist for the D.Min. program.

The ideal preparation for the Doctor of Ministry program is an earned M.Div. from an accredited institution with at least 12 hours of Hebrew and/or Greek and 3-5 years of ministry experience after the completion of the M.Div.

 

Applicants must have:

  • An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (Students who do not meet this requirement may still be considered for the program.)
  • An earned M.Div. from an accredited institution with a minimum of 6 hours of biblical language study and a GPA of 3.0 or better.
  • Applicants without the M.Div. who hold an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, successful applicants will have a minimum of 48 hours of graduate coursework in the areas of biblical, theological, and ministry studies.

 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

  • The ability to thoughtful interpret scripture and the theological tradition of one’s ministry context
  • The capacity to understand and adapt one’s ministry to the cultural context
  • A basic self-understanding of one’s ministerial identity and vocational calling
  • A readiness to engage in ongoing personal and spiritual formation for one’s ministry
  • An accredited master’s degree related to one’s ministry setting or vocational calling
  • Significant ministry experience, including experience past the awarding of the qualifying masters degree

 

Ministry experience is considered on a case-by-case basis. We typically look for at least 3 years of significant ministry experience in church or para-church settings. Significant part-time, full-time, paid and unpaid ministry leadership experience may all be considered in the assessment of ministry experience.

TRAVEL & COURSE DATES

D.Min. courses are offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The first course, Effective Pastoral Leadership, will be offered this fall (October 4-8). Future courses and dates will be published as soon as they’re made available.

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OUTCOMES

Upon successfully completion of the DMin, the student will: 

  • Demonstrate advanced theological acumen, in order to critically engage the ministry context with rigorous theological analysis 
  • Be able to devise biblical-theological responses to ministry issues that illustrate the ability to identify, frame, and respond with robust contextual awareness
  • Have appraised his or her leadership capacity and developed a plan of growth for leadership and the development of leaders in the local ministry context 
  • Value personal and spiritual maturity through self-assessment and reflection on how vocational calling might be deepened through a process of personal and spiritual development

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Fill out the form below and one of our enrollment counselors will contact you about our Doctor of Ministry program.

Begin Your Seminary Adventure

Join a community of students and leaders on a path to change this world through
His Word, His Heart and His Church.
For More Information
Apply Today
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Non-Discrimination Policy

Phoenix Seminary does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, disability, or age. Phoenix Seminary admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, disability, or age in administration of its educational policies, school-administered programs, student admissions, financial aid, or employment.