Doctor of Ministry

Deerfield, IL | Seoul, Korea

The TEDS Doctor of Ministry program invites men and women to step deeper into developing advanced ministry skills. It emphasizes continuous spiritual growth and formation, devotion to Christ, and the ability to think biblically and strategically about the issues facing our community and world.  Our DMin Degree is:

• Theologically grounded
• Specific to your ministry
• Affordable
• Research-based
• Academically rigorous
• Committed to gospel fidelity 
• Taught by leading faculty and missional practitioners

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“TEDS DMin has been a perfect complement to my MDiv. I was surrounded by seasoned, yet humble, Christian mentors who are passionate about sharing the wisdom God has given to them. I’m particularly thankful for how they introduced me to vast fields of study, but always with a framework shaped by a biblical worldview.”

—Phil Smith ’20

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Why TEDS Makes a Difference

For the last 120 years, TEDS has been forming generations of ministers and scholars for the church. Here you will find mentors to guide you through your questions without telling you what to think. We are a broadly evangelical school that prides itself on theological and cultural diversity as you study under some of the most influential thinkers in Christian academia. An education at TEDS invites you into a community of alumni who are making a difference for Christ in the world.

A DMin that is Flexible and Achievable

Our new 3-phase, 4-year, hybrid learning model offers a combination of credits earned in the classroom, in independent guided research, and from demonstrated competencies. Course content is delivered in person and remotely in blended formats with contextualized field work. On campus courses will be offered primarily in March, and during the last two weeks of July each year.

PHASE	CONTENT	HOURS
PHASE 1	Missional Core: Missional Theology, Research, and Assessments	9
PHASE 2	Ministry Focus: Concentration Courses and Guided Research	15
PHASE 3	Major Project: Ministry Strategy, Project Submission, and Oral Defense	6
	TOTAL HOURS	30

Focus Your Program to Fit Your Ministry Context

A student will invest a significant portion of their research and coursework in an area of ministry that expresses their vision for missional renewal and transformation. 

Get the Tools You Need to Lead 

Our goal is to equip you with the necessary evaluation and assessment tools to understand your context of ministry and implement ministry-specific strategies that succeed. A TEDS DMin provides you with the opportunity to develop these skills.

1. Develop INCREASED LEADERSHIP CAPACITY evidenced by the ability to deepen personal spiritual maturity, thrive in current ministry contexts, and increase the scale and scope of ministry effectiveness, responsibilities, and opportunities
2. Practice INTENTIONAL THEOLOGICAL INTEGRATION evidenced by the ability to effectively engage one’s cultural context with advanced theological acumen and critical thinking
3. Engage in IN-DEPTH CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS demonstrating the ability to identify and frame crucial ministry issues and outline potential solutions
4. Utilize INNOVATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING evidenced by the ability to create and develop key ministry initiatives and achieve desired ministry goals
5. Experience greater INTIMACY WITH CHRIST through a deepening love for God and others and grow in your personal spiritual maturity

A Degree that Serves You so that You can Serve Others.

A DMin is the highest earned professional degree for ministry. Our graduates are skilled, passionate, nurturing, and biblically oriented pastors, chaplains, missionaries, ministry leaders, and program directors who serve around the world. A TEDS DMin will equip you to guide missional focus and change while meeting the challenges of a post-Christian context and culture.

Beginning Your DMin Journey

If you’re ready to enroll, here are the basic requirements needed to get started. Contact our graduate admissions office, if you have any questions about the items listed below and our staff will be happy to assist you. Go to tiu.edu/contact-us or call 800-822-3225.

1. Possess a Master of Divinity degree or other acceptable master’s level qualifications (see full prerequisites for details).
2. Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all master’s work. For students who have not achieved a 3.0, the DMin Department and committee will weigh additional factors to confirm their capacity to handle doctoral level studies at a graduate institution.
3. Have had at least three years of consistent full-time ministry experience after receiving the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. Exceptions may occasionally be made on the basis of extensive ministry experience prior to receiving the MDiv degree. Such exceptions are normally considered on the basis of three years full-time experience prior to the MDiv as equivalent to one year of post MDiv full-time experience.
4. Recommendations from the following four people (to be submitted electronically through the online application): (1) Ministry supervisor, (2) Ministry colleague, (3) Lay leader, (4) Chairman of church board, professor, denominational official OR professional acquaintance.
5.  Since the program is heavily dependent on computer skills, applicants should be able to use a current word processing program. Ownership of a desktop or laptop computer is required, along with Internet and email capabilities.

MORE Information

In lieu of an MDiv, other acceptable master’s level qualifications are defined as an earned ministry or theology related master’s degree, including at least 72 semester hours of graduate study in areas that closely parallel Trinity’s MDiv curriculum. Specifically, this should include 12 semester hours of Old Testament, 12 semester hours of New Testament, 12 semester hours of Systematic Theology, 3 semester hours of church history, and 33 semester hours of electives. On rare occasions, credit may be given for distinguished teaching experience. Students who lack a limited number of these prerequisites may be admitted with a deficiency that must be removed through appropriate master’s course work or equivalent taken at, or through, an accredited seminary before enrolling in the fifth DMin course.

Special Instructions for International Applicants

You’ll need to meet the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations in obtaining an F-1 (student) visa. This requires additional admissions information and paperwork. International applicants whose first language is not English must also submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

All international DMin program students, including Visiting DMin students and students from Canada, are now required to enter the United States with an F-1 visa and must comply with the visa requirements.

The DMin is not a residential program. Classes are offered as multi-day intensive courses. We hold courses each year on the Deerfield campus. Multiple courses are offered primarily in March and two weeks in July, with some course offerings in other months.

DMin students commuting to the Deerfield Campus on a course-by-course basis must also obtain an F-1 visa. Students who enter the United States to pursue the Doctor of Ministry degree without the F-1 visa potentially jeopardize their ability to complete the degree and reenter the United States. F-1 visas will remain valid as long as reentry into the United States for the purposes of study occurs at least once every five (5) months. A new visa will be required if reentry does not occur within this time period.  Hence, full-time progress for DMin international nonresidential students is defined as taking at least one course in each of the three sessions (Fall, Spring, Summer) per year.

Learn More

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