Doctor of Ministry

The MTSO Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed to offer ministering professionals an advanced educational experience, which in turn serves the church and the society by providing leaders with advanced professional development.

This degree is carefully crafted with professional ministry in mind and places the student experience at the center of the program. It offers:

• Collaborative study with peer groups.
• Small class sizes.
• Core courses integrating theory and practice.
• Projects designed to introduce change in faith communities.

You’ll benefit from regular communication with their peers, faculty and the D. Min. director throughout all phases of the degree program.

Apply today.

Program overview

You will begin your D.Min. studies by taking three core courses. When these have been completed, you’ll then pursue focused study in one of three specializations:

• Leadership for Transformational Change.
• Ecology and Justice Ministry.
• Global Christian Leadership and the Urban Context.

Core and specialization courses are offered in a five-day intensive format, which takes place every July and January. The remainder of your work toward the D.Min. can be done independently. MTSO offers courses both in person and online. While some courses are available exclusively online or exclusively in person, the vast majority are available in both modes, employing HyFlex education.

You’ll begin your coursework in July of your first year, meeting for classes in July and January until the coursework is completed. The D.Min. program may be completed in four to five years, and must be completed within six years of enrollment.

At the conclusion of coursework, you’ll embark upon an original research project in your own ministry setting, culminating in a written thesis that makes an original contribution to scholarship about the practice of ministry.

Our D.Min. degree audit outlines requirements for earning the degree. (PDF)

Here is our Doctor of Ministry Student Handbook. (PDF)

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for the D.Min. program are on MTSO’s tuition, fees and housing sheet. Costs such as books, course materials, travel, housing and meals are not covered by tuition.

MTSO doesn’t offer D.Min. scholarships. Clergy within the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church may apply for the West Ohio Conference Alford-Cantlin Fellows program, which includes some scholarship funding.

Note to prospective international students

Because those enrolled in the MTSO Doctor of Ministry program attend half-time rather than full-time, D.Min. students are ineligible for the United States’ F-1 student visas, which require full-time enrollment.

Apply

Get started on our Doctor of Ministry application page. Applications for summer matriculation are due May 15. Questions? Email admissions@mtso.edu.