Doctor of Ministry
Expand your ministry by becoming a Doctor of the Church.
60 credit hours. In context with intensives and peer sessions. 3 years.
Is God calling you to expand your ministry? United’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is for religious leaders seeking to strengthen their prophetic, pastoral and executive capabilities. Through the DMin program, you will identify a need within your community and develop a model of ministry that will produce change for the glory of God.
Program Design
The DMin program is designed for those who are actively engaged in ministry. Complete it from wherever you live. Your own ministry setting is the learning environment. Working with a faculty mentor, a peer group focused on an area of ministry, and ministry partners, you will develop an original research project designed to address a need within your unique ministry context. Thesis writing begins on the first day of the program, and chapters are due each semester to make your project manageable and help you graduate on time.
Individual Work: Assess your ministry context and design a project or “replicable model of ministry” to address a need. Phases of your project are due each semester, providing accountability and momentum toward completing your thesis.
Intensives: Begin each semester learning from national leaders about major issues impacting ministry today. Work closely with mentors and peers to troubleshoot and progress through your project step by step.
Peer Sessions: Meet with your focus group twice per year to expand your knowledge base through assigned coursework. Collaborate with your mentor and peers to refine your project.
DEGREE PLAN
The entire program is intended to be completed in six (6) semesters, but with the permission of the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies it may be extended to a total of nine (9) consecutive semesters. A student may not qualify for the degree beyond nine (9) semesters.
Each semester begins with a five-day Doctoral Intensive in Dayton, Ohio. During the Intensive Weeks, you will receive tools to prepare you for the next phase of study.
WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY
United offers focus groups that target topics within these areas:
- 21st Century Church
- Church Renewal and Evangelism
- Holy Spirit / Supernatural Ministry
- Pastoral Leadership and Church Administration
- Preaching
- Social Justice
Review the list of mentors and groups below to find a group that supports your area of study and ministry goals:
Focus Group offerings are subject to change. Please contact the Doctor of Ministry office at any time to request assistance to identify an appropriate group for your specific area of interest.
Intensive weeks for United’s Doctor of Ministry program are held in January and August in Dayton, OH. Intensive weeks introduce DMin students to current issues that are impacting ministry. Each intensive is organized around a practical theme and is taught by national leaders. The intensives also provide a setting for course work, the development of research methodology and focus group consultation.
Included in intensive weeks:
- Communal worship
- Focus group meetings
- Plenary sessions on the theme of the intensive
- Core course work for required academic curriculum
Next Intensive Week:
August 18-22, 2025
Theme: 21st Century Preaching and Proclamation: Preaching from a Different Voice
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.5 GPA
- MDiv degree or its equivalent with minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Three years of ministry experience.
The Doctor of Ministry program presupposes a Master of Divinity degree (or its educational equivalent) and at least three years of ministry. If you have another type of theological master’s degree, you may be asked to take additional classes as a non-degree graduate student before entering the Doctor of Ministry program. If you have a non-theological master’s degree, our 36-hour Master of Ministry degree can prepare you for the educational rigor of the doctoral program, while accomplishing MDiv equivalency requirements.
AT A GLANCE
- $10,800/Year
- Average Annual Tuition & Fees: $12,460
- Average United Aid: $4,803
- Average External Aid: $697
Average Annual Cost After Aid: $6,960
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
United provides multiple scholarship opportunities to defray out-of-pocket costs for students. Learn more about tuition, fees, and scholarships here or contact Student Aid at studentaid@united.edu.
1. Scholarship Application
Contact studentaid@united.edu to learn about available scholarships. Continuing students will be notified each year when the scholarship application for the upcoming academic year is available.
2. Decisions
- Award decisions will be made by the Student Aid Committee.
- Communication regarding scholarship awards will be sent via United email.
3. Scholarship Acceptance Requirements
If a scholarship award is received, recipients must do the following to accept and maintain the award:
- Demonstrate appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude to the scholarship benefactor by the date specified on the award letter.
Is God calling you to expand your ministry? United’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is for religious leaders seeking to strengthen their prophetic, pastoral and executive capabilities. Through the DMin program, you will identify a need within your community and develop a model of ministry that will produce change for the glory of God.
Program Design
The DMin program is designed for those who are actively engaged in ministry. Complete it from wherever you live. Your own ministry setting is the learning environment. Working with a faculty mentor, a peer group focused on an area of ministry, and ministry partners, you will develop an original research project designed to address a need within your unique ministry context. Thesis writing begins on the first day of the program, and chapters are due each semester to make your project manageable and help you graduate on time.
Individual Work: Assess your ministry context and design a project or “replicable model of ministry” to address a need. Phases of your project are due each semester, providing accountability and momentum toward completing your thesis.
Intensives: Begin each semester learning from national leaders about major issues impacting ministry today. Work closely with mentors and peers to troubleshoot and progress through your project step by step.
Peer Sessions: Meet with your focus group twice per year to expand your knowledge base through assigned coursework. Collaborate with your mentor and peers to refine your project.
DEGREE PLAN
The entire program is intended to be completed in six (6) semesters, but with the permission of the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies it may be extended to a total of nine (9) consecutive semesters. A student may not qualify for the degree beyond nine (9) semesters.
Each semester begins with a five-day Doctoral Intensive in Dayton, Ohio. During the Intensive Weeks, you will receive tools to prepare you for the next phase of study.
WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY
United offers focus groups that target topics within these areas:
- 21st Century Church
- Church Renewal and Evangelism
- Holy Spirit / Supernatural Ministry
- Pastoral Leadership and Church Administration
- Preaching
- Social Justice
Review the list of mentors and groups below to find a group that supports your area of study and ministry goals:
Focus Group offerings are subject to change. Please contact the Doctor of Ministry office at any time to request assistance to identify an appropriate group for your specific area of interest.
Intensive weeks for United’s Doctor of Ministry program are held in January and August in Dayton, OH. Intensive weeks introduce DMin students to current issues that are impacting ministry. Each intensive is organized around a practical theme and is taught by national leaders. The intensives also provide a setting for course work, the development of research methodology and focus group consultation.
Included in intensive weeks:
- Communal worship
- Focus group meetings
- Plenary sessions on the theme of the intensive
- Core course work for required academic curriculum
Next Intensive Week:
August 18-22, 2025
Theme: 21st Century Preaching and Proclamation: Preaching from a Different Voice
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.5 GPA
- MDiv degree or its equivalent with minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Three years of ministry experience.
The Doctor of Ministry program presupposes a Master of Divinity degree (or its educational equivalent) and at least three years of ministry. If you have another type of theological master’s degree, you may be asked to take additional classes as a non-degree graduate student before entering the Doctor of Ministry program. If you have a non-theological master’s degree, our 36-hour Master of Ministry degree can prepare you for the educational rigor of the doctoral program, while accomplishing MDiv equivalency requirements.
Learn more about the master’s application process.
AT A GLANCE
- $10,400/Year
- Average Annual Tuition & Fees: $12,423
- Average United Aid: $5,342
- Average External Aid: $870
Average Annual Cost After Aid: $6,210
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
United provides multiple scholarship opportunities to defray out-of-pocket costs for students. Learn more about tuition, fees, and scholarships here or contact Student Aid at studentaid@united.edu.
Contact studentaid@united.edu to learn about available scholarships. Continuing students will be notified each year when the scholarship application for the upcoming academic year is available.
2. Decisions
- Award decisions will be made by the Student Aid Committee.
- Communication regarding scholarship awards will be sent via United email.
3. Scholarship Acceptance Requirements
If a scholarship award is received, recipients must do the following to accept and maintain the award:
- Demonstrate appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude to the scholarship benefactor by the date specified on the award letter.
Is God calling you to expand your ministry? United’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is for religious leaders seeking to strengthen their prophetic, pastoral and executive capabilities. Through the DMin program, you will identify a need within your community and develop a model of ministry that will produce change for the glory of God.
Program Design
The DMin program is designed for those who are actively engaged in ministry. Complete it from wherever you live. Your own ministry setting is the learning environment. Working with a faculty mentor, a peer group focused on an area of ministry, and ministry partners, you will develop an original research project designed to address a need within your unique ministry context. Thesis writing begins on the first day of the program, and chapters are due each semester to make your project manageable and help you graduate on time.
Individual Work: Assess your ministry context and design a project or “replicable model of ministry” to address a need. Phases of your project are due each semester, providing accountability and momentum toward completing your thesis.
Intensives: Begin each semester learning from national leaders about major issues impacting ministry today. Work closely with mentors and peers to troubleshoot and progress through your project step by step.
Peer Sessions: Meet with your focus group twice per year to expand your knowledge base through assigned coursework. Collaborate with your mentor and peers to refine your project.
DEGREE PLAN
The entire program is intended to be completed in six (6) semesters, but with the permission of the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies it may be extended to a total of nine (9) consecutive semesters. A student may not qualify for the degree beyond nine (9) semesters.
Each semester begins with a five-day Doctoral Intensive in Dayton, Ohio. During the Intensive Weeks, you will receive tools to prepare you for the next phase of study.
WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY
United offers focus groups that target topics within these areas:
- 21st Century Church
- Church Renewal and Evangelism
- Holy Spirit / Supernatural Ministry
- Pastoral Leadership and Church Administration
- Preaching
- Social Justice
Review the list of mentors and groups below to find a group that supports your area of study and ministry goals:
Focus Group offerings are subject to change. Please contact the Doctor of Ministry office at any time to request assistance to identify an appropriate group for your specific area of interest.
Intensive weeks for United’s Doctor of Ministry program are held in January and August in Dayton, OH. Intensive weeks introduce DMin students to current issues that are impacting ministry. Each intensive is organized around a practical theme and is taught by national leaders. The intensives also provide a setting for course work, the development of research methodology and focus group consultation.
Included in intensive weeks:
- Communal worship
- Focus group meetings
- Plenary sessions on the theme of the intensive
- Core course work for required academic curriculum
Next Intensive Week:
August 18-22, 2025
Theme: 21st Century Preaching and Proclamation: Preaching from a Different Voice
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 2.5 GPA
- MDiv degree or its equivalent with minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Three years of ministry experience.
The Doctor of Ministry program presupposes a Master of Divinity degree (or its educational equivalent) and at least three years of ministry. If you have another type of theological master’s degree, you may be asked to take additional classes as a non-degree graduate student before entering the Doctor of Ministry program. If you have a non-theological master’s degree, our 36-hour Master of Ministry degree can prepare you for the educational rigor of the doctoral program, while accomplishing MDiv equivalency requirements.
AT A GLANCE
- $10,400/Year
- Average Annual Tuition & Fees: $12,423
- Average United Aid: $5,342
- Average External Aid: $870
Average Annual Cost After Aid: $6,210
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
United provides multiple scholarship opportunities to defray out-of-pocket costs for students. Learn more about tuition, fees, and scholarships here or contact Student Aid at studentaid@united.edu.
1. Scholarship Application
Contact studentaid@united.edu to learn about available scholarships. Continuing students will be notified each year when the scholarship application for the upcoming academic year is available.
2. Decisions
- Award decisions will be made by the Student Aid Committee.
- Communication regarding scholarship awards will be sent via United email.
3. Scholarship Acceptance Requirements
If a scholarship award is received, recipients must do the following to accept and maintain the award:
- Demonstrate appreciation by writing a letter of gratitude to the scholarship benefactor by the date specified on the award letter.
A DMin degree might be for you if you are interested in a career as a…
Pastor or other church leader
Denominational executive
Nonprofit director
Non-governmental organizational leader
YOUR MENTOR, WITH YOU THE WHOLE WAY…
United’s Doctor of Ministry program builds professional leadership capabilities from a ministerial perspective. Through the Doctor of Ministry, learn from experienced religious leaders in our mentor-based program. Your mentor will lead your focus group through an area of ministry relevant to the church today.
Begin your journey. Follow God’s call at United.