ACU Home
Doctor of Ministry
Program Information
Admissions
Curriculum
Catalog Description
Course Schedule
Faculty

 Program Information

Introduction 
The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced professional degree designed to enhance the minister's competency and skill in performing the essential tasks of ministry. Distinguished from academic research programs such as the Ph.D. or Th.D., the primary emphasis of the Doctor of Ministry degree is on excellence in the practice of ministry.

The D.Min. is especially vital training for ministers and their churches as they experience dramatic shifts in their ministry contexts. Our postmodern culture demands that ministers bring rigorous reflection, both theological and practical, to the task of ministry. This reflection will allow ministers and churches to become missional by taking seriously both the gospel and our culture.

The missional church represents God in the encounter between God and the human culture. The church exists not because of human goals or desires, but as a result of God's creating and saving work in the world. Missional churches provide a visible manifestation of how the Good News of Jesus Christ is present in human life and transforms human culture to reflect more faithfully God's intentions for creation. A missional congregation is a community that visibly and effectively participates in God's activity, just as Jesus indicated when he referred to it in metaphorical language as salt, yeast, and light in the world.

ACU believes in the numerous merits of the D.Min. We pledge ourselves to the highest quality in curriculum, instruction, and guidance. We want to serve the whole person and aim to make ACU a home for ministers throughout the stages of life and ministry. Let ACU be your partner in the quest for greater service in the name of Jesus.

Accreditation 
Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctor of Ministry degrees. In addition, the Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Format
The format of the D.Min. program is built around a series of eight one-week intensive short courses taken in residence on the ACU campus. After the initial two-week period, students may take up to three courses per year, which are offered during one week in January and two weeks in June.

Each course consists of...

  • advanced reading assigned by the professor several weeks prior to the first class meeting
  • five days of class meeting on campus
  • project/paper to be submitted several weeks after the class meetings

The eight intensive courses complete the course work. The final component of the program is the project/thesis.

Cost 

Program Cost 
The Doctor of Ministry degree program is $4,500. The program costs reflect a reduction of over 70% in tuition compared to the current ACU tuition rate of $425 per semester hour.

Payments may be made in one of the following ways:

  • The full amount ($4,500) at the beginning of the program.
  • Three payments of $1,500 each, the first at the beginning of the program with the others due at the beginning of   the following two summer residency periods.
  • An installment payment plan of $125 each month arranged by a promissory note.

There is no interest charged on any payment plan as long as the payments are current. Payments are not refundable. 

Additional Expenses
In addition to the program cost ($4,500), the student will be responsible for the following additional expenses which are necessary for participation in the D.Min. program:

  • Technology and academic enrichment fees (approximately $16.50 per semester hour)
  • Transcript fee ($5 per semester hour)
  • Books, syllabi, and other required course materials
  • Travel expenses
  • Room and board
  • Library fees
  • Postage expenses related to the project/thesis
  • Graduate School fees related to the project/thesis

Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships based on financial need are available for students through application with the Administrative Assistant to the Doctor of Ministry program.

Library Services
Craig Churchill serves as the theological librarian for the Graduate School of Theology; he is readily available to all D.Min. students. Library services and privileges are available to all graduate students on an extended loan basis by mail if desired. Special arrangements will be made for D.Min. students to have the available material needed to support their course work. Students are also encouraged to use libraries in their home region.

On-Campus Housing 
Housing may be available at minimal charge during the residency periods. Contact the Administrative Assistant to the Doctor of Ministry program for information.