Doctor of Ministry Programs at Central Seminary
Find your place at Central Seminary.
Why Pursue a DMin Degree Through Central?
A Doctorate of Ministry degree is an opportunity to deepen your theological knowledge and develop leadership skills and apply it to ministry-related topics. Through coursework and training, you will gain valuable experience that will equip you to work with churches and leaders, non-profit organizations, and other ministries. You’ll also learn how to apply your biblical knowledge to address the challenges facing the modern church
DMin Degree in Missional Church Studies
The Doctor of Ministry Program at Central Seminary prepares students for ministry by focusing on best-practice methodologies for strengthening congregational health. The program is designed to inspire personal, spiritual, and professional growth that is unique to each individual. Throughout the DMin program, students have opportunities for self-assessment and engagement with others that are designed to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance their ability to empathize with others.
Many of our Doctor of Ministry students are already serving as ministers, chaplains, and other faith leaders. They are able to apply the learning outcomes from their coursework in their current role as they learn.
A Doctorate of Ministry is fully achievable at Central Seminary in either English or Korean. The English program is 100% online. The Korean program can be completed through a combination of online coursework and on-campus meetings once per week per term. Students may also begin their studies in Korean with an MA in Missional Church Studies, Master of Divinity, Master of Christian Care and Counseling, or a Diploma in Christian Formation.
Purpose & Outcomes
The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin) is to provide advanced, practical theological education for experienced ministers, chaplains, and other faith leaders who hold a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent.
Learning Outcomes
- Utilize social scientific research methods to appropriately analyze ministry situations and develop practices conducive to congregational health.
- Use best practice methodologies employed by the classical theological disciplines to critique ideas, beliefs, and practices in terms of their implications for congregational health.
- Demonstrate high proficiency in the art of ministry praxis and leadership that contributes either to healthy faith communities that are missional in nature or to pastoral care that holistically develops healthy individuals and families.
- Demonstrate commitment to continuing growth in personal, spiritual, and professional maturity.
- Acquire essential skills for mentoring new generations of leaders and equipping them for healthy practices of ministry.
- English or Korean Languages Offered: English or Korean
- 30 Credits Program Length: 30 credits—2 years of coursework plus 1 or more years for the dissertation project
- Two 15-Week Semesters Calendar: Two 15-week semesters per academic year. New students can begin in any fall or spring term with most courses offered online
| Session | Start Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Easter 2025 (May - July) | May 5, 2025 | April 14, 2025 |
Tuition
$490 per credit (Amounts shown are for academic year 2022-2023 and only represent basic costs. Consult the current academic catalog for complete financial information.)
Registration Fee
$300 per term
Dissertation Fee
$850 at start of dissertation
Graduation Fee
$250
Start your application anytime. Applicants must have a Master of Divinity degree (or its equivalent) from an appropriately accredited institution and a minimum of three years of experience in their ministry context after receiving the MDiv.
The application deadline is November 1 each year. All applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee as part of their application process. Students participating in the English program for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. This process may include taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- Orientation to the Dmin Program
- Special Topics in Missional Church (Prolegomena for the M.C.)
- Congregational Development of New Faith Communities
- Missional Church and Incarnational Theology
- Missional Leadership: Theology and Practice
- Creating Mission-Minded Congregations
- Mentoring, Coaching, And Learning Communities for Missional Ministries
- Transformational Ministry and Adaptive Change
- Missional Church Theory and Practice
- Research Method and Project Design
- Project Dissertation
- Project Dissertation Continuation
John S. Park
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Des Peres Chair of Congregational Health, Associate Professor of Leadership and Congregational Health
DMin Degree in Creative Leadership
The Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership at Central provides students with the skills they need to lead ministries in a changing world. The program is designed to help students think critically and creatively about their ministry vision and how to bring it to fruition. The program provides opportunities for students to gain a better understanding of themselves and others while developing skills in systematic thinking, design thinking, theology in practice, and research methods. Additionally, the hybrid approach to learning both in-person and online makes completing your degree convenient and transformational.
Purpose & Outcomes
The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin) is to provide advanced, practical theological education for experienced ministers, chaplains, and other faith leaders who hold the Master of Divinity degree. The DMin program of Central Seminary emphasizes the integration of theological reflection and practice, coaching, servant leadership, and scholarship to deepen spiritual and missional formation in both the practice of ministry and in the minister.
Learning Outcomes
- The learner will develop a theological construct from which a vision for personal and organizational spirituality and ministry might be developed.
- The learner will gain and improve the necessary skills for successfully guiding ministry innovation and entrepreneurship and for developing vision for effective and sustainable change.
- Through personal assessment and designed learning engagement with others, the learner will enhance his/her abilities to empathize.
- The learner will gain and develop skills for building teams and assessing organizational systems.
- The learner will acquire design thinking skills and utilize them to innovate in an organizational setting.
- The learner will enhance skills for creating and managing budgets, raising funds, and developing ministry resources.
- English Languages Offered: English
- 30 Credits Program Length: 30 credits—2 years of coursework plus 1 or more years for the dissertation project
- Three 12-Week Semesters Calendar: New cohorts begin every January (Lent term) and the program operates on three terms per year, starting in January, May, and late August; each term runs for 12 weeks and students will attend class at the Shawnee, Kansas campus one week per term
| Session | Start Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Easter 2025 (May - July) | May 5, 2025 | April 14, 2025 |
Tuition
$490 per credit (Amounts shown are for academic year 2022-2023 and only represent basic costs. Consult the current academic catalog for complete financial information.)
Registration Fee
$300 per term
Dissertation Fee
$850 at start of dissertation
Graduation Fee
$250
Students can apply anytime. The application deadline is November 1 each year with new cohorts beginning every January. DMin in Creative Leadership students must have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. In addition, students must have a minimum of three years of ministry experience after receiving an MDiv.
All applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee as a required part of the application process. Students for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. They may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- Shaping a Theology for Leadership and Spirituality
- Engaging the Power of Change
- Embracing Design Thinking
- Managing Ministry Resources
- Understanding Yourself and Others
- Leading People and Organizations
- Capstone Design, Development, and Execution
John S. Park
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Des Peres Chair of Congregational Health, Associate Professor of Leadership and Congregational Health
Be Prepared for the Real World
You’ll learn how to apply your theological and biblical knowledge to address the challenges that the modern church faces when you receive a Doctor of Ministry at Central Seminary. Students enjoy online, in-person, or a hybrid course schedule to fit their schedule plus affordable tuition rates.
Testimonials
My faith was stretched and grown at Central. Professors were not out to impart doctrine to us. Instead, they created a space to explore, discern, question, and think critically about theology, worship, church history, ministry, and spiritual formation. I am forever grateful for this.
Jennifer Judd
MDiv
Reasons to Come to Central Seminary for a DMin
Central Seminary offers in-person and online learning opportunities for Doctorate of Ministry degrees. Learn why students choose Central Seminary to launch their ministry.
Flexible Course Schedules
Programs are designed for full-time working professionals. You can complete coursework on your schedule. We help you save time and decrease stress with a seamless admission and registration process.
DMin in Missional Church Studies students may begin in any fall or spring term with most courses offered online. DMin in Missional Church Studies (English) is 100% online and DMin in Missional Church Studies (Korean) requires in-person meetings once per week per term.
DMin in Creative Leadership students can start in January.
Accredited DMin Courses
Central is fully accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools. Accreditation ensures that Central Seminary is held to a high standard of academic standard and is often a requirement for many ministries and businesses.
Affordable DMin Programs
In addition to low tuition rates, all degree-seeking students can access scholarship assistance. Students can choose from an individualized payment plan or a pay-as-you-go plan.
- Tuition: $490 per credit
- Fees: $300 per term
- Books (as an estimate): $150 per class
- Dissertation fee: $850 at start of dissertation
Optimized Online Doctor of Ministry Education
A primary reason why many students choose Central Seminary is our extensive experience in online education. We have provided innovative online education since 2010. Central Seminary leverages the innovation of rapidly changing online communication and teaching to provide high-quality distance-learning environments.
Although Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership (English) and) students must attend in-person classes at our Shawnee, Kansas location, many elements of your coursework will be enhanced by technology that makes it simpler to deliver assignments, communicate with others, and stay organized throughout the DMin program.
The DMin in Missional Church Studies (English) is 100% online.
Learn Amidst Diverse Perspectives
Students in the doctorate of ministry programs will enhance their theological understanding by looking at what the past can teach us and also by looking at what the future holds.
The diversity of our seminary student body fosters an innovative culture where everyone is free to pursue their spiritual path. Our embrace of inclusivity is reflected in the way we mentor students to help them achieve personal, spiritual, and professional growth. We hope every student acquires the same mentorship skills to help equip the next generation of ministry leaders and practice effective pastoral care to those in need.
Resources for International Students
Central Seminary’s international resources include all necessary forms needed, information about maintaining status, your graduation, employment, and admissions. All of which can be found here.
Doctorate in Ministry FAQ
View common questions and answers about Doctor of Ministry progams.
What are the admissions requirements for Central's DMin programs?
Applicants must have a Master of Divinity degree (or its equivalent) from an appropriately accredited institution and a minimum of three years of experience in their ministry context after receiving the MDiv.
How much does it cost to complete the DMin degree on campus?
The associated costs for doctorate-level programs at Central Seminary are listed below.
- Tuition: $490 per credit
- Fees: $300 per term
- Books (as an estimate): $150 per class
- Dissertation fee: $850 at start of dissertation
- Graduation fee: $250
In addition to reasonable tuition rates, all degree-seeking students have access to institutional scholarship financial assistance.
Be sure to check with your own church to see if they have additional resources for you to review. If you are a military veteran, check with your veterans.
How do I choose between a DMin in Creative Leadership and a DMin in Missional Church Studies?
The Missional Church Studies program’s primary goal is to prepare students to land naturally into their next ministry roles. Many of the Doctor of Ministry students are already serving in some capacity, as ministers, chaplains, or faith leaders. In the program, they will actively be able to apply their current learning from coursework and implement them into their roles.
The Creative Leadership program is aimed at students who want to fully develop their creative leadership skills. These are people with a unique ministry vision. Candidates should have an entrepreneurial spirit within the ministry geared towards driving positive change in congregations and communications and inspiring the next generation of believers. The result will be a well-prepared and executable vision for your innovative ministry vision, which can be both sustainable and effective.
How much technology should I know for the online DMin programs?
You will need a laptop or desktop computer with access to a strong internet connection. The applications you will use in your studies will be basic Microsoft Office programs and online tools like Zoom.
Enroll in a DMin Program Today
Start your application any time to join our academic degree programs and find your place at Central Seminary.