Milligan College

What you'll study

The DMin comprises three parts totaling 36 credit hours: a Classical Core, a Ministry Core, and a Final Project. The Classical Core requires five 3-credit courses covering Christian Theology, Church History, the New Testament, the Old Testament, plus a fifth course in one of those areas of the student’s choice (5 × 3 credits = 15). The Ministry Core includes four 3-credit courses and two 1-credit courses in Christian Ministries topics (14 credits). Ministry fields listed include church administration, church growth, counseling, clinical pastoral education, leadership development, preaching, teaching, worship, world mission, and evangelism. Students are encouraged to take a 3-credit course in Research Methodologies early; the project sequence awards a total of 7 credits (a 3-credit research-methods course plus a 4-credit final written project) for the design, accomplishment, and evaluation of a ministerial program that must show biblical, theological, and historical grounding and contribute beyond the local context.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a ministry-related field accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The previous ATS requirement for an MDiv is no longer mandatory. The Dean of the Seminary may require remedial work on a case-by-case basis.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for senior leadership and specialist ministry roles such as senior pastor, ministry consultant, non-profit director, church planter, pastoral counselor, and academic instructor teaching practical ministry in higher education.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

All degree-seeking students are considered for institutional scholarships through the Emmanuel admissions process. The seminary offers many institutional awards; a Lilly Grant enables one tuition-free class for newly enrolling DMin students, and applicants can pursue named opportunities such as the Thriving in Ministry Scholarship.