Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

The program requires 33 credit hours over a 36-month timeframe and balances biblical, theological, cultural and practical coursework. Example courses listed by the program include:

• Biblical and Theological Foundations for Ministry
• Forming Communities of Faith
• Culture, Context and Community
• Preaching in Contemporary Contexts

Students may choose a focused pathway or design a general program. Available concentrations are:

• Christian Spiritual Formation — attention to discipleship, scripture and tradition as resources for forming others.
• Leadership for Missional Renewal — theological reflection in missional theology, cultural hermeneutics and leadership for congregational renewal.
• Preaching for Community Transformation — homiletics as a congregation-shaping practice, combining exegetical work, cultural context and worship life.
• General — a customizable course of study drawn from available D.Min. classes when a listed concentration does not match a student’s context.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold an M.Div. or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools or a nationally recognized regional accreditor; the program offers M.Div. equivalency options for those without an M.Div. Candidates need a minimum of three years of ministry experience following their first theological master’s degree. Admission materials required include:

• Completed application and non-refundable processing fee
• Official transcripts with degrees posted and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Documentation of ministry employment
• Four recommendations (including at least one academic reference)
• A personal self-reflection statement (5–9 pages total: 3–5 pages describing values, needs and growth objectives; 1–2 pages describing current ministry context)

Application dates cited for the 2026 cohort are: December 2, 2025 for international applicants and January 31, 2026 for domestic applicants. Non-synchronous online engagement may begin in March, with face-to-face or synchronous online classes primarily in June; admitted students may start that summer or defer enrollment one year.

Career prospects

The program targets scholar-practitioners and prepares graduates for advanced leadership roles in congregational ministry, missions, church planting, chaplaincy, non-profit leadership, theological education and related fields. Example job titles cited by the program include lead pastor, academic professor, doctoral researcher, church administrator, chaplain and youth minister.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not list specific scholarships or funding amounts. Prospective students should explore institutional graduate funding, denominational support, employer sponsorship and external scholarships appropriate to doctoral ministry studies, and contact the admissions office for current funding opportunities and application advice.