Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) (DMin)

About the Course

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) is designed for experienced ministry practitioners who wish to deepen and enhance their professional practice through doctoral-level research. It is intended for clergy, church leaders, chaplains, ministers, denominational leaders and those engaged in faith-based leadership who wish to undertake rigorous research grounded in professional practice.

The programme recognises that ministry is both an intellectual and practical vocation. The D.Min provides a structured pathway that enables participants to build upon their ministerial experience whilst developing the advanced research skills, theoretical understanding and critical reflection required of doctoral study.

Unlike a traditional PhD, the Doctor of Ministry combines a taught phase with a substantial independent research project. This enables participants to develop confidence as researchers before progressing to the completion of an original doctoral thesis focused upon a significant issue within ministry, faith-based leadership or religious practice.

Throughout the programme, participants critically engage with contemporary professional issues, research methodologies, professional knowledge, ethics, governance and evidence-informed practice. The emphasis is on developing reflective practitioners capable of using research to strengthen ministry, inform organisational development and contribute to professional and scholarly debates.

The programme is suitable for experienced practitioners working across churches, denominations, chaplaincy settings, faith-based charities, mission organisations and other religious contexts. Applicants are normally seeking to undertake research that emerges directly from their own ministerial practice and professional experience.

The Doctor of Ministry is a doctorate through practice rather than simply a doctorate about practice. It is designed for professionals who wish to investigate significant challenges arising within contemporary ministry and faith-based leadership and to generate knowledge capable of informing professional practice, organisational development and wider community engagement.

Curriculum Overview

The Doctor of Ministry is delivered in two phases.

Phase One: Taught Phase

The taught phase provides a structured foundation for doctoral study through six interconnected modules:

• Critical and Contemporary Issues
• Introduction to Research in Practice
• Literature Review in Your Specialism
• Research Methods
• Methodology and Methods in Your Specialism
• Research Proposal

These modules support students in developing advanced research knowledge, methodological expertise and a clear understanding of the issue they wish to investigate. All assessments are designed to contribute directly to the development of the doctoral research proposal.

The taught phase encourages interdisciplinary dialogue between professionals from a wide range of sectors. Participants examine how common challenges relating to leadership, ethics, evidence, professional authority, organisational decision-making and change management manifest across different professional settings. This interdisciplinary environment provides a rich context within which students can refine and develop their own doctoral research projects.

Phase Two: Research Phase

Following successful completion of the taught phase and approval of the research proposal, students progress to the doctoral research phase.

Working with an experienced supervisory team, students undertake a substantial programme of original research focused upon a significant issue within ministry, faith-based leadership or religious practice. The research phase culminates in the submission of a doctoral thesis.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally hold a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Applicants should also normally demonstrate a minimum of three years of sustained professional experience relevant to the proposed field of doctoral study. Professional doctorates are intended for experienced practitioners who can draw upon their professional knowledge and expertise to inform doctoral-level inquiry.

A Master's degree in a relevant discipline is desirable but not essential.

Applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic requirements may nevertheless be considered if they can demonstrate significant professional experience and the potential to undertake research at doctoral level.

All applicants will normally be required to attend an interview and discuss their proposed area of research with members of the Professional Doctorate team.

International Entry Requirements

International applicants should possess qualifications equivalent to the University's standard entry requirements and demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English will normally be required to achieve IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, or an equivalent recognised qualification.

Teaching and Research

The Doctor of Ministry is intended for experienced ministry practitioners seeking to deepen their professional expertise and enhance their influence within faith-based organisations and communities.

Graduates develop advanced capabilities in research, critical reflection, leadership and evidence-informed decision-making. The programme prepares participants to contribute to organisational development, professional leadership and innovation through research-informed practice.

Graduates may progress into senior church leadership, denominational leadership, chaplaincy leadership, theological education, consultancy, mission leadership and research leadership roles. Others use the qualification to support organisational development, innovation and professional formation within religious and faith-based settings.

Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry are independent researchers and professional leaders who have generated original knowledge through rigorous doctoral inquiry. They are equipped to influence professional practice, inform organisational development and contribute authoritatively to debates concerning ministry, leadership, religion and contemporary society.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

Visit our Postgraduate research tuition fees page for full details

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

Visit our Postgraduate research tuition fees page for full details

Funding your studies

Students on this course may be eligible for doctoral loans to support the cost of study. Further information is available through the University’s funding and scholarships pages.

Careers

The Doctor of Ministry is intended for experienced ministry practitioners seeking to deepen their professional expertise and enhance their influence within faith-based organisations and communities.

Graduates develop advanced capabilities in research, critical reflection, leadership and evidence-informed decision-making. The programme prepares participants to contribute to organisational development, professional leadership and innovation through research-informed practice.

Graduates may progress into senior church leadership, denominational leadership, chaplaincy leadership, theological education, consultancy, mission leadership and research leadership roles. Others use the qualification to support organisational development, innovation and professional formation within religious and faith-based settings.

Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry are independent researchers and professional leaders who have generated original knowledge through rigorous doctoral inquiry. They are equipped to influence professional practice, inform organisational development and contribute authoritatively to debates concerning ministry, leadership, religion and contemporary society.