DMin Program Structure and Course Delivery

The Doctor of Ministry program at Houston Theological Seminary is designed to be a formative experience for Christian leaders. The core program can be completed in as few as three years. Courses are semester-long and hybrid in format, focused on one-week residential intensives. Some students may require bridging coursework before beginning the core, three-year degree program.

Core Program Structure (30 hours)

Core Courses (x3) 9 hours
Seminars 8 hours
Track Courses (x3) 9 hours
Project/Thesis 4 hours
Total: 30 hours

Interested in what a semester will look like?

DMin Core – 9 hours (3 courses)

The goal of the DMin Core is to establish foundational competencies and skills that undergird the program tracks and that capture our distinctive approach to theology and the Kingdom of God. These core classes are:

Kingdom Theology – focusing on biblical theology as climaxing in the Kingdom of God
Kingdom Ministry – focusing on ministry as embodying the Kingdom of God
Theology and Culture – focusing on Kingdom approaches to contemporary culture

Research Seminars – 8 hours (2 hours each semester)

With research seminars students will join with the faculty to share in cutting-edge research and discussion for the first two years of study. Students will also be progressively guided in the development of their individual research projects, so they can begin the final stage with a substantial portion already completed. These seminars meet remotely for 1.5 hours twice a month, with additional instructional time during in-person intensive weeks.

Track Courses – 9 hours (3 courses)

Students will pursue specialization through one of the program tracks—New Testament Studies or Faith & Culture.

Faith & Culture Track

This track allows leaders to engage the challenges facing the church with substance and conviction. The complex challenges demand the nuance of HTS’s interdisciplinary approach that engages culture through the arts, humanities, and philosophy. Our international and ecumenical faculty provides opportunities for holistic formation. Come study with one of the largest apologetics faculties in the world, including David Baggett, Michael Licona, Holly Ordway, Chris Sneller, Phil Tallon, Melissa Travis, Michael Ward, Nancy Pearcey, and Kristen Davis.

New Testament Studies Track

This track allows leaders to achieve doctoral-level biblical competency by engaging cutting-edge research in New Testament Studies so they can better communicate the reality of God’s word. HTS is particularly suited for this track since our faculty is active in international-level research, and we have one of the largest New Testament faculties in the world: Lynn Cohick, Scot McKnight, Ben Blackwell, Craig Evans, Chris Kugler, Michael Licona, Jason Maston, and Paul Sloan.

Research Project – 4 hours

The climax of the program is an individual project which demonstrates applied consideration of theology and ministry. Students may choose to prepare either 1) a traditional DMin research dissertation, or 2) a substantial project based on discussion with and pre-approval by the department and the supervisor. We work with a dual supervision process, in which you will have both an institutional thesis supervisor and an internal or external First Reader, each providing you individualized support and encouragement.

Sample Progression – 3 years

Check out the Semester at a Glance to see how the five hours each semester will look.

YEAR 1 (10 hours)

Semester 1
Core 1 (3 hrs)
Research Seminar (2 hrs)

Semester 2
Core 2 (3 hrs)
Research Seminar (2 hrs)

YEAR 2 (10 hours)

Semester 1
Core 3 (3 hrs)
Research Seminar (2 hrs)

Semester 2
Track 1 (3 hrs)
Research Seminar (2 hrs)

YEAR 3 (10 hours)

Semester 1
Track 2 (3 hrs)
Research Project (2 hrs)

Semester 2
Track 3 (3 hrs)
Research Project (2 hrs)

More Information

Explore more detailed information about the DMin program:

Please feel free to contact Andrew Garbarino (agarbarino@hc.edu), DMin Program Coordinator, who can help guide you through the application and shape a program that fits your interests and ministry goals.

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