Luther Rice College & Seminary

Doctor of Ministry 

The Doctor of Ministry is a terminal degree uniquely designed for experienced ministry leaders seeking greater confidence, competence, and biblical depth in their calling. Whether you’ve served for decades or are preparing for long-term ministry, the DMin at Luther Rice helps you think critically, biblically, and theologically — and apply that learning to real-world ministry challenges.

Unlike a PhD, which is academically focused for research, scholarship, and academia, the DMin is a terminal degree for practical ministry - the highest level of academic and practical preparation for pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders. Your coursework and final ministry project work together to equip you for immediate, real-life ministry impact in your current and future ministry context. 

Quick Facts

  • The degree can be completed 100% online
  • 30 credit hour (10 courses) doctoral degree program
  • Tuition $431 per credit hour
  • Accredited with SACSCOC, TRACS, and ABHE
  • 4 of the 10 courses start with a mandatory week-long module, attended on campus or live via Zoom.
  • 97% of graduates reported that a Luther Rice education improved the quality of their ministry experience

Course Listings

Download D.Min. course listings (PDF)

Potential Careers

  • Senior Pastor
  • Christian Author
  • Speaker
  • Theologian
  • Missions Agency
  • Non-profit
  • Administrator
  • Teacher

Admission Requirements

Doctoral applicants must possess a total of 54 credit hours of master’s-level work, including an earned Master of Arts (M.A.) degree or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an institution with accreditation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. Unaccredited graduate degrees may be considered but will be evaluated according to the criteria outlined in the Luther Rice catalog.

To ensure academic preparation aligned with the biblical focus of the program, entrance requirements vary based on the applicant’s graduate major:

Applicants who hold a graduate degree with a biblical major must have completed a cumulative total of at least 54 graduate-level semester hours of biblical coursework. This coursework provides the foundational biblical knowledge necessary for success in the Doctor of Ministry program.

NEED TO REACH 54 CREDIT HOURS? Pursue the DMIN Bridge at Luther Rice to Complete Remaining Graduate Hours 

Applicants holding a graduate degree in a non-biblical major are required to have completed a minimum of 36 graduate-level semester hours of biblical coursework.

Those who do not meet this requirement are encouraged to complete Luther Rice’s 36-credit Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) program or equivalent coursework before advancing to the Doctor of Ministry program.

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in approved graduate-level work.

  • Submission of an entrance paper (guidelines available from the Admissions Office) 

    • Click HERE for entrance paper requirements

  • 2-Page Paper Detailing:

    • Acceptable, verifiable employment experience in a specific area of ministry (e.g., pastor, church staff, missionary, parachurch ministry leader or staff).

    • Acceptable, verifiable two-year history of active Christian ministry showing good professional standing, adherence to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, and good Christian character and conduct.

    • Acceptable, verifiable ministry laboratory in which the applicant can pursue the required project (e.g., church, mission field, or parachurch field of ministry) and explanation of how the Doctor of Ministry program will benefit the student in ministry.

    • Fulfillment of all other general admissions requirements.

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Once admitted, all 30 credit hours of the Doctor of Ministry program must be completed at Luther Rice. 

Transfer credits into the doctoral program are not accepted.

Contact the Enrollment Team for more details on these requirements at 770-484-1204 ext. 5758 or Admissions@LutherRice.edu.

Program Coordinator

Dr. Marcus Merritt

Marcus.Merritt@LutherRice.edu

770-484-1204 ext. 5283

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Merritt personally anytime, or you can reach the Enrollment Team at Admissions@LutherRice.edu or 770-484-1204.