Rooted in Faith, Approved by the State, Online, and Affordable: Your Path to Christian Education in California
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
A 60-credit professional doctorate for mature Christian ministers and practitioners, centred on supervised ministry formation, public witness, pastoral or mission service, critical theological reflection, and a final ministry impact portfolio.
Professional Doctorate
60 doctoral credits
Supervised online + correspondence
Professional practice doctorate
The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctorate in advanced Christian ministry practice. It forms ministers, teachers, chaplains, evangelists, marketplace servants, and ministry leaders through supervised service, critical theological reflection, evidence of improvement, and accountable Christian formation. It is not a PhD and does not require a research dissertation; its doctoral standard is demonstrated through a coherent ministry problem, informed design, independent judgment, original application, sustained evaluation, and a final completion review.
Designed for mature Christian practitioners with substantive ministry or closely related service who have an appropriate ministry setting and want to deepen the quality, accountability, theological maturity, and demonstrable impact of their service. It is particularly suited to ministers, teachers, chaplains, evangelists, marketplace servants, and ministry leaders able to document practice, reflection, improvement, and responsible Christian formation over time.
60 doctoral credits across five assessed blocks: formation plan (10), teaching and discipleship practicum (15), public witness/media portfolio (15), pastoral and community practicum (10), and final ministry-impact portfolio (10).
For full module titles, credit details, descriptors, assessment information, and route-specific requirements, use the detailed Programme Guide.
Ministry formation plan
Teaching & discipleship practicum
Public witness & media ministry
Pastoral & community engagement
Evaluation of ministry impact
Final professional review
Study is supervised online and by correspondence, with communication and submission arrangements suitable for serious doctoral work, including lower-bandwidth access where needed. Assessment follows route-specific doctoral deliverables and published rubrics. Credit is awarded for demonstrated achievement, and every required component, integrity gate, correction, and final examination or completion review must be passed.
Applicants normally hold a relevant master's degree or approved equivalent and normally have at least three years of substantive ministry or closely related Christian service. The application requires verifiable academic records, two examples of ministry work, a ministry reference, access to a suitable practice setting, adequate writing capacity, Christian and ethical maturity, and fit with the DMin pathway.
Normally 24-48 months; earliest normal final submission at 18 months; maximum active registration 60 months
OCU does not guarantee employment, professional licensure, ordination, immigration outcomes, transfer credit, credential evaluation, admission elsewhere, or recognition by third parties. If you have a specific external requirement, please confirm it directly with the relevant authority before enrolling. Current charges are maintained separately on the Fees and Charges page.
Ready to explore this programme?
Apply when you are ready, or review the detailed programme guide before making your decision.
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