Doctor of Ministry Self-Directed Program

Developing Whole and Holy Leaders for the 21st Century

Bethel Seminary’s Self-Directed Doctor of Ministry program has set new standards in graduate theological education. Carefully crafted to meet the needs of today’s leaders, it is:

Convenient—According to your needs
Relevant—For today and tomorrow
Progressive—With an eye to the future
Focused—Head (wisdom), heart (character), hand (pragmatism)
Empathetic—Culturally appropriate with a view to understanding our world

Taught by accomplished ministry professionals from across the nation, the program features two degree tracks, with each track offering three areas of concentration.

Degree Tracks

Program Requirements

Bethel Seminary’s Self-Directed Doctor of Ministry program requires the completion of 48 credits over seven courses. Each course grants six quarter credits upon completion, and the final thesis project grants 12 credits. Courses are offered each year on the St. Paul campus in July. Each course is preceded by assignments, requires one week on campus, and is followed by a project related to the student’s ministry context.

The entire program can be completed in four years at a normal pace of two courses per year and a year for the thesis. Program completion cannot exceed six years. Core courses are as follows:

Church Leadership

Personal Well-being and Ministry Effectiveness
Integral Research and Writing
Thesis Proposal Workshop
Required for all students, regardless of elected track.
Four elective courses (two concentration, two general)

Congregation and Family Care

Whole and Holy, the Person of the Minister
Integral Research and Writing
Thesis Proposal Workshop
Required for all students, regardless of elected track.
Four elective courses (two concentration, two general)

Generalist

Three core courses from declared track
Four elective courses in any concentration
Electives may cross track lines.

Educational Philosophy

Electives are new each year and focus on one or more themes associated with a particular concentration. Our intent is to continually capture the “best ministry practices,” seeking to pinpoint where God is blessing and to incorporate these findings into our course offerings.