Northeastern will offer Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) as a professional degree that builds on the Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree and a minimum of three years of professional practice.

Unlike Ph.D. which is a research doctorate, the program is over three years and requires a continuing involvement in full-time professional practice while enrolled.

The primary purpose of the new D.Min degree is ‘to equip practicing ministers for professional competence in the practice of ministry.’ The program will require the students to establish a Ministry Committee drawn from the student’s ministry situation.

Creating the Committee is to assure the student’s accountability to the local ministry situation while enrolled in the program. It will serve as a reflection group for discussion of the student’s progress in both ministry and the program and assist the student in formulating and completing the final Ministry Project.

The seminary faculty’s aim is to enhance opportunities for peer learning and evaluation, personal interaction with College as well as Seminary faculty, communal worship, class discussions, and library research.

The Association of Theological Schools’ standard for this professional doctorate is a possession of an ATS-approved M.Div. degree or it’s educational equivalent. The seminary requires at least three years of experience subsequent to the applicant’s graduate theological degree.

The seminary officials believe that graduates of D.Min will: demonstrate an advanced understanding of Scripture and the Christian tradition in relation to spirituality and leadership, demonstrate enhanced competencies in cultural analysis for leadership in the postmodern context, demonstrate an ability to integrate their understanding and competencies into a theologically reflective practice of ministry, and demonstrate continued growth and increased maturity in personal and spiritual formation.