Online DMin | Doctor of Ministry in Leadership

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Credit Hours

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Further the Kingdom of God with Liberty University’s DMin in Leadership

Conferring Liberty’s online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Ministry Leadership could help you develop core leadership skills that can be applied to many different ministry settings. No matter what kind of ministry you are called to, our ministry leadership DMin can help equip you to more effectively serve both believers and non-believers.

Strong Christian leaders are vital in every type of ministry, from teaching and hospitality to music and outreach. Maybe you want to serve directly in a local church, or perhaps you’d like to branch out and work for a Christian organization. Either way, Liberty’s doctorate in ministry leadership can prepare you to share the Gospel, minister to others’ spiritual needs, and train up leaders in the church.

Partner with us and prepare to address the administrative and organizational challenges that arise in Christian ministry settings.

Accreditation

Liberty Theological Seminary, as part of Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

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600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Online DMin Degree in Leadership?

Flexibility | Are you worried that school will get in the way of your other commitments and priorities? If so, we have just what you need! Our Doctor of Ministry program is offered 100% online, and the courses have no set login times. You can earn your degree from the comfort of your home, without needing to relocate or take time off from work.

Respected Credentials | Unlike many online Bible colleges and seminaries, Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, our ministry leadership degree is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

Practical Training | This is a professional doctorate designed to offer hands-on training in ministry, discipleship, and leadership. You can learn how to develop practical solutions to real-world ministry challenges. That way, you can stand out as a leader of excellence and integrity — and equip others to do the same.

What Will You Study in Liberty’s DMin in Leadership Courses?

Liberty’s Doctor of Ministry degree in leadership can help hone your skills in conflict resolution, management, strategic leadership, decision-making, and long-term planning. You can explore valuable methods for meeting the spiritual needs of those around you and helping your ministry thrive.

Explore how to conduct doctoral research and promote spiritual formation. Within the ministry leadership concentration, you can learn how to train up church leaders who are firmly rooted in the Christian faith and skilled at overseeing ministry programs and projects. You’ll also explore how to manage the daily operations of Christian organizations, allowing you to boost your own effectiveness as a ministry leader.

Toward the end of this program, you will either compile a portfolio or complete an extensive thesis project. That way, you can demonstrate your expertise and apply advanced theological concepts to practical ministry problems.

Upon graduation, you can be prepared to train and lead staff teams within your church or organization. Additionally, you can know how to mentor and develop other ministry leaders. With this knowledge, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you and help lead others toward Christ.

Potential Career Opportunities

By earning your Doctor of Ministry at Liberty University, you can pursue a variety of leadership positions within churches, organizations, and institutions of higher education. Some of the roles you may qualify for include:

Discipleship pastor
Lead/senior pastor
Missionary
Seminary professor
Senior church administrator
University professor
Youth pastor

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for many divinity courses* all for one convenient fee.

*Electronic textbooks are not provided for PACO courses or courses that fall under departments outside the School of Divinity.

Doctoral Divinity Block Rate (7-15 credit hours)	$2,850
Doctoral Divinity Part Time (1-6.99 or over 15 credit hours)	$410/Credit
Military Doctoral Divinity Block Rate (7-15 credit hours)	$2,800
Military Doctoral Divinity Part Time (1-6.99 or over 15 credit hours)*	$375/Credit

*Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Doctorate in Ministry Leadership Degree

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree related to the student’s ministry setting or vocational calling with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Previous education should also show at least 18 hours of graduate-level Bible/Theology or ministry-related courses – but these hours do not have to be part of the conferred master’s degree.
The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity requires you to submit a Professional Vita showing:
- Significant ministry experience consistent with the mission of Liberty University
- Experience must be pastoral in nature (pastor, assistant pastor, youth pastor, missionary, etc.) and must be connected to a church body
Statement of Purpose Please submit a 300-word minimum Statement of Purpose detailing the following:
- Your vocational or ministry calling
- Your vocational or ministry goals
- A key ministry problem you feel needs to be addressed in today’s culture, which is appropriate to an advanced professional study
An Ecclesiastical endorsement indicating the agreement of the church (or employing organization) with your participation in the Doctor of Ministry program.
- This is not a recommendation letter from a pastor telling us that they personally recommend the student. This is an endorsement from the church body for someone who will likely do an internship with them at the end of their program.
- Some examples of language within the Ecclesiastical Endorsement that would be acceptable include:
  - We Endorse/We Support/We recommend
  - This is an Ecclesiastical Endorsement
  - I recommend on behalf of the church/board of deacons/church staff
- The endorsement letter must be signed with pen (no typed signatures allowed) and can be faxed, mailed, or scanned and emailed as an attachment.
Submit the School of Divinity Questionnaire (login required).
Department Admission Review approval required – upon all documents being received on the checklist, the application will be sent for admission review by the department. This review can take 1-2 full business days for review (24-48 hours).
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Discounted divinity block rate – $2,800 per semester*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Credits taken below 7 and above 15 credit hours per semester are charged at the part-time rate of $375/credit hour.

Eligible current and former service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more), but the $375/credit hour doctoral military rate cannot be combined with the First Responder Discount.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions for the Online DMin – Doctor of Ministry in Leadership

What can you do with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership degree?

How long does it take to earn a DMin in Ministry Leadership?

Is a DMin in Leadership a terminal degree?

Is Liberty accredited?

Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Your seminary degree is approved by ATS and has met rigorous accreditation standards, so you can feel confident that your degree is both academically excellent and well-respected among churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Are you ready to change your future?

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Online Doctor of Ministry in Leadership Lead Change and Inspire Faith

Further the Kingdom of God with Liberty University’s DMin in Leadership

Accreditation

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online DMin Degree in Leadership?

What Will You Study in Liberty’s DMin in Leadership Courses?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Doctorate in Ministry Leadership Degree

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Military

Frequently Asked Questions for the Online DMin – Doctor of Ministry in Leadership

What can you do with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership degree?

How long does it take to earn a DMin in Ministry Leadership?

Is a DMin in Leadership a terminal degree?

Is Liberty accredited?

Are you ready to change your future?

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