Online Doctor of Ministry in Leadership Lead Change and Inspire Faith
30
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Further the Kingdom of God with Liberty University’s DMin in Leadership
Liberty’s online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Ministry Leadership will 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 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.
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’ll 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 will help hone your skills in conflict resolution, management, strategic leadership, decision-making, and long-term planning. You will explore valuable methods for meeting the spiritual needs of those around you and helping your ministry thrive.
Learn how to conduct doctoral research and promote spiritual formation. Within the ministry leadership concentration, you’ll 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’ll be prepared to train and lead staff teams within your church or organization. Additionally, you’ll 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
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.
- View the Graduate Divinity Course Guides (login required).
- You will have a choice between completing a 15-credit-hour thesis project or a 15-credit-hour portfolio.
Degree Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
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) | $2,750 |
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Doctoral Divinity Part Time (0-6.99 or over 15 credit hours) | $395/Credit |
Military Doctoral Divinity Block Rate (7-15 credit hours) | $2,700 |
Military Doctoral Divinity Part Time (0-6.99 or over 15 credit hours)* | $395/Credit |
*Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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 with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Previous education should show at least 18 hours of graduate-level Bible/Theology or ministry-related courses.
- The John W. Rawlings School of Divinity requires you to submit a Professional Vita showing:
- Ministerial experience
- 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).
- 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
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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 – $2,700 per semester*
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder
- 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 $395/credit hour.
Eligible current and former service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more), but the $300/credit hour doctoral military rate cannot be combined with the First Responder Discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership degree?
Earning this degree may open up opportunities for you to publish academic research, teach at a seminary, or become a college professor.
In particular, the ministry leadership cognate will help you qualify for administrative roles within churches, mission agencies, Christian organizations, and parachurch settings.
How long does it take to earn a DMin in Ministry Leadership?
At Liberty, you can complete your DMin in Leadership in as little as 2 years! We offer a fast, flexible path to graduation that lets you earn your degree without putting your life on hold.
Is a DMin in Leadership a terminal degree?
Yes — this is a professional doctorate designed to be the final step in your academic career. You’ll gain practical skills that can be applied directly to your career in ministry.
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.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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