An advanced professional program for those with a Master of Divinity degree and at least three years of post-M.Div. ministerial experience.

Description

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree at Louisville Seminary is a structured program of lifelong learning designed for those who are seeking

• A renewal of a sense of vocation to ministry,
• A commitment to excellence in pastoral work and academic study.
• A supportive and safe group of colleagues with whom one can learn and grow.
• An opportunity to do genuine advanced academic study of the cutting edge of theological biblical, theological and practical bases of ministry
• A chance to join the Louisville Seminary learning community in exploring the experience of ministry
  in varied contexts.

At Louisville, the D.Min. is designed with enough structure to help a busy religious leader negotiate the academic requirements, and with enough flexibility to pursue individual needs and interests. In the first two years of the program, students stay with a continuing learning group through four seminars of one or two weeks duration. New learning groups are formed in January of each year. Each seminar is team taught by a resident LPTS professor and a seasoned pastor adjunct professor. Advanced courses and a learning project in ministry complete the requirements for the degree.

Choice of Four Tracks

Advanced Practice of Ministry
The Advanced Practice of Ministry (APM) track focuses on theological reflection in one of the areas of ministerial practice: homiletics, worship, Christian education, evangelism, new church development, congregational redevelopment, church administration, and pastoral care. A personalized approach to DMin studies makes it possible for the candidate to discuss other specializations with an advisor.

Course of Study

Pastoral Care and Counseling
The DMin in Pastoral Care and Counseling (PC&C) is designed to offer a flexible advanced program of training that leads to doctoral level competence in the practice of pastoral care or counseling. This may include meeting requirements for:

1. Clinical membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC),
2. A state counseling license (LMFT, LPC or equivalent,
3. Board Certified Professional Chaplain (Association of Professional Chaplains),
4. AAPC or ACPE supervisory credentials, or 5. Specific competence in parish pastoral care.

Prerequisite: One unit of CPE.

Course of Study

Interim Ministry
The Interim Ministry track provides advanced theological study in interim ministry. The program allows for the frequent transitions of interim ministry. Personal leadership skills and understanding ministry contexts are subjected to deepening theological and biblical reflection. The interim pastor has a unique opportunity to integrate theory and practice in special research into ministry in transition times.

Course of Study

Black Church Studies
Fulltime pastors with three years of post-M.Div. experience, and experienced counselors, chaplains, denominational, and para-church officials are invited to apply for the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program at Louisville Seminary. The D.Min. degree program offers tracks in Advanced Practice of Ministry, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Interim Ministry, and Black Church Studies. The new Doctor of Ministry with a Black Church Studies focus consists of four required seminars and three advanced professional (elective) seminars taken in Black Church Studies. Louisville Seminary will offer three courses that will fulfill this concentration during its January and June courses.

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Admission, Application, and Requirements

Considerable work is required in preparation for the Seminars. Seminar I is offered each January and June. A $60 application fee is required. Application deadline for January admission: October 1. The Advanced Degrees Committee bases its admission decisions on the following criteria (not necessarily in this order or priority)

• An accredited B.A. or B.S. and a B.D. or M.Div. or its equivalent.
• “B” average (3.0 of 4.0 scale) or higher in M.Div. work.
• Minimum of three years post-M.Div. ministry experience.
• Completion of basic interim ministry education consisting of two weeks of course work and a practicum, either through the applicant’s denomination or the Interim Ministry Network (Interim Ministry).
• Experience in at least one interim ministry setting (Interim Ministry).
• Recommendation from the appropriate officer of the applicant’s denominational structures (Interim Ministry).
• References from another interim pastor who knows the applicant’s work, a layperson from an interim ministry setting, an ecclesiastical supervisor, and a faculty member in the applicant’s interim education experience.
  (Interim Ministry).
• Currently engaged in a recognized form of professional ministry.
• References from a peer in ministry, a layperson, an ecclesiastical supervisor, official church body, and former professor.
• Clarity, viability, need, and seriousness of objectives (why the candidate is pursuing the D.Min.).
• Availability of Seminar I openings.

An interview with the Advanced Degrees Committee or a visit to a career counseling center or both may be required.

Application
Seminar I is offered each January. A $62 application fee is required. Application deadline for January admission is October 1. The application and reference forms can be completed and submitted with the application fee online.

D.Min. Application Center

Tuition Costs
Louisville Seminary has a flat fee for DMin tuition:

• $8,000 Advanced Practice of Ministry Track
• $8,000 Interim Ministry Track
• $9,000 Pastoral Care and Counseling Track

Tuition is paid in installments in the first two years of enrollment. Additional costs include books, travel, lodging and meals for the seminars and classes. DMin students ordinarily finance their degree expenses through a combination of congregational study-leave allowances, denominational or foundation grants, tax-free educational savings accounts, and personal budgeting.

Location of Classwork and Accommodations
All seminars and classes are held at Louisville Seminary, located at the intersection of two beautiful city parks in eastern Louisville. Students are encouraged to stay in the on-campus Lifelong Learning facility, Laws Lodge Retreat and Conference Center. All guest rooms have private bath, phone, television, and wireless internet access. The Seminary dining room is open weekdays for breakfasts and lunches.

Access to Seminary’s theological library is further supplemented by close proximity to the libraries of other local seminaries and universities in the Metroversity consortium.

Louisville, Kentucky, located on the Ohio River, is home not only to the Kentucky Derby, but also to the University of Louisville, a minor league baseball team, the Louisville “Bats,” many excellent arts opportunities including an outstanding repertory theater, Actors Theater, and an unusual number of fine restaurants and exciting night life.

Contact Information

If you need more information, please write, call, e-mail, or Fax your request to:

Dr. David R. Sawyer, Director
Lifelong Learning and Advanced Degrees
Louisville Seminary
1044 Alta Vista Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40205-1798

800.264.1839 or 502.895.3411, ext. 372
502.992.9372, direct line
Fax 502.894.2286
E-mail: dsawyer@lpts.edu