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Applicants must hold a completed master's degree in a ministry-related field from an accredited institution. Applicants not holding a ministry-related master's degree may be admitted by demonstrating the ability to thoughtfully understand and explain the Bible and their theological tradition, adapt their ministry to their context, clearly understand their ministerial identity/role and vocational calling, and a commitment to ongoing personal and spiritual growth. Applicants submit an admission application, including essays, transcripts, resumés, and other relevant materials to address these standards.

Students in this general track of the DMin program at Portland Seminary do not journey with a cohort, but rather complete the coursework through a specialized study approach in limited instances and with DMin Director approval. The customized model meets both student needs and program outcomes. This option is designed for transfer or readmitted students who have started doctoral studies but have not yet completed the DMin degree.

Graduates of the DMin will:

• Apply a theological integration to gain a critical understanding of ministry.
• Develop skills and contextual competencies to identify, frame, and respond to crucial ministry issues to address through research.
• Enhance effectiveness as ministry leaders in their chosen settings by contributing to the understanding and practice of ministry through the completion of a doctoral-level project.

• Completed master's degree in a ministry-related field from an accredited institution. Applicants not holding a ministry-related master's degree may be admitted by demonstrating the ability to thoughtfully understand and explain the Bible and their theological tradition, adapt their ministry to their context, clearly understand their ministerial identity/role and vocational calling, and a commitment to ongoing personal and spiritual growth. Applicants submit an admission application, including essays, transcripts, resumés, and other relevant materials to address these standards.
• Competitive grade point average reflected on your official transcripts - Transcript evaluators give greater weight to graduate-level courses and more recent transcripts
• Documentation of significant ministerial experience/context (from CV or resumé) that enables the applicant to engage as a ministry peer with other students and in the research sequence in this advanced professional doctorate
• Evidence of an advanced level of competence and reflection in the practice of ministry beyond the master's level 
• Doctoral-level writing skills
• Computer and basic computer skills - Applicants must own or have access to a computer with up-to-date software proper software (current software applications) and a reliable internet connection, and be proficient with Microsoft Word.
• An entrance interview with the director of the Doctoral program (by invitation only)

Non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL score of 80 (Internet-based) or IELTS 6.5 and complete the Declaration of Finance. For more information, international applicants can reference the International Graduate Admissions page.

Based on an assessment of these factors, applicants may be accepted, denied, or asked to provide further information or complete additional coursework to create a pathway for meeting eligibility in light of the ATS criteria.

Transfer credit from another doctoral program may be allowed up to 24 semester hours. The transferability of credits earned at Portland Seminary, and transferred to another institution, is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the DMin Director and Associate Director for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

All work leading to the DMin must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires the approval of the DMin Committee. Program extension requests must be received prior to the conclusion of the seventh year, citing extenuating circumstances and specifying an expected date of completion. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the dissertation continuation until completion. DMIN 905 is required for students who do not finish their dissertation research within the minimum of 4 hours. DMIN 905 is repeatable each fall and spring semester until the dissertation is finished.

The Doctor of Ministry program is generally three years in length, with 36 semester hours of coursework required as a minimum for graduation. Students that transfer in credit will progress toward program completion at varying paces.

Students are eligible for admission to candidacy upon completion of all coursework (32 semester hours). To qualify as a doctoral candidate, each student must:

1. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no course grade lower than a B-
2. Submit a topic for the final dissertation and gain approval from the Dissertation Advisor

Students advanced to candidacy continue in the program. Students not advanced to candidacy are given specific guidelines for reevaluation. The Doctor of Ministry office will notify students of their status following the second year of the program.

Track 1 Dissertation

This track of the Doctor of Ministry program includes the design and completion of a dissertation. The DMin dissertation addresses both the nature and the practice of ministry. As such, the goal of the dissertation is not to offer a unique contribution to ministry in general, but to apply theological research skills to a significant real-world ministry problem. Students are paired with a Dissertation Advisor who will guide them in the research, development, and completion of the dissertation from the outset of the program. The dissertation involves research and writing at both the theoretical and practical levels. It also serves to evaluate the student's competency in a specialized area of ministry related to his or her personal experience and interest. By engaging in the research courses and through the support of a Dissertation Advisor, each student receives guidance in choosing a research topic and preparing a proposal for the dissertation. As a prerequisite to candidacy, the student's proposal is submitted to the Dissertation Advisor for approval. When the dissertation is complete, the candidate submits the dissertation to two advisors: the Dissertation Advisor and a Secondary Advisor selected by the DMin Committee. As part of the evaluation, the candidate must give an oral defense of the dissertation before the advisors.

Track 2 Dissertation (Optional)

As an optional alternative to the traditional (written) dissertation, students may produce a Track 2 Dissertation, which is composed of two parts: a Track 2 Artifact and a Written Statement. The Written Statement explains the theoretical underpinnings of the Dissertation. The Track 2 Artifact incarnates a practical, real-world solution to the stated ministry problem utilizing one or more of the following media forms: audio, video, web, print. When completed, the candidates submit the Track 2 Dissertation, which includes both the Written Statement and Track 2 Artifact, to the Dissertation, Secondary, and when necessary, Expert Advisors. As part of the evaluation, the candidate must give an oral defense of the dissertation before the advisors.

To graduate with the doctor of ministry degree students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Achieve no grade lower than a B- in all core courses. If a C+ or lower grade is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken, or the grade must be improved as outlined by the course instructor's approval and direction.
• Complete any additional MDiv equivalency courses, as may be required.
• Successfully defend the dissertation.
• Be recommended by the seminary faculty for graduation from 糖心logo入口.