In the last two decades, the wily old PhD has been challenged by a feisty upstart, the Doctor of Ministry. High-achieving individuals dedicated to some field of theology, biblical studies, or pastoral ministry often hop back and forth between the two, wondering which better fits their needs and life situation.
First, some terminology. Let’s begin with the Doctor of Philosophy. In North America, this research degree is usually abbreviated Ph.D, while in Great Britain PhD is more common. There are variants, of course. Harvard University and Harvard Divinity School, for example, offer both a Ph.D. and a Th.D. The latter abbreviates Doctor of Theology. Although there are fierce debates inside Harvard regarding the equivalence (or not) of the two degrees, people on the outside generally regard them as two variants of the same course of study. On the other side of the Atlantic, Oxford University offers the DPhil.
For our purposes, we’ll group these variations together and refer to them collectively as the PhD. This is a research degree with a book-length thesis serving as one of its anchors. In effect, one hones one’s research skills either after a course of doctoral classes (the common scheme in North America) or by way of the research and ‘writing up’ itself (a distinctive of the British PhD, which requires little or no formal coursework).
A conventional distinction that still serves as a point of departure holds that the PhD is an academic or research degree in contrast to the D.Min, which is a professional degree.
Let’s get into that: the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) has flourished among clergy and related professionals during the past twenty-five years. Seminaries that never imagined themselves offering a doctorate now have active D.Min. programs whose enrollment sometimes rivals or even exceeds its coterie of Master’s Degrees.
Clarity on one point is essential: the PhD and the D.Min. are not variations on a common theme. They are completely different programs of study. This reality alone should ease the angst of the aspiring student who cannot decide which fork in the road makes the best sense. In truth, they are two completely different roads traversing the same theological-ministerial terrain.
It stand to reason, then, that the D.Min. is neither a mini-PhD nor a PhD lite. It is something else altogether.
Let’s talk about how that works.
The PhD in theology or biblical studies is intended to hone the intellectual skills required to form thought leaders in these fields. In the right hands, it can provide immense benefit in pastoral or other ecclesial situations, but that is a side effect rather than a principal objective. In biblical studies, for example, one typically masters a range of ancient and modern languages and achieves control over the scholarly literature in question. Since the thesis or dissertation is a kind of first book written by the student on his particular field of endeavor, the PhD (I use the term now of the person who has earned one) is already in theory a publishing scholar. This dissertation, written under the guidance of one or more mature scholars in the field, is defended before a committee, panel, or small group of fellow scholars whose job is to insure their constituencies that its author possesses the skills required of the guild.
There are of course very good thinkers with PhDs. There are also very bad ones. The difference is measured not only in lucidity of thought but also in the contribution one makes over a career to advancing the scholarly argument and teaching or mentoring others who will do so in turn.
PhDs in theology often serve outside the academic world (‘the academy’) with stellar results, though this demands formidable powers of translation in order to move beyond the intellectual habits and the native vocabulary of the academy.
The D.Min. developed in order to fill a vacuum of learning opportunity that was perceived to exist in the lives of clergy who had earned a conventional Master’s Degree (usually the Master of Divinity or M.Div.) and then accrued five or more years of vocational service. What was to be done with such a promising, experienced, teachable professional who did not desire to leave his ministerial employment or whose life circumstances precluded such a move?
The D.Min. was touted as the answer. Usually undertaken as a part-time course of study intended to mesh with the student’s ongoing professional concerns, the D.Min. often has minimal residence requirements (some of the best meet once a year for two weeks over three years). One of the emerging trends that has proven most useful is the ‘cohort system’, whereby professionals enroll and make their way through the D.Min. curriculum as fellow travelers. Veterans of the program often cite the learning that takes place among cohort peers to be a most valuable part of the experience.
As with the PhD, the D.Min. is usually shepherded by one or two respected mentors. In addition to completing the coursework—usually a premium is placed on the integration of the theoretical work with one’s life and professional situation—the student completes a thesis-like project.
Typically, one graduates not to a new position in an institution that has recruited the student but rather to enhanced performance in the place one is already laboring. The D.Min. is not usually seen as a credential that opens the door to a teaching position in the academy, though countless D.Min.’s add value to the seminary process by serving as adjunct professors or lecturers in their area of expertise.
Both the ancient PhD and the relatively novel D.Min. are moving targets. Readers of this post who know one or both of the programs well will already have cringed at some egregious generalization I’ve made in this brief sketch. Perhaps others will have gained some clarity in the distinctions that make these two doctoral programs completely different courses of study. Each one stands on its own merits. Each one can be done well and done badly, depending on the competence of the host institution and the efforts of its professors, mentors, and students.
Both demand time and money, though the PhD asks for more of both. In the experience of the student, each can be a thing of beauty or a spectacular train wreck.
You decide.
Appreciate the analysis. I’m going through that decision-making process right now. But I think I will be going with the D.Min.
I thank you for the insight. I am leaning towards the PH.D.
¡Vaya con Dios!
Hi, David,
I have been reflecting on your comments in this post, as well as, on your past post, “Who should (and should not) pursue a PhD in theology…” Thank you for your words.
I have two or three years left to complete my MDiv., but would like to begin preparing for Ph.D studies as I finish the MDiv. This fall term- 09 I will also be in a 9 month church internship with the possibility of a longer term. Are there steps that I can take now to better organize my course work in order to help me with taking comps? How can I best use my MDiv journey to assist my doctoral work?
I appreciate any assistance, thank you David!
Dear Angela,
Congratulations on your diligence and forward-looking approach to your studies!
I think the answer to your questions depends quite a lot on the kind of PhD you envisage. If you want to tell me more about those middle- and long-term plans (either here or off-line), I’ll do my best to reply helpfully.
Thanks for reading canterbridge!
David
Hello David: My name is Tony Harris and I am currently a second year student in a M.Div program. I would like to continue towards a Ph.D. Being that a D.Min requires a three year gap before applying for the D.Min I would like to continue moving forward without putting off my education for three additional years, which is a total of six years actually. Would the best route be to prepare for the GRE and pursue the Ph.D?
Dear Tony,
Thanks for your question.
Knowing only the details that you have included in your comment, I would encourage you to choose the degree program on its merits. Unless unique circumstances dictate otherwise, it is seldom wise to choose on time criteria alone. I hope this helps.
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue. I am seriously contemplating doing a DMin. I have a few years of ministry experience and plan to stay in the ministry. However, I would like to keep my doors open to teaching in the future–possibly in a bible college or seminary. I know the chances of ever teaching with a DMin are slimmer or much slimmer. I’ve also toyed with the idea of a PhD (it’s a dream) but the reality of the cost and time in doing a PhD scares me.
Are there any important factors I need to consider to weigh out my decision-making–DMin vs PhD?
Dear Kevin,
Thanks for your post.
It sounds to me as though you are well familiar with the lay of the land and weighting all the relevant factors.
Since you might want to teach in an academic setting, don’t give up on the PhD before exploring emerging trends towards non-residence and part-time PhD work. You might be able to have the best of both worlds, which—given your aspirations—could be a worthwhile thing to pursue.
Thanks again.
David
Thank you, Professor, for laying this out. You helped me clarify my intentions, and given me some thoughts to share with my family, whose support I need and want in this process.
I have an MDiv and have pastored for ten years. It has become who I am and, I believe, what God has made of me. I believe I should cooperate with this work, thus making the DMin the more likely option.
Again, my sincere thanks!
Hi Barb,
Thanks for your very warm post. Are you the Barb Kenley who serves Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne? If so, I’m a fellow (transplanted) Hoosier.
David
David,
Thanks for your review of these two degrees. When looking at seminary faculty, I notice that some professors have both a D.Min and a Ph.D. Which would be considered the terminal degree?
Dear Helen,
Thanks for your post. Both the D.Min. and the Ph.D. are considered terminal degrees in that they do not ordinarily lead on to subsequent formal studies along the same track.
On seminary faculties, profs who hold the D.Min. have normally (but not always) placed their own emphasis on the practice of ministry. Profs holding the Ph.D. have normally (but, again, not always) placed the accent upon research. This is a very rough distinction, of course.
David
Hi David,
Thanks for your short essay. I like your comments and appreciate your objectivity in refusing to appaud one by denigrating the other. Yes, one is older and has a fine pedigree. The other – your “feisty upstart” – is intended to fill a practioner’s lacuna. The 2 are quite different animals and you’re right in refusing to term one as “mini” or “lite.” I found an article by Rodney J Hunter – “Really Great D Min Programs – and Why They Are Critically Important Today” – very well-thought out and persuasive. I haven’t read your other pieces but would you like to tell us more of your choice? I’ve 2 masters’ degrees and have started on a DMin but I’m finding it tough holding a full-time job while doing doctoral-level work. The answer, I suspect, lies in reducing the amount of work.
All the best.
Richard
Thanks very much for the essay regarding the D.Min and PhD. After 25 years in full-time missions in restricted access nations I am now completing my second year M.Th. I would like a future in teaching, specifically in missions. Most of the professors I have met in the USA and UK are western males. Beyond the sense of personal achievement I wonder if the PhD would be worth it for a Majority World woman.
Dear Usha,
Thanks for your post. I’m sure I can’t answer the ‘worth it’ question, since there are so many local and personal variables in play. Nor is it clear to me from your post whether your reference to professors in the USA and UK means you would be looking to use doctoral credentials in the West.
I *do* know of a significant number of ‘western’ institutions that are aggressively diversifying their faculty. Some of them are well down the road in doing so.
All best,
David
Dear David,
Yes I am looking at studying in the UK and teaching in the US and/or UK. Most likely teaching in the US as my husband is American. Although I am a Hindu background believer, I was born and raised in the UK. As far as education goes, for Asians, it is always worth it. I want to make the most of my education and experience of working amongst Muslims for future Christian service.
I do not have a network that connects me to western institutions as yet, but I do have a few more years. Hopefully the that will change in the future.
Thanks so much for your answering my question and giving me something to aim towards.
Sincerely,
Usha