The Doctor of Ministry in Transformational Leadership (DMIN) is a 39-credit-hour program requiring a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 9 years for completion. The DMIN is a professional doctorate designed for men and women who hold the MDIV or its educational equivalent and who have engaged in substantial ministry leadership. In this degree program, you develop transformational leadership competencies in areas such as spirituality, spiritual community, transformational discipleship, organizational leadership, and missional leadership. The curriculum may be completed in three years, although many students take longer due to family, church, and job responsibilities. The required Applied Research Project topic you choose can also encourage you to take longer to complete the degree.
DMIN Program Objectives
The objectives of the Doctor of Ministry degree program are as follows.
- Graduates will evaluate their spiritual life and design a personal or corporate plan for nurturing the inner life. (DMIN-1)
- Graduates will analyze contemporary issues related to developing a spiritual community. (DMIN-2)
- Graduates will apply new discoveries in learning science to their preaching, teaching, and writing. (DMIN-3)
- Graduates will lead their ministry organization through change initiatives using the principles of transformational leadership. (DMIN-4)
- Graduates will evaluate approaches to address or resolve contemporary issues related to helping transform a culture for Christ. (DMIN-5)
- Graduates will develop leadership skills in areas related to God’s call. (DMIN-6)
A summative evaluation of learning in the form of the presentation and oral defense (conference call) of an Applied Research Project is also used to evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives. (DMIN-P)
Doctor of Ministry Degree – 39 Hours
The following 3 courses and 6 seminars are taken in the completion of the Doctor of Ministry degree.
| Required Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) Courses and Seminars | Credit Hours |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone) – Required1st | 1 |
| W7601 Spiritual Life of the Leader | 6 |
| E7601 The Missional Leader | 6 |
| F7601 Building and Nurturing Spiritual Community | 6 |
| D7601 Transformational Discipleship in a Digital Age | 6 |
| M7601 Organizational Leadership | 6 |
| R7103 Research Methodology – Summer 1 | 1 |
| R7105 Project Proposal – Summer 2 | 1 |
| R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) – After Courses/Seminars | 1 |
| R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) – After Comp Exam | 5 |
DMIN Graduation Requirements
To graduate with the Doctor of Ministry degree you must have completed the following:
- all courses, seminars, exams, and the research project within 6 years of taking the first course (Touchstone)
- the 39 credit hours of courses and seminars in the degree program
- a passing grade of “B” (3.0) or higher in every course or seminar counted toward the 39 credit hours
- a passing grade of “B” (3.0) or higher on the Qualifying Exam (Touchstone), Comprehensive Exam (Milestone), and the Applied Research Project (Capstone)
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
DMIN Course Notional Hours of Learning
To be successful in online learning, it is very important to invest sufficient time toward your learning. Though your personal study time will likely vary each week, the volume of learning in meeting all of the course objectives and completing the course is typically as follows.
Academic Engagement – 15 hours per 8-week course
Reading classroom materials, linked websites, and handouts
Viewing classroom audio and video media and linked media
Interacting with fellow students and the professor in discussion forum
Completing surveys, quizzes, exams, and other assessments
Academic Preparation – 30 hours per 8-week course
Offline reading for comprehension
Reading discussion questions
Reflection papers, projects, reports, and assessments
Learning assessments and surveys
Ministry praxis and mentor support
Total Notional Hours – 45 hours per 8-week course
DMIN Seminar Notional Hours of Learning
To be successful in online learning, it is very important to invest sufficient time toward your learning. Though your personal study time will likely vary each week, the volume of learning in meeting all of the course objectives and completing the seminar is typically as follows.
Academic Engagement – 90 hours per 16-week seminar
Reading classroom materials, linked websites, and handouts
Viewing classroom audio and video media and linked media
Interacting with fellow students and the professor in discussion forums
Participating in synchronous video conference call presentations
Academic Preparation – 180 hours per 16-week seminar
Reading textbooks for comprehension
Writing reports, developing projects, completing assignments, studying for exams
Interacting with mentor about course learning on a weekly basis
Practicing learning in current ministry context
Total Notional Hours – 270 hours per 16-week seminar
Applied Research Project
Upon completion of all courses, seminars, and the Comprehensive Examination, you enroll in the R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) course. This self-directed course involves the development and defense of a topic that has potential contribution to the practice of ministry. An Applied Research Project Manual, a Research Design Blueprint, and a Research Design Checklist are provided to you during the R7103 Project Proposal course during which you explore the project protocols.
Students at the Applied Research Project stage of the DMIN program are required to submit project status reports (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/arpstatusform) at least once per 8-week term. These reports are intended to help you continue to make progress toward the completion of the Project, and to keep Rockbridge informed of your progress for academic advisement purposes.
DMIN Applied Research Project Notional Hours of Learning
Though your personal study time will likely vary each week, the volume of learning in meeting all of the course objectives and completing the project is typically as follows.
Academic Engagement – 18 Hours per 52-Weeks
Reading classroom materials, linked websites, and handouts
Viewing classroom audio and video media and linked media
Participating in synchronous video conference hearings
Academic Preparation – 207 Hours per 52 Weeks
Reading precedent literature for comprehension in support of project
Writing chapters, making committee changes, designing presentations
Interacting with Faculty Supervisor and Site Advisor
Practicing research in ministry or service role
Course Copyright Restrictions
All course content, i.e., courseware materials in the classroom, the design of online learning, chat room and discussion forum postings, and any attached files are strictly for the use of Rockbridge Seminary students registered in the course. Course content and materials may be reproduced and used by students in the practice of ministry, assuming proper credit is given to the sources. Student discussion and chat room postings are strictly confidential and may not be copied or distributed apart for the normal learning process as directed by this course.
Academic Calendar
Please see the Rockbridge calendar of significant dates found under Academic Calendar appearing later in this Catalog.
Doctor of Ministry (DMIN) Worksheet
3 One Hour Courses; 6 Six Hour Seminars – 39 semester credit hours
| √ | Required One Hour First Course | Term | Grade |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone) | |||
| √ | Required One Hour Courses | Term | Grade |
| R7103 Research Methodology | |||
| R7105 Project Proposal | |||
| √ | Required Six Hour Seminars | Term | Grade |
| W7601 Spiritual Life of the Leader | |||
| E7601 The Missional Leader | |||
| F7601 Building and Nurturing Spiritual Community | |||
| D7601 Transformational Discipleship in a Digital Age | |||
| M7601 Organizational Leadership | |||
| √ | Required Last Assessments | Term | Grade |
| R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) | |||
| R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
An electronic copy of the Doctor of Ministry Program Worksheet is also available online.
Doctor of Ministry Course Schedule
You may register for one course or one seminar per term. The R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) can only be taken after all courses and seminars are completed. The R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) can only be taken after the Comprehensive exam is completed. Rockbridge Seminary reserves the right to change a course schedule without notice. Please see the Academic Calendar for the start dates for the terms in the course schedule.
2020 – 2021
| Fall 2020-T5 | Fall 2020-T6 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Fall 2020-T5T6 | |
| E7601 The Missional Leader | |
| Spring 2021-T1 | Spring 2021-T2 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Spring 2021-T1T2 | |
| F7601 Building/Nurturing Spiritual Community | |
| Summer 2021-T3 | Summer 2021-T4 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7103 Research Methodology R7105 Project Proposal R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone)
Summer Break |
2021 – 2022
| Fall 2021-T5 | Fall 2021-T6 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Fall 2021-T5T6 | |
| D7601 Transformational Discipleship/Digital Age | |
| Spring 2022-T1 | Spring 2022-T2 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Spring 2022-T1T2 | |
| W7601 Spiritual Life of the Leader | |
| Summer 2022-T3 | Summer 2022-T4 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7103 Research Methodology R7105 Project Proposal R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone)
Summer Break |
2022 – 2023
| Fall 2022-T5 | Fall 2022-T6 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Fall 2022-T5T6 | |
| M7601 Organizational Leadership | |
| Spring 2023-T1 | Spring 2023-T2 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Spring 2023-T1T2 | |
| E7601 The Missional Leader | |
| Summer 2023-T3 | Summer 2023-T4 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7103 Research Methodology R7105 Project Proposal R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone)
Summer Break |
2023 – 2024
| Fall 2023-T5 | Fall 2023-T6 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Fall 2023-T5T6 | |
| F7601 Building/Nurturing Spiritual Community | |
| Spring 2024-T1 | Spring 2024-T2 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Spring 2024-T1T2 | |
| D7601 Transformational Discipleship/Digital Age | |
| Summer 2024-T3 | Summer 2024-T4 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7103 Research Methodology R7105 Project Proposal R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone)
Summer Break |
2024 – 2025
| Fall 2024-T5 | Fall 2024-T6 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Fall 2024-T5T6 | |
| W7601 Spiritual Life of the Leader | |
| Spring 2025-T1 | Spring 2025-T2 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
| Spring 2025-T1T2 | |
| M7601 Organizational Leadership | |
| Summer 2025-T3 | Summer 2025-T4 |
| R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7103 Research Methodology R7105 Project Proposal R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone) |
R7100 The Transformational Leader (Touchstone)
R7101 Comprehensive Exam (Milestone) R7500 Applied Research Project (Capstone)
Summer Break |