Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctoral course for ministry practitioners. It is distinguished from a Doctor of Philosophy by a coursework component, a shorter thesis, and a focus on the practical application of new knowledge to effective mission and ministry. This degree is intended for those in significant leadership positions in churches, denominational offices, para-church or non-church agencies, and institutions where people want to enhance their research by also applying insights from Christian traditions. It provides a qualification to teach pastoral and mission courses in theological colleges, bible colleges, and seminaries in Australia and overseas.

Enrolment in this Higher Degree by Research course entails application processes which require approval by both Ridley and the Australian College of Theology.

Please note that this course is only offered in part-time mode.

The Doctor of Ministry is an AQF Level 10 Doctoral award whose graduates make a significant and original contribution to knowledge as applied in the context of professional Christian ministry practice.

Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry will be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge

1. Systematic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge of theological, biblical-hermeneutical, and sociological methods as related to specialised aspects of Christian ministry.

Skills

2. Independently and systematically engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation of the body of knowledge related to specialised aspects of Christian ministry.

3. Develop, adapt, integrate, and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing professional practice.

4. Disseminate and promote new insights to peers and the community.

5. Generate original knowledge and understanding to contribute to the professional practice of specialised aspects of Christian ministry.

Application of knowledge and skills

6. Autonomy, authoritative judgment, adaptability and ethical responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner in specialised aspects of Christian ministry.

7. Capacity to collaboratively plan, execute, and evaluate research.

8. Skills as communicators by disseminating their findings to their peers and the wider community.

9. Capacity to be lifelong learners committed to their ongoing development with particular emphasis on their own personhood as Christians within a professional ministry context.

Academic Qualifications:

1. MTh, OR
2. BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Credit in the thesis, OR
3. BTh, BMin or BDiv plus a Graduate Diploma with an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
4. BTh, BMin or BDiv plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS), with an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
5. MDiv or MMin with an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
6. MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with an overall GPA≥2.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
7. MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with an overall GPA≥3.0 and ≥Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
8. MPM with embedded RTP, with satisfactory completion of Research Methods and Confirmation of Candidature and an overall GPA≥2.0, OR
9. Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Ministry study.

• Please contact the Ridley College Registry team for further information.

FoR = Field of Research

Ministry Experience Prerequisites:

1. All applicants must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of significant contribution in their ministry context since completion of their first degree. All applications should include a curriculum vitae, outlining various roles they have undertaken, positions held, major goals, their most significant achievements and an annotated list of 10 books and/or articles that have informed their ministry.
2. Applicants would normally currently be ministry practitioners in positions of significant ministry responsibility, aspiring to positions such as senior pastors, mission/denominational board representatives, tertiary educators, denominational leaders, church planters, mission directors, church consultants, department leaders, or senior positions or researcher positions in work contexts where a specific Christian reflection on their work would be beneficial to their employing organisation.

Professional References:

1. All applicants must submit with their application a letter of commendation from their current employing organisation that comments on the character of the applicant and their capacity to contribute to their denomination, church or institutional employer. This letter must also provide evidence from their employing organisation that the organisation understands the extent of the commitment required over the six years part-time or three years full-time of the degree and agrees to support the candidate to enable them to complete the course.

Language Qualifications for NESB:

1. IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.5 in reading and writing, 7.0 in listening, and 6.5 in speaking.

2024 domestic tuition fees are $2,784 for undergraduate units and $2,976 for graduate units.
2025 domestic tuition fees are $2,853 for undergraduate units and $3,162 for graduate units.

Current postgraduate research course (HDR) fees can be viewed on our fees page.

For more information about tuition fees including overseas student tuition fees, FEE-HELP, and payment information, view tuition fees.

• Graduate Certificate of Divinity
• Graduate Diploma of Divinity