Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry is a professional doctoral course for ministry practitioners designed to be undertaken part-time over six years. It is distinguished from a Doctor of Philosophy by a coursework component, a shorter project (50,000 words) and a focus on the practical application of new knowledge to effective mission and ministry.

The Doctor of Ministry course is designed to enable candidates to make a unique contribution to ministry and mission with their own research and writing. It offers a range of subjects in a variety of formats designed to fit into a busy ministry schedule.

With flexible learning options, we offer an approach to study that is also viable for those who live outside of Melbourne. The assessment is designed so that it can be applied to your area of research interest. Subjects are taught by leading practical theologians in a wide range of topics.

This course is only available to Australian domestic candidates.

Course Details 

Duration	6 years part-time This degree is currently not available for full-time enrolment
Mode	On-campus, Online, Multi-mode
Timing	Part-time Intensive or Extensive Classes Some semester-based subjects available
Course Level	Australian Qualifications Framework Level 10
Subject Level	All coursework subjects must be completed at level 9
Early exit point	Graduate Certificate of Divinity
Admission Requirements	Please consult the ACT Doctor of Ministry page for details of all admission requirements Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing, and 6.5 in listening and speaking OR 10 years in Australia with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work
Graduate Outcomes	Graduates of this course will be qualified for employment in churches, denominational leadership and NGO positions, as well as in teaching pastoral and missions courses in theological colleges and seminaries in Australia and overseas.
Fee Help	Eligible for FEE-HELP
Credit Points	288 (24 subjects each worth 12 credit points); all coursework units must be completed at Level 9.

Course Structure
Candidates complete Research Methods and three Level 9 Ministry and Practice subjects in the coursework phase of the degree (first two part-time years). Where a candidate has already completed an approved Research Methods subject, this requirement can be replaced with another elective.

Learning Pathways
Ridley offers six specialist learning pathways based on the specialisations of faculty and resources available in the Ridley library:

• Leadership
• Preaching
• Public Christianity
• Church Growth and Health
• Cross-cultural Mission
• Youth and Family Ministry

Candidates are asked to choose an area of specialisation based on their proposed research interest as part of the application process; however, it is recognised that their topic may be further developed and refined during the course of their degree.

	Phase	Semester One	Semester Two
Year One	Foundation	Elective Subject (12cps) Personal Formation Subject A	Elective Subject (12cps) · Personal Formation Subject A
Year Two	Foundation	Elective Subject (12 cps) Personal Formation Subject A (formal enrolment; 12 cps)	Research Methods (12 cps) Personal Formation Subject A (formal enrolment; 12 cps)
Year Three	Research	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Subject B	Research Project (24cps) Personal Formation Subject B
Year Four	Research	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Subject B (formal enrolment; 12 cps)	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Subject B (formal enrolment; 12 cps)
Year Five	Research	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Portfolio Subject C	Research Project (24 cps) Conference Participation (12 cps) Personal Formation Portfolio Subject C
Year Six	Research	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Portfolio C (formal enrolment; 12 cps)	Research Project (24 cps) Personal Formation Portfolio C (formal enrolment; 12 cps)

Research Phase
The research phase consists of research in the candidate’s chosen topic with regular supervision by one of Ridley’s specialist faculty members. This phase is undertaken over four years. Supervisors support candidates over this period of personal research and writing and offer feedback and accountability.

Cohorts
A feature of the Doctor of Ministry is the biannual cohort meetings where candidates will discuss their learning, refine their ability for reflective practice, and develop their research skills. A set book is discussed at each each meeting, and a book review submitted for each book. These facilitated cohort gatherings will contribute to a Personal Formation Portfolio to be presented at the end of the course. The content of these cohort meetings, personal reflection, and book reviews constitute the syllabus of Personal Formation A (years 1 and 2), Personal Formation B (years 2 and 3), and Personal Formation Portfolio (years 5 and 6).

Additional Entry Requirements
As well as suitable previous academic qualifications in theology and ministry as described on the ACT Doctor of Ministry page, the following ministry experience prerequisites are required:

• A minimum of five years of significant contribution to a ministry context since completion of the first ministry degree
• Applicants are currently ministry practitioners
• A letter of commendation from the applicant’s current employing body
• Written confirmation from the employing body that it understands the extent of the commitment required and agrees to support the candidate to enable them to complete the course

Applicants without a research project as part of a previous degree may apply for recognised prior learning based on their ministry experience, professional development, and CV.

Please contact Alison Flynn on registrar@ridley.edu.au for further information and application forms for this degree.

Apply now

This is a course of the Australian College of Theology.
ACT information about this course can be accessed here.