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Doctor of Ministry in Leadership (DMin)

Our Doctor of Ministry in Leadership (DMin) provides you with the opportunity to strengthen your leadership via an Anabaptist framework.

This advanced, professionally oriented 32-credit-hour degree is designed to meet your needs as a pastor or leader. In our DMin program, you鈥檒l join other highly motivated and experienced practitioners, from diverse faith traditions, to increase your leadership capacity, adaptability and resilience.

Our DMin program will prepare you for religious leadership in many settings, including appropriate teaching roles.

Hear from three DMin students who are AMBS alumni about their experience in the DMin program! Featuring Janeen Bertsche Johnson (MDiv 1989), Marlene Kroeker (MDiv 2000) and Doug Luginbill (MDiv 1997)

Developed from an Anabaptist perspective

Our DMin is the first Doctor of Ministry degree available in the United States to be deliberately developed from an Anabaptist perspective. The program鈥檚 design and focus emerged from consultations with pastors and leaders who identified resonance between Anabaptist values and leadership needs present in the church today.

In our program, you’ll engage in doctoral studies while based in your professional ministry or leadership context. Our carefully crafted curriculum will provide you with a cohort of peer learners, regular faculty interaction and a mentoring group. While studying, you’ll attend a week of residency on campus every January for three years.

The DMin program is open to U.S. and Canadian citizens or residents who can travel to participate in the required annual weeklong residencies on the AMBS campus. Learn more about admissions requirements and other frequently asked questions.

Learn through competency-based education!

AMBS’s DMin program uses a competency-based approach. Competency-based education is an integrative model that merges highly defined learning outcomes with flexible learning plans designed to align with your individual goals.

Through our competency-based approach, our DMin program will help you develop a robust knowledge base and improve your reflective-practitioner skills.

Ultimately, this program develops integrated expertise in five key competencies:

  • Anabaptist Leadership
  • Intercultural Leadership
  • Teaching Leadership
  • Change Leadership
  • Resilient Leadership 

An overview of our Doctor of Ministry curriculum

The 32-credit degree is meant to be completed in three years, with these primary components:

Core Leadership Courses (include on-campus intensive week)

Each of these three-credit hour classes will meet on the AMBS campus for a week of intensive residency in January, with online work for the remainder of the term (nine credits).

Core Leadership Courses include:

Year One: Leadership Foundations: Knowing, Being, Doing

An introduction to competency-based education, primary resources in leadership studies, and the process of developing an individualized Competency Development Plan.

Year Two: Christian Leadership Theory

An exploration of leadership as an academic discipline, with a focus on integrating leadership theories with biblical and Anabaptist theological themes and commitments.

Year Three: Leadership in Context

A research methods course that prepares and guides students towards the completion of their Doctoral Research Project proposals.

Competency Development Plan

Each student draws on their Competency Development Plan to design a customized plan of study to develop and demonstrate mastery of each competency. Students delve into each competency in a distinct three-credit-hour directed study course overseen by a Faculty of Record. (Fifteen credits)

Doctoral Research Project

Following approval of their project proposal, doctoral students will research, write, and defend a project that focuses on a specific professional context towards generating new knowledge on the professional practice of ministry. (Seven credits)

Leadership Portfolio

The DMin Leadership Portfolio and reflection will synthesize learnings from the core courses, competencies and research project. This will be presented and evaluated as the final requirement of the degree. (One credit)

We provide a professional degree and we're ready to welcome you.

Ready to take the next step?

We鈥檙e excited to walk alongside you as you take each step on your journey. Together we can experience the transformative presence of God in the work of being leaders for God鈥檚 reconciling mission in the world.

Key dates

  • Sept. 15: Application materials, including the application fee, are due for the cohort that begins in January. Apply now 鈥 U.S. | Apply now 鈥 Canadian/International
  • Oct. 15: Admissions decisions will be communicated to applicants by this date
  • Jan. 13鈥17, 2025: On-campus intensive week (Monday to Friday)
  • Jan. 13 鈥 May 2, 2025: First class continues online
  • May 12 鈥 Aug. 15, 2025: DMin Summer Term (online)

Financing the degree

Responsibility for meeting the costs of this program belongs to the student, the congregation or agency served, and the denomination of which the student is a member. Continuing education funds, congregational or agency grants, and local, regional, and national denominational scholarship programs are all sources of funds.

Based on AMBS鈥檚 low tuition cost ($590 per credit in 2024-25), the total tuition cost of the Doctor of Ministry degree will be approximately $18,000, with additional expenses for travel and other fees. Doctoral students will pay by the credit hour as they enroll in courses, and they can expect to pay approximately $2,000 three times per year for tuition. AMBS scholarships and financial aid are not available for the Doctor of Ministry program.

AMBS offers students a wide variety of flexible payment plans, including monthly, no-fee payments. Title IV federal loans will be available for this program for any term in which students enroll for at least 4.5 credits.

Frequently asked questions

How is Competency-Based Education (CBE) different from other methods?

Competency-Based Education is an integrative model that merges highly defined learning outcomes with highly flexible learning plans designed to align with the goals of each student. The US Department of Education recognizes two types of CBE programs: (1) course-based programs; and (2) direct assessment programs.

The AMBS DMin is a 鈥渃ourse-based鈥 CBE program with three primary parts of the curriculum, each met through distinct credit hours: a set of three core courses, an Individual Leadership Development Plan (IDLP) with learning activities designed to develop mastery of each competency, and a Doctoral Research Project.

What are the admission requirements?
  1. MDiv with a minimum GPA of 3.0, as evidenced by an official transcript; or MA in a theological discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0, as evidenced by an official transcript, with additional requirements, including credentials for ministry. 
  2. Significant ministry and/or relevant leadership experience since completion of the MDiv/MA; for more information, see the point, “How does AMBS define ‘significant ministry and/or relevant leadership experience’?”
  3. An essay in which the applicant explains their interest in studying leadership in an Anabaptist context and reflect on why the five leadership competencies (Anabaptist, intercultural, teaching, change, and resilient) are relevant to their ministry and leadership development.
  4. Three professional references who are familiar with the applicant鈥檚 leadership gifts, academic abilities, theological understanding, and self-initiative.
  5. Writing sample representing academic capabilities.
  6. Application fee ($100).
I鈥檓 in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa. Can I apply?

It depends on the visa type. Different non-immigration visas have different allowances for whether or not the individual (or their spouse) can study towards a degree while on that visa, and if so, whether they can study full time or part time.

How does AMBS define 鈥淢A in a theological discipline鈥?

Theological disciplines include ministry studies, church history, theological studies, faith-based peace studies, chaplaincy, faith formation, Christian spirituality, mission/missiology, biblical studies and Christian leadership.

How does AMBS define 鈥渟ignificant ministry and/or relevant leadership experience鈥?

A minimum of three years of full-time equivalent ministry and/or relevant experience following the awarding of the MDiv; or for those who graduated from the AMBS MDiv Connect program, six years of half-time (or more) equivalent ministry and/or relevant experience during and/or following enrollment in the MDiv Connect; or a minimum of six years of full-time equivalent ministry and/or relevant leadership experience following the awarding of the MA in a theological discipline.

What are the parameters for the expected current ministry/leadership context?

Examples of current work contexts that will align well with DMin studies at AMBS may include:

  • Pastoral role(s)
  • Church agency or faith-based non-profit leadership
  • Spiritual direction practice
  • Faith-based counseling practice
  • Teaching in a Christian education context
  • Faith-based relief/development or missions work

Other current contexts are possible, with strong articulation from the applicant for why their current ministry/leadership context is relevant to the educational outcomes of the degree.

How can the DMin degree benefit congregations?

When someone completes a master鈥檚 degree at seminary, they have a solid foundation for beginning work in credentialed ministry. But as time goes on, astute people in congregational life realize that what their pastor learned about leadership long ago, sometimes decades ago, no longer works as well in a rapidly changing context. To continue being effective, their pastor needs further education.

Graduates of the DMin in Leadership will help their congregation (or other organization) to:

  • Be more resilient when unforeseen events happen
  • Adapt to intercultural relationships
  • Use thoughtful processes to navigate changes the church wants or needs to make
  • Deepen the church鈥檚 biblical and theological insights
  • Strengthen its Anabaptist identity

In addition, the church benefits from having leaders who have fresh ideas and new enthusiasm for congregational life.

Why is AMBS not giving need-based financial aid or scholarships for the DMin?

To prioritize increasing access for more people to prepare theologically for pastoral and other ministry roles, AMBS offers substantial financial support to the MA and MDiv level of study, which are considerably more expensive than the DMin degree. The DMin is intended for more established ministry and leadership practitioners who are more likely to have access to other avenues of support, including work-funded professional development resources.

How can I best financially plan for this investment in my education?

Interested students are encouraged to assess the following:

  • Your own budget for managing three tuition payments of approximately $2,000 each, and travel expenses for one week on campus, every year for three years; and/or
  • The level of congregational or professional development support you can expect.

Also, explore the availability of grants and/or scholarships that may be available from entities that are motivated to strengthen leadership for the church. These could include denomination, conference and mission agency leadership development funds, as well as individual donors. 

Consider your capacity to responsibly use federal or other loans, keeping in mind that the total cost of this program is relatively low for doctoral studies.

Are AMBS employees eligible to be DMin students? Is the employee discount available for the DMin?

AMBS employees and spouses have access to tuition discounts for courses serving the MDiv and MA degrees. This tuition discount is not available for the DMin. 

To ensure adequate space for other students, there will be a limit of up to one AMBS employee per cohort.

What is the application deadline?

Application materials are available online.

Application materials, including the application fee, are due Sept. 15. New cohorts begin each January.

Admissions decisions will be communicated by Oct. 15.

Apply now

The application process that AMBS requires for the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership program:

  • Completed Doctor of Ministry In Leadership Admissions Application
  • $100 USD nonrefundable application fee
  • Transcripts of academic credit for undergraduate- and graduate-level coursework
  • Contact information for three professional references who are highly familiar with your leadership gifts, academic abilities, theological understanding and self-initiative:
    • an employer reference (e.g. current supervisor, board chair)
    • pastoral reference (e.g. pastoral colleague, conference minister, congregational coach)
    • an academic reference (e.g. professor, academic advisor) from the institution of your last degree
  • A resume, CV or other document summarizing relevant experiences to this program
  • A sample of your academic writing (guidelines appear in the application)
  • Completed and signed background check forms

Application materials are available online. The application materials, including the application fee, are due Sept. 15 for the cohort that begins in January.

Guided by experienced program leaders

(l. to r.) AMBS Doctor of Ministry Program Co-Directors Dan Schrock, DMin, and Jewel Gingerich Longenecker, PhD

Jewel Gingerich Longenecker, PhD (MA 1992) (at right), serves as DMin Director and Dan Schrock, DMin (at left), serves as DMin Curriculum Specialist. Together they oversee the program鈥檚 faculty and curriculum and guide student mentoring groups and doctoral research project committees.

Faculty of Record

Faculty of Record are content area experts in a given competency, offering input into required readings and recommended learning activities for that competency, guiding student development of the competency course syllabus, and assessing students鈥 work.

Faculty Mentors

Faculty Mentors play both academic and integrative roles in our competency-based approach. Their academic expertise, leadership experience, and spiritual maturity prepare them to lead the student鈥檚 mentoring group, which is responsible for approving the student鈥檚 competency development plan and for supporting and monitoring students鈥 progress through the program.

Professional Mentors

Professional Mentors are advanced ministry leaders in the same field in which the student is working. They help students to better understand and interpret their ministry contexts and roles, in light of students鈥 work with the various competencies. The mentors below were selected by current DMin students and approved by AMBS to serve as part of the student鈥檚 mentoring group. New students will have the opportunity to choose their own mentors.

Michael Danner

Stanley Green

Glen Guyton

Leonard Kiswangi

Steve Slagel

Laurel Neufeld Weaver

Spiritual Formation Mentors

Spiritual Formation Mentors are spiritual leaders who support students in their leadership formation throughout the program, helping students to attend to the spiritual formation dimensions of their learning and development. The mentors below were selected by current DMin students and approved by AMBS to serve as part of the student鈥檚 mentoring group. New students will have the opportunity to choose their own mentors.

Delores Friesen

Philip Friesen

Meet the AMBS Admissions Team

From your first inquiry about seminary study to your transition from applicant to student, we鈥檙e here to help you.

Headshot of Mary Ann Weber, MA
Mary Ann Weber, MA
Director of Enrollment
Headshot of Janeen Bertsche Johnson, MDiv
Janeen Bertsche Johnson, MDiv
Admissions Counselor
Paul Keim, PhD
Paul Keim, PhD
Student Services Coordinator
Joe Liechty
Joe聽Liechty, PhD
Student Services Associate
Teresa Thompson Sherrill, Financial Aid Manager and Enrollment Coordinator
Teresa Thompson Sherrill, MDiv
Financial Aid Manager and Enrollment Coordinator

Why seminary?

Students and faculty share why and how they discerned attending their AMBS program

鈥淓nthusiasm has grown among the faculty for how a professional doctorate in a competency-based design aligns with AMBS鈥檚 educational mission to strengthen and build capacity for leadership of thriving communities of faith and action.鈥

Beverly Lapp, EdD, Vice President and Academic Dean