Doctor of Ministry Program FAQs
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Where are the Doctor of Ministry courses held?
All of the D.Min. classes are held on the new campus of Ligonier Academy:
465 Ligonier Ct.
Sanford, FL 32771Classes are Monday–Thursday: 9:00am–12:00pm and 1:30pm-5:00pm, and Friday 9:00am–1:00pm.
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What times are the D.Min. classes?
Classes are Monday–Thursday: 9:00am–12:00pm and 1:30pm-5:00pm, and Friday 9:00am–1:00pm.
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What if I earn a low grade on a paper or exam in one of my courses? Does this render me unqualified to pursue the major project?
The Major Project can be started as soon as a student has completed at least six courses, assuming the student has, at that point, maintained acumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Because the cumulative GPA is the standard, a low grade on a single paper does not automatically disqualify the student from proceeding to the Major Project. A low grade in a course may disqualify a student from proceeding to the Major Project if that grade causes the cumulative GPA to drop below 3.0. A student who receive a grade of “D” or “F” in a course is required to retake the course. However, no more than three of the eight required courses can be retaken.
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May I transfer into the Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry program from the Doctor of Ministry program at another institution?
Yes, transfer from Doctor of Ministry programs at other institutions is welcomed and permitted. Transfer is granted to those who meet the admission requirements for the Doctor of Ministry program at Ligonier Academy. Individual courses are evaluated for transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.
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Is the Doctor of Ministry degree program accredited?
The program is not accredited. This is not unusual for a new institution such as Ligonier Academy and its programs: new schools are not "born with" accreditation! The pursuit of accreditation is, however, a matter still under consideration by the Academy, and the process of accreditation ordinarily takes several years to complete. For those interested in a Ligonier Academy education and concerned about accreditation, there are several considerations to keep in mind.
It is important for mutual understanding to define what the term "accreditation" commonly means: it refers to a school's voluntary activity of seeking approval by a regional or national organization that is recognized by the federal government (the U.S. Department of Education) or by a state government. The granting of accreditation is intended to communicate to the public, among other things, that the accredited school provides a quality education, that its credits will transfer to other schools, and that it is eligible to participate in the federal student loan program. Accreditation has its benefits, but it also has its limitations in that the value of accreditation is always directly related to what is measured and who does the measuring.
The quality of the education delivered by a school depends in large measure on factors that accrediting agencies do not measure. Two such factors are 1) the proven record of ability and dedication on the part of the school's administration and faculty to do the work of education, and 2) the commitment of the students to take advantage of the education they are offered. In this light, the credentials and experience of Ligonier Academy's administration and faculty are straightforward predictors of quality education. Another indicator of quality education is whether an accredited institution(s) accepts credits earned at Ligonier Academy toward admission to or completion of their degree programs. If this is the case, it too is a predictor of quality education. In this connection, we can tell you that Reformed Theological Seminary, accredited by ATS and SACS, has already determined to accept our courses as credit toward their Doctor of Ministry degree.
In the end, when all is said and done, accreditation from a government-recognized agency counts for little or nothing if the public — and, in the case of educational ministries, the Christian public — does not show its approval for what an institution is doing. In this regard, the evidence of public accreditation for Ligonier Academy is clear: over the years, a wide cross-section of Christians has tried and found the work and content of Ligonier Ministries to be of the highest quality. A key indicator of this fact is the recurring approval of Ligonier Ministries conferences as CEUs for Christian education teachers by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Ligonier Academy is also authorized to grant degrees by the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities in the State of Florida. As a result of these considerations, applicants admitted to the Academy's programs can be confident that they will be provided a quality education. -
Is it possible to audit a Doctor of Ministry course?
Ordinarily, courses are open to auditors if enrollment permits. Class size is limited, and Ligonier Academy must give priority to students who take courses for credit. During the time when registration for courses is open, the Academy maintains a list of those who request to audit a course. Once registration is closed, auditors will be notified as soon as possible whether space remains available. Auditors who desire to attend courses must pay the applicable fees. Once in class, auditors are required to defer to the interests of credit students by not speaking in class and by limiting their interaction with professors and students to opportunities outside of the classroom setting.
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Is it OK to pursue one of the visiting professors to be my advisor or mentor on the major project?
No. Someone on the D.Min. Committee will select your mentor. You may inform the Committee of your preferences.
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Is financial aid available for students admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program?
As is customary at theological institutions, financial aid is not provided for students admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program. Instead, students partner with their local church to finance their studies. Most congregations are very willing, if they are able, to help pastors with their education, in that their studies benefit both the pastor and the congregation.
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Are students responsible for arranging their own local accommodations and transportation?
As is customary at theological institutions, students in the Doctor of Ministry are responsible to arrange accommodations and transportation while attending courses. Ligonier Academy seeks to make special arrangements with local providers to offer accommodations at a special rate. Double occupancy is possible for those willing to share room expenses. The Academy provides the most updated information on these arrangements to students who register for the courses.
Find further information on the Travel page.
