The Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry program is a professional degree for ordained men serving in pastorates, mission fields, and other full-time ministries who desire to reach new levels of reflection on and competence in the practice of ministry. While the program will combine practical and theological courses, it will place a strong emphasis on the application of theology to ministry. The strength of the D.Min. program at Ligonier Academy is found in its faculty and coursework.

The Faculty
The faculty of the Ligonier Academy D.Min. program consists of some of the most well-respected Reformed pastors and scholars in the United States, including supporters and council members of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. In addition to Dr. R.C. Sproul and Dr. R. Fowler White, our distinguished visiting faculty includes:

• D.A. Carson
• Mark Dever
• Ligon Duncan
• Sinclair B. Ferguson
• Robert Godfrey
• Michael Horton
• Steven J. Lawson
• Albert Mohler
  
• Archie Parrish
• Mark Ross
• Derek W.H. Thomas
  

The Requirements
The Ligonier Academy D.Min. program consists of eight one-week course modules (three credit hours each) and a major written project (six credit hours). All courses are required. Five of the eight courses will highlight practical pastoral issues, and three will focus on theological issues. The program is designed to be completed in a minimum of three years or a maximum of five years, depending on the number of courses the student takes each year. Exceptions to these time limits are considered on a case-by-case basis. The program courses appear below. 

1.  The five practical courses are as follows:

• Reformed Philosophy of Ministry
• Missions and Evangelism
• Preaching
• Pastoral Care
• Worship

2.  The three theological courses are as follows:

• The Doctrine of Justification
• Issues in Theological Studies
• Issues in Biblical Studies

3.  Each of these eight courses will have reading and writing assignments. The reading assignments and some small writing assignments are generally completed in the months leading up to the lectures. Longer writing assignments are usually completed in the weeks and months following the lectures. Generally, each course will require reading of no more than 2,000 pages and writing of a major post-course paper. Specific texts and assignments required for each course will be determined by the instructor.   

4.  A major written project will follow the completion of the eight courses. An oral defense of the project is also required.

Application and Admission

All application documents must be received by the Admissions Office of Ligonier Academy no later than the following dates:

• For Summer Courses: March 1
• For Winter Courses: September 1

Click here to download a copy of the D.Min. Application.

Because the D.Min. program serves the educational goals of pastors, missionaries, and others in full-time ministry, admission is granted only to ordained men who possess an earned graduate degree in a biblical or theological discipline. Ordinarily, the degree will be from a Master of Divinity program (Specific educational qualifications are listed in the application). Moreover, because of the seminar nature of the program's courses, maximum enrollment in each course is twenty students.

We are unable at the present time to accept applications from international students.

Registration