About DMin
The BGU DMin program is a 40-credit hour online degree that may be completed in three years. The program includes a 10-day-long city immersion that is located in a global city of the world. This way, students and faculty could meet in person, and build life-long relationships with friends with common values and callings on 6 continents.
* 96% of former BGU students (or alumni) say that they were personally impacted by their studies at BGU.
* 82% of BGU alumni will recommend BGU to others.
* BGU alumni describe BGU as transformational, practical degree, and globally focused.
* More than 75% of BGU alumni indicated that their BGU studies impacted their ministry at a high level.
Our DMin program provides transformational ministry leadership:
To a global scattered community
With an incarnational community approach
Through relevant cross-cultural community strategies
With an innovative and creative framework
The purpose of our DMin program is:
Provide a practical, theological, and academic education where students learn to lead transformationally and conduct qualitative or quantitative research to inform their dissertations, which in turn create diverse models of ministry.
To equip and educate ministry pastors, ministers, parachurch leaders, and faith-based organization leaders of global and urban communities.
Our desired outcomes are to ensure ministry leaders impact individuals, congregations, institutions, and communities to:
Create relevant ministries in the Global Context
Impact multi-cultural generations
Community Development
Global Awareness
BGU's foundation to the DMin program is based upon Global Christian theology from various global cultures throughout the world.
Theology is often viewed from a Western Perspective. While Western Theological interpretation has its strengths, it is not the only view of Christian Theology. BGU’s DMin degree offers its students the opportunity to research and examine Christian theological interpretations from various Global communities.
Incarnational Understanding
BGU guides your studies to allow you to gain an incarnational presence in your ministry. You will gain an understanding of how God is present and what God is doing in the place you are currently dwelling (ministry space). An incarnational understanding is connected to the value of exegeting your community.
Community Impact
BGU’s DMin program provides a strong practical component to studies that culminate in your dissertation. Your studies are focused on a transformational project impacting the community.
DMin Program Outline
What would your studies look like?
Design your course of studies to enhance your area of focus and ministry.
Your DMin degree will include a total of 40 credit hours. You can complete your degree with flexibility to complete your degree in two to seven years.
Foundational Core Courses (Phase 1)
DIS Dissertation
OV Urban and International Immersions
RES Research
THE Theological Studies
Focus/Concentrations (Phase 2)
ASM Assessment
BUS Business / Conflict Studies
HST History
IUL International Urban Leadership
LDR Leadership
LIA Leadership in the Arts
MCC Ministry in Complex Contexts
MSF Missional Spiritual Formation
PRM Practical Ministry
PST Pastoral Leadership
TOW Theology of Work
HST History
WLS Women Leadership Studies
Phase 3: Dissertation
View the 2023 DMin Course Calendar on our Calendar Page
Please contact Bruce Jackson to set up an appointment for assistance in planning out your classes for the next few years. Use the Program Worksheet (downloadable Word document) to plan out your degree, drawing from the two-course calendars.”
DMin Degree Requirements
Pursuing a DMin Degree at BGU is an awesome global theological educational experience. The following are required to pursue a DMin Degree at BGU:
Must have an MDiv. Degree or an MDiv. equivalent.
Complete 40 semester credit hours and a Dissertation with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
Students obtaining a grade of B- or lower cannot be accepted for credit towards their degree.
Students can submit their DMin Dissertation proposal after completing their Research Bridge class. They will have the opportunity to select their dissertation supervisor and a second reader. Once their dissertation proposal is approved by the Academic Cabinet, the following course of action will occur:
Students will set up appointments with their dissertation supervisors to ensure the expected dates of submitting various chapters are completed.
Students must demonstrate:
A specific concern regarding leadership in ministry.
Mobilize appropriate resources.
Develop a process to address the concern and the evaluation of that response.
Demonstrate the ability to reflect theologically in relation to practical global ministry.
Illustrate the ability to function responsibly under supervision appropriate to the project.
They will have their entire dissertation submitted by the date required by the Academic Dean.
An oral defense of the dissertation will be scheduled and completed before the final recommendation is approved.
DMin Program Format
The DMin program format at BGU is interactive, creative, and innovative. The format for the classes is the following:
Attend a BGU City Immersion Class
Classes meet weekly via zoom
Complete theological discussions posted on Populi
Complete extensive required readings
Submit book reviews, weekly journals, etc.
Complete individual and group projects
Research and write Dissertation
DMin Tuition and Fees
Tuition for 40 credits:
Immersion (8 credits | $ 4,200.00 | (at current rate of *$525 per credit) |
ASM or IUL (8 credits) | $ 4,200.00 | (at current rate of *$525 per credit) |
Research (4 credits) | $ 2,100.00 | (at current rate of *$525 per credit) |
Specialization/Elective (12 credits) | $ 6,300.00 | (at current rate of *$525 per credit) |
Dissertation (8 credits) | $ 4,200.00 | (at current rate of *$525 per credit) |
Total Tuition | $ 21,000.00 |
Additional Estimated Fees & Expenses
Administrative Fees | $ 850.00 | (1 Immersion and 8 online courses) |
Airfare | $1,000.00 | (1 Immersion and graduation; varies w/country) |
Lodging | $ 800.00 | (1 Immersion and graduation; varies w/country) |
Meals | $ 300.00 | (1 Immersion and graduation; varies w/country) |
Annual Resource Fees | $ 600.00 | (calculated at 3 years; currently $50 per module |
Graduation Fee | $ 450.00* | |
Technical & Second Reader fees | $ 500.00 | |
Cap & Gown | $ 200.00 | (only if student attends ceremony) |
Books | $ 1,000.00 | |
Miscellaneous | $ 400.00 | |
Total Additional Est. Expenses | $ 6,100.00 | |
Total Est. Cost of DMin | $ 27,100.00 |
Monthly Interest Free Payment Plans are available.
1 **These costs are approximate for an entire program at Bakke Graduate University and incorporate projected tuition increases over the next few years. They are only estimates and not exact; however, it can give you a rough outside estimate for the total program cost.
The Additional Estimated Expenses are estimated high and reflect costs for students who live outside of the United States and/or those who will be taking courses that require more travel and lodging. Therefore, these will be variable depending on the location of a student and course choices.
DMin Admission Requirements
Admission to the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program at BGU is based on a selection process conducted by the Academic Cabinet (AC). The AC reviews each application thoroughly to determine the applicant's qualifications as well as compatibility of the university programs to the applicant's educational goals. The applicant will be presented to the AC for consideration after all required application materials have been received by the university.
Applicants are required to provide documents attesting to:
Degree Credential
A Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or equivalent, a minimum of five years of ministry experience, and present engagement in ministry.
Applicants not holding an MDiv degree or its equivalent (defined as a student who has taken and passed with a B or better at least 80 (semester/trimester) credit hours in a master's theology program in one or more USDE recognized accredited programs, yet was not awarded the actual MDiv degree), but meeting and exceeding all other requirements, may pursue admission to the Extended DMin program as a Special Student. Only a limited number of applicants will be admitted as Special Students.
Standard admission requirements for the 60-credit Extended Doctor of Ministry degree program include a master's degree, a minimum of five years of ministry experience, and present engagement in ministry. Students completing their MATL at BGU have fulfilled the necessary prerequisites to be considered for the Extended DMin program.
The Extended DMin program requires additional graduate courses, e.g., Global Narrative Theology, Global Christian History, and three electives for the total additional 20 credits. If the applicant has completed these courses at a graduate level prior to entering the DMin program, they may be asked to complete other courses to fulfill the 20-hour graduate credit requirement. Although if a student has achieved some master's level courses, he or she is encouraged to enter into one of BGU's master's degrees and then move into the DMin.
English Language
Each student must demonstrate English proficiency by:
(1) showing that it is his/her native language, or
(2) by having successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate school program in which English is the primary method of instruction, or (3) exhibiting sufficient English-language capabilities to succeed in the classroom and in the BGU DMin program as measured by a score of not less than 80 on the internet-based TOEFL or TOEFL-equivalent exams taken within the last five years.
As an alternative to the TOEFL, BGU will accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), where the students have scored 6.5 or better.