Our world needs wise Christian leaders who can use a variety of perspectives and tools to read and understand challenging situations, think on their feet, point to the Holy, and open paths of transformation in people’s lives.
Since 1975 we have been helping religious leaders do just that.
Students in Doctor of Ministry tracks complete pre-thesis coursework in three years. Classes consist of two basic types: Seminar courses and online courses.
- Seminar courses follow a hybrid learning model, combining online education with in-class time during summer residencies.
- Online integrative courses entail specific engagement with a ministry context, in conversation with both theology and social sciences. The capstone of all our doctoral programs is the thesis, a substantive work of action-reflection scholarship based upon rigorous examination of a ministry context and robust engagement with academic disciplines.
“I chose to come back to VTS for my doctoral work because I was looking for more than just academic excellence (which I have certainly experienced) but for an engaged community of fellow learners. As a school chaplain I also appreciate the educational leadership track which has allowed me to take classes that are much more focused on my area of ministry than I would be able to find in other DMin programs. The gift of being in residence on campus has given me the opportunity to learn from wonderful professors, as well as from other students, as I work to better serve the church.”
The Rev. Kristin Sullivan,
Chaplain at St. Mark’s Episcopal School
VTS’ doctoral programs begin with a question: What vision does God give us for transforming lives, communities, and cultures?
Because every baptized Christian carries out a distinct expression of that vision, we offer varying program tracks oriented to varying ministries. Each track puts theological and biblical resources into conversation with developmental, organizational, and social scientific learning. Doctoral students focus on their specialized track while sharing knowledge across all tracks.
In both low-residency degree programs, the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and the Doctor of Educational Ministry (DEdMin), students choose one of these tracks: Ministry Development, Educational Leadership, and Christian Spirituality. (NEW Christian Formation track to be added in 2024.)
Ministry Development
Ministry Development
Christian Spirituality
Christian Spirituality
Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
Christian Formation
Christian Formation
“We believe that God’s Spirit is ever enlivening the Church, fostering wise, skillful, and faithful leaders, to empower the church to hear anew the calling of God’s Spirit.”
-The Rev. Ross Kane Ph.D.,
Director of Doctoral Programs
The Summer Residency begins with a preparation period April-June. Students may enroll in up to 3 intensive courses during the Summer Residency. For each intensive course, students participate in 3 weeks of preparatory work online (3 intensive courses = 9 weeks of preparation work April-June). This time is mostly asynchronous (on your own time) and consists of reading, online discussion, and short assignments.
Doctoral students come to campus each summer for course intensives. A typical day consists of coursework, meals, and connection with colleagues and faculty.
Typical day (Monday-Friday):
- 7-8am: Breakfast and Morning Prayer
- 8-noon: Intensive course
- 12-1pm: Lunch and Noon prayer/Eucharist
- 1-2pm: Break
- 2-5pm: Case Studies, Thesis Proposals, worktime/freetime
- 5-6pm: Dinner
- Most after dinner activities are social in nature and optional
Between residencies, 1st and 2nd year students participate in reading courses (“Visions of Transformation I-IV”), a Contextual Study, and additional Case Studies. Doctor of Educational Ministry students also participate in two sessions of “Biblical and Theological Studies”. These courses are fully online and mostly asynchronous.
The doctoral application is open most of the year, but is closed for a short time each year when the application is updated for the new academic year. When the application window is temporarily closed, you can use this PDF of the application to preview the requirements and get started on gathering your materials.
Doctoral Library Services
Doctoral Library Services
Students enrolled in a degree program at VTS have access to all of the resources of the Bishop Payne Library, whether on campus or at a distance.
