Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics

36 Credit-Hours

Online / On-Campus

Flexible Payment Plans

As a Minister in Today’s Post-Christian Society, You are Constantly Facing New Challenges and Tough Questions

As you engage with the men and women you serve, do you find it increasingly difficult to provide in-depth responses to their questions?

If so, you’re not alone. Even the most seasoned pastors are realizing that they need to be better equipped to speak authoritatively on prominent cultural issues and help people grow in their faith. Southern Evangelical Seminary’s 36 hour Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Apologetics enhances your credibility while giving you confidence and competence to address the unique issues of 21st-century pastoral leadership. This program will help you cast a vision for the future of your ministry in a complex and increasingly secular world.

Read below for the details of this flexible program, and download your FREE ebook to see how such training relates to real-world Gospel issues.

Outstanding Faculty

Our professors are world-class scholars in their particular area of study. The same instructors guiding our Ph.D. candidates and many master’s students will be mentoring you and bringing all their advanced teaching expertise to your class experience. You will also have a rich community of faculty mentors, colleagues, and other professionals to learn alongside while you continue to serve your congregation. Iron truly sharpens iron throughout this hands-on D.Min. program.

Academic Rigor

How do you measure the quality of a school and its degrees? Academic rigor is the core standard. At SES, you will find an exceptional commitment to academic standards. The depth of content in each course is self-evident, and expectations are clear, ensuring a higher quality experience for each student. In addition, your ministry project, and project feedback, will prove invaluable as you continue to fulfill God’s call on your life to proclaim and defend the Gospel.

Flexible Learning Format

We recognize that stepping away from your position may not be an option. The D.Min. program is designed with a flexible format that allows students to set their own pace with regards to the number of classes they take each semester. It is a practical continuation of your seminary education that can be completed partially through our digital campus. The D.Min. program does require a four week-long on-campus intensives (exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis).

The D.Min., which usually is a terminal program, is ideal for those preparing for Speaking, Teaching, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, or Missions Work.

Your Academic Experience at SES

We aren’t catching up with the distance learning trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you'll enjoy a flexible, compelling, connected, environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in.

Collaborate with your peers through our integrated approach

Interact with professors during many live-streamed classes

Conduct research in one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created

(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)

Learn more about the remarkable digital campus experience at SES that will help you thrive as a student and be equipped with the technology tools you’ll need in ministry.

In the D.Min. in Apologetics Program, You Will:

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

Download Your FREE eBook Today!

"As a recent [D.Min.] graduate of SES, I want you to know how much my education at SES has blessed me. Having attended [other evangelical seminaries], I believe SES uniquely equips Christians for serving the body of Christ."

Matthew Dodd

SES Alum

Courses of Interest in the D.Min. in Apologetics

Christian Apologetics and Culture

Learn to defend the Christian faith and address challenges to it expressed in contemporary culture, including education, media, and the arts.

Developing a Christian Worldview

Compare the major worldviews and explore the development of a consistently Christian worldview using both general and special revelation.

Christian Apologetic Communication

Study both biblical and classical communication theories and their application to the tasks of contemporary apologetics.

Full Course Listing

ONLINE EDUCATION COURSES – 18 hours

AP801 Introduction to Christian Apologetics (3)*
AP802 New Religious Movements* or AP804 World Religions (3)*
AP911 Apologetic Systems (3)
AP800–900 Electives (9)

*Required course if not previously completed

RESIDENT SEMINARS – 12 hours

AP, CE, ME, or PT 900 level (12)

MINISTRY PROJECT – 6 hours

MP901 Ministry Project (3)
MP902 Ministry Project Defense (3)

PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

D.MIN. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. SES defines M.Div. equivalency as an accredited seminary graduate degree of 60 hours or more relevant to the field of study. Students with a seminary graduate degree of 60 hours or more but not relevant to the field of study will need to take twelve (12) additional hours that includes course work in Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies, Apologetic and Ministry related electives as recommended after an assessment of prior work.
GPA of 3.0 or above
Three years of ministry experience

PROVISIONAL D.MIN. DEGREE ADMISSIONS

Students with an accredited graduate degree relevant to the field, which lacks the required equivalency hours, may under provisional acceptance complete all coursework leading to the degree except for the ministry project. Admission as a Provisional D.Min. Degree Credit student does not guarantee future admission to the D.Min. program.

MINISTRY PROJECT REQUIREMENT

The ministry project is the student’s culminating work toward the degree program. The ministry project will involve the practical application of Apologetics into the particular ministry of each student. Details on the subject, length, procedure, and deadlines are available in the Doctor of Ministry Handbook. Students must maintain continuous enrollment each semester until the Ministry Project is completed and defended (see catalog for details).

A Valuable Degree with Exceptionally Affordable Tuition

Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.

As a result, we're delighted to tell you that you'll have a very difficult time finding a better tuition rate than what we offer at SES: $600 per credit hour.

^$600

per credit hour

Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.

LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER ON YOUR TUITION

Financial Aid & Discounts

Why Should You Seriously Consider Studying at SES?

You almost certainly have at least some basic — and perhaps even advanced — knowledge of Christian apologetics. Many new students at SES have studied books like Tactics by Gregory Koukl, Lewis' Mere Christianity, or I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by SES alum Frank Turek and SES co-founder Norman Geisler. These are all very helpful resources, but perhaps you have reached that point in your self-guided research where you hit a wall or find yourself out of your depth.

Apologetics, theology, and even Bible study will never reach their potential without being grounded in sound philosophy. It's not a matter of whether you're doing philosophy. It's a matter of whether you're doing it well or poorly. You can be a good philosopher without being a good apologist or theologian, but it does not work the other way around! Giving you the philosophical foundation you need for both theology and apologetics is just one of the ways that a degree or certificate from SES will serve you well.

Built for Your Calling

Whether you are pursuing full-time vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, this program is designed to provide a path for your success.

Full-Time Ministry

The D.Min equips men and women in full-time ministry with a high level of competence in apologetics, evangelism, and outreach. Students in the program are prepared for church leadership in a culture where members are being influenced by secular perspectives more than ever before.

Personal Ministry

While pursuing this degree, students grow in their relationship with God through intense Bible study, prayer, and worship. A primary objective of the program is each student’s maturing personal qualities of Christian character and levels of ministerial excellence. The combination of theory and practice fosters a greater impact in personal ministry.

Ready to Apply Now?

Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.