Doctor of Theology vs Doctor of Ministry

Have you been looking to be clarified on the differences between a doctor of theology vs doctor of ministry? Search no more! Because you just came across an article that will tell you the clear differences. Seat tight and read through!

A lot of individuals have been finding it difficult to differentiate between much related degrees, and this is a common problem because thousands of fields of studies that are related have related degrees. This is the reason this article is coming our way, to let you know the major differences between a doctor of theology degree and a doctor of ministry degree.

To start, a doctor of theology also known as a doctor of Philosophy commonly abbreviated as DTH, ThD, DTheol, or Dr. theol. It is a concluding or final degree in the academic discipline of theology. There are ways to get a doctorate in theology online, if you want to get the degree faster

Doctor of Ministry also referred to as the doctor of Divinity which is commonly abbreviated as D.Min or DMin is a professional doctorate, which often includes a research component, that can be earned by a minister of religion while simultaneously engaging in some form of ministry. It is classified as an advanced program oriented toward ministerial and/or academic leadership.

Now that you have a little knowledge of what these degrees are talking about, let’s move on and talk about each of them in detail.

Doctor of Theology vs Doctor of Ministry

Doctor of Theology vs Doctor of Ministry

In this section, I will be differentiating between a doctor of theology and a doctor of ministry, using some important terminologies such as the duration of the study, requirements, and other criteria. This will be done in a tabular form. The differences are as follows;

TerminologiesDoctor of TheologyDoctor of Ministry
Duration of Study3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-timeIt usually requires at least four years of study
RequirementsAdmission requirements for the doctor of theology programs vary by school. Common requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA.    Some programs also require a master’s degree in divinity or its equivalent from a regionally accredited university. A liberal arts bachelor’s or master’s degree with a focus on history or philosophy provides a strong foundation for studying theology at the doctoral level.    Some programs require applicants to submit GRE or MAT scores. Other admission requirements may include letters of recommendation, a writing sample, a resume, or proof of moral or spiritual character.The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized college or university and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree (or its equivalent) accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, with a B+ average or better.     A minimum of three years experience in the practice of ministry is required following the MDiv degree or its equivalency.     Be engaged in a recognized ministry (normally full-time), which will serve as the ministry base during this period of advanced professional study.    An applicant whose first language is other than English must provide evidence of the ability to comprehend, speak and write English at the graduate level   Computer literacy: This program requires the ability to communicate with peers and professors online as well as the skill to utilize standard computer software (e.g., Word, Adobe Acrobat, etc.) and online research tools.
Annual SalaryAccording to the Payscale, the average salary depends on the career. They are as follows; Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education Range: $48k – $89k (Estimated *), Average: $63,633. Pastor, Ministry Range: $29k – $81k (Estimated *), Average: $55,410. Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education Range: $55k – $119k (Estimated *), Average: $79,960. Senior Pastor Range: $59k – $158k (Estimated *), Average: $98,472.According to Payscale, the average salary depends on the career. Some examples are; Senior Pastor Range: $44k – $113k, Average: $72,596. Pastor Range: $37k – $97k, Average: $65,534. Lead Pastor Range: $58k – $129k, Average: $92,004. Chaplain Range: $41k – $78k, Average: $56,533. Executive Director Range: $60k – $162k, Average: $94,945. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Range: $59k – $225k, Average: $115,028. President Range: $59k – $153k, Average: $96,610.
Possible CareerBible Translator, Religious Educator, Columnist, Counselor, Linguist, Lawyer, and PsychologistSenior Pastor, Pastor, Lead Pastor, Chaplain Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, President
Number of CreditsIt requires 30-60 credits.It requires 36 credits
Courses InvolvedTheology courses involve in-depth subjects such as Biblical Languages, New Testament, and Old Testament StudiesMinistry courses involve hands-on subjects such as Church Planting, Worship Ministry, and Preaching.

Best Universities to Obtain a Doctor of Theology Degree

In the United States, these are the top ten schools for a theology degree. They are listed below;

  • University of Notre Dame
  • Harvard University
  • Yale University
  • Duke University
  • The University of Chicago
  • Boston College
  • Princeton University
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • Stanford University
  • Columbia University

Best Universities to Obtain a Doctor of Ministry Degree

  • Duke University
  • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Emory University
  • Sewanee – The University of the South
  • Asbury Theological Seminary
  • Dallas Theological Seminary
  • Seattle University
  • Bethel University Minnesota
  • Southeastern University
  • Lincoln Christian University

Best Countries to Obtain a Doctor of Ministry Degree

  • Canada
  • United States
  • Netherlands
  • Europe

Best Countries to Obtain a Doctor of Theology Degree

  • UK
  • USA
  • Ireland
  • Canada
  • Cyprus

Conclusion

The information provided about the doctor of theology and doctor of ministry degrees will go a long way to clarify interested individuals who wish to apply for any one of them to apply with ease.

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