Doctoral Project

Welcome to the

Doctoral Project site!

Once you have completed half the units of your program (or year three for cohort students), you can begin the doctoral project phase.

Your previous coursework should serve you well as preparation for this phase of the journey. The doctoral project is an opportunity to connect the knowledge gained in your DMin courses with on-the-ground ministry practice, sharpening your skills as a reflective practitioner.

Understanding the Doctoral Project

The doctoral project consists of three primary parts:

  1. Identify a challenge you face in ministry and situate that challenge in your particular ministry context.

  2. Reflect on that challenge theologically, drawing on resources including Scripture, tradition, and contemporary scholarship.

  3. Design, implement, and assess some sort of new ministry initiative (drawing on your reflection) to address the ministry challenge.

In this sense, the doctoral project moves from practice, to theory, to new practice -- a method of ministry reflection we call praxis.

Timeline and Overview

This doctoral project phase takes one to two years to complete. At the end of that time, you will have a 150 to 175 page paper representing your learning, theological reflection, and ability to respond constructively to a real-life ministry challenge. Your project will not only contain valuable insights with a strategy that benefits those you serve, but can also serve as a practical resource to the broader Christian community.

Getting Started

Use the links under the "Doctoral Project" menu at the top of the page to find resources and other aids to help complete the project. If you need help along the way, please contact the Doctoral Projects Administrator at dmin-fpcoord@fuller.edu.

Doctor of Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary 135 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182 (800) 999-9578 dmin@fuller.edu