Western Theological Seminary

Intentional Integration: Christian College Student Development

Imagine a Doctor of Ministry program that propels you to strengthen your ministry and impact the church.
Scroll down to discover more about this distinctive program or fill out the form to connect directly with a member of our admissions team.

What is a Doctor of Ministry?

The Doctor of Ministry program equips participants to develop their ministerial knowledge and skills, preparing them for meaningful service in congregational, parachurch, and missionary contexts.

This program helps students integrate practical ministry, academic learning, and thoughtful reflection within a supportive community of peers. Unlike an academic or research degree, it is designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want to grow in their calling and serve the unique needs of their communities with greater depth and effectiveness.

Under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, each cohort engages in a carefully structured curriculum centered on their chosen area of study.

Each three-year cohort focuses on timely and relevant themes, with new cohorts introduced each year.

Through collaboration with fellow students and faculty, you’ll have the flexibility to shape your learning in ways that are meaningful and relevant to your unique ministry context.

About This Cohort

"The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life." Psalm 19:8

Currently, most faculty, staff, and administrators at the university level are trained in their specific disciplines without a theological or faith development component. Conversely, most faculty and staff with theological training lack the critical perspective that relevant social science theories provide to guide students' developmental work.

The specific rationale for this cohort is to teach doctoral students to intentionally integrate spiritual formation and developmental theory to maximize the impact of their current and future ministry. The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry cohort is to equip leaders to lead and flourish in these unique and essential spaces.

Doctoral students will be supported and directed in their research regarding how to intentionally and more fully integrate relevant aspects of Christian spiritual formation and student development theory in developing and leading campus programming and facilitating mentoring relationships.

Download Learning Sequence

Get to Know Cohort Mentor Rev. Dr. Stephen Beers

Steve has worked in higher education for four decades. His campus work has included roles in residential life, campus ministries, as an associate professor, and in senior leadership. In addition to his institutional roles, he has served as president of the Association for Christians in Student Development (ACSD) and as a Senior Fellow of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Steve recently completed a semester as an interim vice president for student life at a Christian college in Lithuania. He is ordained in the Anglican Church of North America as a vocational deacon and currently serves as a higher educational consultant.

Steve earned a BA in psychology and bible, an MS in counseling, an Ed.D. in education, and recently completed a D.Min. His publications include various articles and books, including The Soul of a Christian University: A Field Guide for Educators (2008), Funding the Future: Preparing University Leaders to Navigate the Coming Change (2012), and Making a Difference: Empowering the Resident Assistant (2015). His most recent publication, a chapter in Stewarding Our Bodies: A Vision for Christian Student Affairs (2023), addresses student anxiety. Steve consistently presents at national conferences and has worked with various international institutions.

Steve is married to Jane, who is an associate professor of Biology. They have three adult children and five grandkids.

Intentional Integration: Christian College Student Development Virtual Info Session

Join us on Tuesday, March 3, from 7:30 PM-8:30 PM EST for a virtual info session to learn more about this Doctor of Ministry cohort. We hope to see you there!

Important Dates

Complete Your Application

This cohort will be decided on a rolling basis; therefore, the sooner you complete your application, the sooner you will receive a decision. Once capacity is reached, the application will close.

The Doctor of Ministry application includes:

Three recommendation forms
One letter of ecclesial endorsement
Two personal statements
One academic writing sample
Official Transcripts from previous educational institutions

Notifications by July 15, 2026

Applicants will be notified of their admission status by July 15.

If you have questions about your application, contact our admissions team at admissions@westernsem.edu.

Projected Seminar Dates

The cohort will begin in February 2027, with seminars scheduled each Fall and Spring until graduation in April 2030. View the learning sequence for further seminar details and dates.

Cohort Launch and First Seminar: February 22-26, 2027, at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI

Second Seminar: October 25-29, 2027, at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI

Third Seminar: February 2028 (exact dates TBD) in Southern California

Ready to take the next step?

Start your application today.

Apply Now