Winfield, Kan., Oct. 6, 2026 —
The Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College is partnering with Wesley Theological Seminary and offering a Doctor of Ministry program. Classes will begin in June, 2027.
The Doctor of Ministry is designed to offer ministry leaders new knowledge, skill, and insight to more effectively lead church communities. With a cohort of other student leaders in the Midwest, students will explore biblical, theological, and ethical foundations of ministry in that context.
Jackson Lashier, professor of religion at Southwestern College, says this is a unique opportunity for the college.
“Southwestern College has a unique opportunity to partner with Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. by being a hosting site for their Doctor of Ministry program” Lashier says. “The Wesley DMin hosted at SC will specifically recruit from pastors in churches in the Great Plains conference, many of whom are SC alums, and will focus on the challenges of ministry and church leadership in rural settings. These will be intensive on campus classes taught by a mix of faculty from Wesley Seminary, Southwestern, and invited guests. We are excited for our alums in ministry and other pastors from the Great Plains to be on our campus. The program will launch its first cohort this June.”
The Doctor of Ministry program requires 30 credit hours, typically completed within 3½ years. Students will take at least seven core and elective courses, with up to six years allowed to finish. Coursework must begin within two years of admission.
For more information or to apply, go to www.wesleyseminary.edu/academics/doctor-of-ministry.
Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides options for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. For more information, go to www.sckans.edu.