Doctor
of Ministry (D.Min.)
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Doctor of Ministry degree program is focused on Congregational
Revitalization - The Pastor as Leader.
This D.Min. is unique with its emphasis
on congregational revitalization and the leadership role of
the pastor. It is both practical and theoretical: practical
in that it is based in the local congregation and attempts
to identify concrete leadership tools for the pastor; theoretical
in that it is rooted in the classical theological disciplines
of the church.
Each entering class becomes a cohort group
that will remain together throughout the duration of the program.
Two faculty members organize and provide the leadership for
the three years of seminar work. Additional resource persons
will be invited to share as appropriate. The three-year program
consists of three two-week seminars and a doctoral project.
Both pre- and post-class work are required for the seminars.
Courses are held the second two weeks in May on the UDTS campus
or at another site.
Students must maintain continuous registration
in the D.Min. Program until completion of the degree. The
maximum time allowed for completion of the program is five
years.
The D.Min. program requires the completion
of 36 credit hours for graduation: 27 credit hours of course
work and nine credit hours for the doctoral project. Students
complete the degree in three to five years. The maximum
number of hours students may enroll in during a year is 12
credit hours. Only work receiving a grade of B or higher will
count toward graduation requirements.
Components of the Program
Faculty-led cohort groups. Two faculty
form the leadership team for the cohort group. They design
the curriculum, provide the majority of teaching for the cohort
group, create the reading list, and evaluate the Seminar papers.
Additional faculty may be brought into the seminars to provide
modules addressing specific topics or issues. The seminars
presume faculty and students each bring specialized knowledge
to the dialogue. The faculty shape the seminars by designing
the curriculum and leading classes.
Pre- and post-seminar self-directed
learning. In addition to the faculty-student interaction, each seminar
includes two additional components: pre- and post- seminar
work. The pre-seminar work consists of readings or special
projects which are completed prior to the on-site seminar.
Post-seminar work includes specific written projects
which integrate reading, seminar work and the experience of
ministry in the student's congregational setting.
Peer learning. The cohort group structure
creates a unique support community which is consistent and
continues throughout the entire program. Peer learning creates
an added dimension of community support and understanding
that should continue beyond the program, throughout the rest
of a student's life.
Congregational resource team and
faculty learning team. The congregational resource team is the congregation's
connection with the program. They contract to work with the
pastor during the life of the D.Min. program. They help the
student explore ideas and become a membership core concerned
with revitalization in the congregation. To the extent that
the resource team does its job, it creates an ongoing learning
environment for the student.
The faculty learning team provides instruction
and leadership throughout the program. In addition it assists
individual students in developing a doctoral proposal and
project and provides support for students while in the program.
The intent is to create a learning environment characterized
by nurture and discipline, which encourages the student to
become a more faithful and effective pastor.
Doctoral project. The capstone of the D.Min.
program is the doctoral project. The purpose of the doctoral
project is to provide students with the opportunity to address
a particular issue in ministry and offer new insights which
contribute to pastoral effectiveness.
Two possible options for the doctoral project
include a Ministry Focus Paper or a D.Min. Thesis. 1) Ministry
Focus Paper. Students may choose to write a publishable Ministry
Focus Paper, which combines a theology of ministry with a
strategy for ministry. As such, it is focused in a congregational
setting and deals with theory, strategy and guidelines in
order to produce more effective ministry in a particular locale.
2) D.Min. Thesis. Students may choose to write a publishable
thesis that combines investigation of some aspect of the
tradition of the church (biblical, theological, historical,
pastoral) and its implications for congregational renewal
today.
D.Min. Admission Requirements
Master of Divinity Degree Students must have completed an M.Div. degree with a “B” average from an ATS accredited seminary.
Experience Students must have been in full-time ministry for a minimum of three years following completion of their M.Div.
Currently in ministry Students must be employed in a ministry setting and remain in ministry throughout their D. Min. program.
Prospects for success Students must give evidence of the possibility of successful completion of the program through demonstrated success and recommendations.
English is required Applicants who are not native speakers of English must pass the TOEFL exam with a score of 550.
Evaluation Applications for admission will be evaluated by the Doctor of Ministry Committee utilizing transcript evidence, reference letters, judicatory and ministry setting support, and the applicant’s autobiographical statement and anticipated learning goals.
For further information on the D.Min.,
contact:
Dr. Richard Shaffer, Director of D.Min. Program
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-5099
Phone: 563-589-3691
Email: rshaffer@dbq.edu
For application information, contact:
Ms. Peggy Sell, Director of Seminary Admissions
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-5099
Phone: 563-589-3560
Email: udtsadms@dbq.edu
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