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D.Min. Curriculum
Overview
Structure
of the Degree
The
design of United’s D.Min. degree allows students to
progress through the full program in stages where each successive
stage lays the foundation for the next, building a strong
total program. Students whose professional development goals
do not require the completion of the program may exit after
the first or second module with a certificate of completion,
knowing they have received a coherent and useful educational
experience.
Requirements
of the Degree
Module 1 | Module
2 | Module
3
MODULE
1 focuses on students’ development of an analysis
of their ministry and its context within the larger framework
of the changing face of ministry in North America.
The
module is open to enrollment both from persons who know
they wish to complete the D.Min. degree and to those
who wish only to take this first module as a means to
renew their
vocation
for ministry. The module results not only in enhanced
understanding, but also in a concrete, professional ministry
development
plan that the student can use to guide further work and
leads to a Ministry Renewal and Professional Development
Certificate.
Module
1 consists of one seminar course:
-
DM150 –
Renewing Ministry in the North American Context (3 credits)
MODULE
2 focuses on students’ development of advanced
skills in pastoral analysis and theological reflection
and their development of advanced expertise in a subject
area relevant to their professional development aims.
This
focal subject area may be uni-disciplinary or interdisciplinary
in character. Enrollment in Module 2 presupposes full
admission to the D.Min. program and is based on successful
completion
of Module 1 and the meeting of any criteria for admission
to the D.Min. program not already satisfied before beginning
Module 1.
The
module consists of the following courses:
- DM250
– Theological Reflection and Methodology Seminar and Project
- Fifteen
credits of elective courses chosen to establish
a basis of expertise in a theological discipline or around
an
interdisciplinary focus
- DM290
– Capstone Seminar and Comprehensive Exam
MODULE
3 focuses on students’ fullest integration of learnings
from the first two modules in the planning, conducting,
and presentation of an action-research project that contributes
a new understanding or model of ministry to the field
of ministry.
The
module consists of the following courses:
- DM350
–
Thesis Preparation Seminar
- DM390
–
Doctor of Ministry Thesis
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
Required
courses specific to the D.Min. program are listed below. The
seminary’s catalog for 2007-2009 is valid for elective
courses; you also may find information on new electives in
the Registration Bulletin or online.
Courses
are for 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
DM150
Renewing Ministry in the North American Context
Students analyze their own ministry and its context within the framework of
developments in church and society in contemporary North America. Students
will create a ministry development plan that can guide future education. The
course is scheduled in two half-week sessions three months apart. The seminar
includes a brief consultation with the North
Central Ministry Development Center around assessment of personal leadership
styles.
No prerequisites
DM250
Theological Reflection and Methodology Seminar and Project
In this four-day seminar students will learn a variety of methods and models
of theological reflection appropriate to advanced research in pastoral
theology and the practice of ministry. They
will then have the opportunity to put these methods to use in a substantive
research project in an area of interest in their ministry context. 6
credits (tuition billed at 4.5 credits)
Prerequisites:
DM150
DM290
Capstone Seminar and Comprehensive Exam
Through a comprehenive examination and a one-week seminar
students will be supported in developing a comprehensive understanding
of the
field
in which
they have engaged in research and study through the subject area courses taken
since the methodological seminar. The seminar context will allow students to
deepen their understanding in dialogue with students who have pursued different,
but allied, research and study agendas. The examination context will allow
students to organize their understanding comprehensively. 6 credits
(tuition billed at 4.5 credits)
Prerequisites: DM250, 15 credits of subject area
study
DM350
Thesis Preparation Seminar
During this one-week seminar participants develop their proposal for the D.Min.
thesis in critical dialogue with professors and their D.Min. peers.
Prerequisites: DM290
DM390
Doctor of Ministry Thesis
Under the guidance of a faculty advisor and thesis reading team, the student
will write a thesis that contributes new understandings or models for ministry.
Specifically the thesis will: identify a specific theological topic in ministry;
organize and carry out an effective research program; evaluate the results;
use appropriate resources; express a depth of theological insight in relation
to ministry; and orally defend the research and results before a panel of faculty.
Prerequisites:
DM350
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