The Master of Ministry and Post-Graduate Diploma in Ministry Information Guide

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1 The Master of Ministry and Post-Graduate Diploma in Ministry Information Guide The Goal These programmes have been designed specifically for ministers, priests, pastors and others involved in a range of ministries. The aim is the enhancement of contemporary ministries. The ongoing practice of ministry provides the base for ministry courses which link theory to practice. The MMin and the PGDip Min incorporate current scholarship in the practice of Ministry with options from Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Theology within an ongoing process combining theological learning and reflective practice. The Programme in Outline Master of Ministry The structure of the Master of Ministry degree was changed in From 2013, this degree consists of six taught papers (20 points per paper), of which: - three are 400-level papers in Ministry Studies (MINS) and combine reflection on issues emerging from a person s own ministry practice with reading and research relevant to the practice of ministry - three are selected from 400-level papers offered in Biblical Studies (BIBS), Christian Thought and History (CHTH) and Pastoral Theology (PAST). and a Research Project (MINS5) of 25,000-30,000 words (90 points) related to issues emerging from one s own practice of ministry. A 200-level paper in Research Methods, PAST 212, is a prerequisite for admission to the Research Project (though this paper is not part of the MMin degree as such). Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry Again, the structure of the Diploma was changed in From 2013, this diploma consists of six taught papers, of which: - three are 400-level praxis-based papers in Ministry Studies (MINS) - three are selected from 400-level papers offered in Biblical Studies (BIBS), Christian Thought and History (CHTH) and Pastoral Theology (PAST). For those who began either the degree or the diploma prior to 2013, please see the appropriate letter (for MMin students or PGDipMin students respectively), which can be downloaded from the same page as this Information Guide Studies in Ministry Because reflection on ongoing work in ministry is integral to the practical dimension of the MMin or PGDip Min, both courses of study are designed to be completed by persons who continue to reside and work in their place of ministry. Travel within New Zealand for intensive study may be required at times, but study for the MMin or PGDip Min will not require students to move to Dunedin. Some papers are offered in the form of short intensive courses with ongoing reflection throughout the semester, and ongoing evaluation. Papers taught on the distance network and semester-long papers in Dunedin are also available. The MMin is a two-year degree if taken full-time; the PGDip Min consists of the first year of the Master s degree. Full-time and part-time options are available for both programmes. 2

2 The nature of MINS Papers A major component of MINS papers involves reflection on the student's own practice of ministry. The practical component is brought into conversation with the theoretical aspect of the course in assessment. Assessment includes student reflection from readings and discussion, and reflection on one s own practice of ministry. An action/reflection approach to learning may inform evaluation of the student's work. MMin papers on Distance These papers are taught in a variety of modes. Some papers are taught via a number of audio conferences, spread throughout one semester. Others are taught via a block course or courses, which consist of either a one-week block or several shorter periods during the semester. Some papers may have a block course combined with some audio conferences. Other papers are internetbased. The Research Project (MINS5) The Research Project for the Master of Ministry degree is to be based on independent research concerning an aspect of the practice of ministry. The word limit is 25,000-30,000 words (excluding appendices, footnotes and bibliography). (For information on MINS590, worth 60 points, see below.) The context for such ministry can be any aspect of the church's life or of the larger society. The ministry studied can be that of the individual minister or of some organization such as a congregation within the wider community. Research methods can be quantitative social research, qualitative social research, or disciplined 'clinical' reflection on practice. The research should, however, be praxeologically based or empirically grounded on actual ministerial practice within a concrete social context. The Research Project should demonstrate that the candidate has the ability to carry out research and the ability to carry out constructive analysis and criticism, and to report the results of such work clearly, accurately and succinctly. Sometimes, the focus of the Research Project can be more literature-based. Contact the Department to discuss this. As a prerequisite before enrolling in the Research Project, MMin students need to have passed PAST 212 (though this paper is not part of the MMin degree as such) a course in research methods for the practice of ministry or for the social sciences, or they must clearly demonstrate a basic competence in a variety of research methods so that the selection of any particular method can be an informed choice appropriate for the subject being studied. The first step for the MINS5 Research Project involves providing a detailed outline of the research proposal, normally of at least five A4 pages. Often, this has been originally formulated as part of the assessment for PAST 212 Research Methods (although it may be that your ideas have changed since you wrote that proposal). You may need to re-work that research proposal somewhat. The proposal needs to indicate the focus of the research, key questions upon which the research will centre, the "proposition" that will be argued, the methods that will be used and a brief bibliography. It is helpful if the proposition to be argued can be formulated as a formal one-sentence proposition (eg. "That team or collaborative ministry is the most effective form of ministry in the contemporary church."). A body of data to be investigated should be specified and it needs to be shown how these data will be used to sustain the proposition. 3

3 It is accepted that the focus of research often alters as work progresses; however, it is important that the initial proposal be focused, even if at a later stage it is considerably modified. A focused proposal is needed so that supervisors can be allocated, and so that it is clear that the research can be achieved within the time available. Students often conceive of a topic that is broad in scope, and needs to be whittled down to a realistically limited subject. The proposal must be approved prior to enrolment for the Research Project. Permission needs to be granted by the University Ethics committee for any research that involves living human subjects. If you are involved in this form of research, you will need to go through the process of gaining Ethics Committee approval. A Proposal for the Research Project should be submitted by the student to the Departmental Administrator at the Department of Theology and Religion. The outline will be discussed by the MMin Admissions and Research Project Committee who will: - approve the topic, or ask for further clarification or revision of the proposal - discuss whether ethical approval is needed for the project and guide the student in this process - appoint supervisor(s) for the project. The completed Research Project needs to demonstrate: knowledge of the literature relevant to the chosen field. Although the research is based on praxis and/or empirical observation, the student needs to demonstrate a command of the existing literature on the subject. The bibliography should include both significant books and periodical articles relevant to the subject. familiarity with research methods appropriate to the chosen field. There are a number of techniques for generating useful data in a field-based social exercise. Not all methods will be relevant to a particular topic. an ability to develop a coherent and connected analysis and description of the subject and draw appropriate conclusions. The student needs to understand very clearly the difference between description and analysis. Many students think that in describing a situation they have analysed it. Analysis consists of constantly probing questions about why something is the way it is, leading to serious attempts to offer explanations of what is being observed. This element of research project writing also includes the ability to establish a constructive conversation between the literature being read and the context for ministry being examined. The whole needs to add up to an argument that will stand scrutiny and that is substantiated by the evidence adduced. familiarity with the conventions for the format of scholarly research writing. The material must be presented in the appropriate format with proper attention to a consistent referencing system, punctuation, spelling, development of argument, layout, and so on. The word limit is 25,000-30,000 words, excluding footnotes, appendices or bibliography. 4

4 Workload Options for Research Projects The Research Project is worth 90 points, and there are several options for enrolment. The regular Research Project is the MINS5 A, but the work can also be taken in various part-time options. The Enrolment Options are: MINS5 A Full research project 90 points MINS5 B Half of the research project 45 points (Full year, semester one or semester two) MINS5 C Quarter of the research project (Semester one or semester two) Enrolment must equal 90 points. Enrolment Examples: MINS5 spread over eighteen months could be: Year 1 MINS5 B: full year Year 2 MINS5 B: semester one 45 points 45 points Or spread over two years it would be: Year 1 MINS5 C: semester one MINS5 C: semester two Year 2 MINS5 C: semester one MINS5 C: semester two 5

5 Enrolment options for the OLD 60 point Research Project, MINS 590 MINS Full-year (60 points) = half of a full-time course, with a full course being 120 points - Enrol full-time over one full calendar year MINS Half-workload, part-year (30 points per semester) - Enrol full-time in semester two of one calendar year, and semester one of the following year OR - Quarter-workload, full-year (30 points per year) - Enrol part-time over two full calendar years MINS Quarter-workload, part-year (15 points per semester) - Enrol part-time over four non-sequential semesters Total enrolment for the Research Project must equal 60 points. Below are a number of enrolment examples. In some cases, a combination of MINS 591 and 592 should be taken (see example 4). Points per year Example 1 Begin February, submit 1 November of the same year MINS points Example 2 Begin July (semester two) of one year MINS points Submit 1 June (end of semester one) of following year MINS points Example 3 Begin February of one year - Year 1 (full year) MINS points Submit 1 November of following year - Year 2 (full year) MINS points Example 4 Begin July (semester two) of one year MINS points Continue through following year MINS points Submit 1 June (end of semester one) of final year MINS points Electronic copies of very good MINS 590s can be obtained from the Otago University Research Archive - Click on Division of Humanities Departments Then on Department of Theology and Religion This brings up all PhDs, MTheols, and MMin Research Projects you ll be able to identify the latter easily. They will be useful guides as you think about your Research Project. Also available from the Departmental Administrator is a brief paper entitled "MINS 590 Research Projects. What can we learn from experience to date with the Research Project, and from Examiners' Reports?" We hope this will also be useful as you think about your Research Project. 6

6 Formatting the Research Project For guidelines about presentation, formatting and so on for the Research Project, see the document entitled Notes on the Preparation of Theses produced by the University of Otago Library. It can be downloaded from: The Department s Study and Style Guide will also be helpful. You may find it via the Department s web site: Submission and examination procedure for the Research Project The two submission dates for the Research Project are 1 June and 1 November. Three soft-bound copies of the project are required, and the student must hand these in or post them to the Departmental Administrator. One copy of the project must include a completed and signed declaration, ie a Library Declaration Form that can be found on the University website ( The Department will send the project to the examiners. The project will be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom will be external to the University. The candidate s supervisor will not be an examiner, but may make a report on the work of the candidate for the examiners to consider. The identity of the examiners will not be made known to the candidate. If the project is assessed as unsatisfactory, the examiners may recommend to the Head of the Department that it be revised and resubmitted by a specified date (normally not later than six months after notification of the result), or rejected. Where examiners cannot agree on a result the Head of the Department will report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Humanities, who will arrive at a decision after consulting a referee. It is difficult to estimate the length of time that might be required for the examination process. Examiners will always have other commitments to meet and the time of year at which the project is submitted can also be a factor. In general, there may be approximately 12 weeks between submitting the project and receiving notification of the final result. The Department will return one copy of the project to the student, along with copies of examiners reports (after removing the names of the examiners and any sections in the reports that are specifically confidential). The copy containing the Library Declaration form will be sent to the University s Library, and the remaining copy will be filed in the Department. The degree may be awarded with a Pass, with Distinction, or with Credit. 7

7 PAPERS The papers offered in the Ministry programme and at 400-level within the Department vary from year to year. Papers available in the following year are generally posted on the Department s website in September each year. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Admission A Theology degree or equivalent three year programme of study in Theology (for example, the LTh), with satisfactory grades, is required for entry to both the MMin and PGDipMin. A minimum of three years ministry experience is required for the MMin; this is not required in the case of the PGDip Min. You apply for admission online on the University s website. Enrolment As well as being admitted to the Programme by the Department, you must also enrol for papers on the University s website. The closing dates for first-semester enrolment are 10 December for new students, and 15 January for returning students. The closing date for secondsemester enrolments is 15 June. Fees for Papers: These can be found by searching the University website. Exemptions from Papers due to prior study Students may be exempt from a paper in the Master of Ministry degree or the Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry on the basis of a paper done at 400-level at a recognized tertiary institution and which has not been credited to another qualification. In the case of a Ministry paper, this will only be granted when the completed study clearly has a strong focus on Christian ministry. To discuss this, please contact the Department, with full details of the particular paper completed. A fee may apply. For further information on the Master of Ministry or Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry, please contact: Departmental Administrator theology@otago.ac.nz For further academic advice, please contact: Professor Paul Trebilco Department of Theology and Religion paul.trebilco@otago.ac.nz November