Doctor of Ministry Handbook. Compiled by Office of Academic Affairs

Transcription

1 Doctor of Ministry Handbook Compiled by Office of Academic Affairs

2 Index Program Objectives Overall Goals 3 Program Foundations Peer Group Learning 4 Experience-Based 4 Tradition-Based 4 Adult Learning 4 Program Method and Design 5 Time Frames 5 D.Min. Intensive Days 6 Admissions 6 Program Costs 7 Communication 7 Administration and Direction Administrative Director 8 Project Coordinator 8 Theological Coordinator 8 Faculty 8 Board and Committees Doctor of Ministry Board 9 Admission Committee 9 Program Committee 10 Candidate Evaluation Procedures Pre-Program 10 Ongoing 10 Periodic 10 Thesis project 10 Outcomes Assessment Procedures 11 Equivalency to the M.Div. Degree 11 Thesis Project Criteria for Acceptance of Thesis Project Proposals 12 Project Selection 12 Project Development and The Project Advisor 13 Project Development and the Theological Consultant 14 Project Completion The Third Reader 14 Project Paper Completion Limits 14 Project Proposal 15 D.Min. Project Paper: Chapter Outline 16 Appendix I: Thesis Project: Style Sheet 17 Appendix II: Theological Consultancy 18 2

3 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES OVERALL GOALS The Doctor of Ministry degree at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary is a specialist rather than a generalist degree. The overall goal of the program is to develop in candidates the art of doing transformative theological reflection in a ministerial setting. Although the program draws extensively on the wisdom of the Roman Catholic Tradition, with an ecumenical sensitivity, to address areas of theological and ministerial concern at an advanced level, the focus on Theological Reflection places the program in the specialist category. Candidates must have at least three years of full time ministerial experience to apply. They must also be employed full time in a ministerial position during the course of the program. There are a number of sub-goals: A. To grow in understanding the biblical, historical and theological warrants for contemporary ministerial practice; B. To be able to articulate faith convictions and strategies; C. To have an in-depth understanding of the personal spirituality which forms ministerial style; D. To have a working knowledge of methodological and other background issues regarding theological reflection in ministerial settings; E. To develop the people-in-systems and other social scientific skills important for effective religious leadership. 3

4 PROGRAM FOUNDATIONS A. PEER GROUP LEARNING Each class entering the Doctor of Ministry program forms a learning community. They commit themselves to the goals of the program and the interactive process of support and challenge that will be necessary for them to achieve those goals. Faculty members provide certain content, direction, resources, and guidance. The members of the group are expected to become resources to one another. This expectation respects the past experience of ministers, uses it to enrich the learning process, and models a group dynamic which is valuable for the life of the local church. B. EXPERIENCE-BASED The program draws on the experience of the participants. The emphasis on experience takes a number of forms. First, the initial data for theological reflection are the personal and ministerial experiences of the group members. Second, the learning process throughout the program uses the ongoing experiences of the candidates. Third, the participants discover the personal and social impact the transformative power of theological ideas. Fourth, participants explore the interconnections among psychological, sociological, and theological interpretations of experience. Fifth, the various methods of theological reflection stress the movement from experience to theological interpretation and back to experience. The various projects in which the candidates engage must embody these experiential approaches to religion and theology. C. TRADITION-BASED The program is firmly grounded in Roman Catholic theology and theological method, while valuing an ecumenical perspective. It draws on the rich resources of the tradition and helps students to use these resources in the interpretation of experience and the development of their ability to think theologically. Courses are selected for their potential to illuminate ministerial situations and to resource the theological reflection which transforms persons in situations. D. ADULT LEARNING The goal of the program is for the candidate to develop the ability to do theological reflection in ministerial situations. Many of the questions driving the participation of candidates in this program come from their ministerial experience and their own desire to deepen their reflective abilities in ministerial contexts. Since theological reflection in ministerial situations is not an isolated activity but takes place in dialogue with people who are immersed in systems, a variety of skills are necessary. A working knowledge of how systems develop, function, and, at times have problems, along with the skills to change them, is needed. An understanding of group dynamics and skills of 4

5 listening, challenging, and organizing are required. Finally, the candidate must understand how faith convictions and values form the permeating context of the people in systems and develop the skills of using faith categories as tools of analysis necessary for doing theological reflection. In the process, the program draws on the fields of theology, ministry, and social science. PROGRAM METHOD AND DESIGN Educational methodologies employed include lecture, a high level of active candidate participation and interaction, and mutual resourcing. Peer-group learning is Tradition- and experience-based and is resourced by professionals in theology and ministry. The program includes four parts: A. Three courses during each ten-week quarter B. An intensive at the start of each quarter C. The thesis project D. Consultation with advisors TIME FRAMES The candidates meet every Tuesday from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Conference Center of the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary for six quarters two academic years. These Tuesdays are divided into three sessions of one and one-half hours each. In general two of these sessions employ presentation and discussion and one employs guided student reflection. In all sessions a high level of participant activity is required. In addition to the Tuesdays, there is a three-day intensive at the beginning of each of the six quarters. The method of teaching in these intensives varies according to the needs of the group and the style of the faculty member. The usual sequence will be two years of classroom work, followed by a year of doing the project and another year to complete the writing of the thesis. In some cases, depending on the project, the project and the writing both will be done in the third year. 5

6 D.MIN. INTENSIVE DAYS 1. Intensives for the Doctor of Ministry degree take place three times per year on the campus of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. The precise days are placed in the calendar one year in advance. 2. Students are invited to arrive at the Conference Center after supper on the evening preceding the beginning of the Intensive (usually Sunday night). Rooms will be available. 3. The seminar begins at 9:30 a.m. on the first day. 4. All participants will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the University dining hall on Monday and Tuesday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Wednesday. 5. The intensive concludes with lunch on Wednesday. ADMISSIONS There are a number of prerequisites which must be filled before an individual will be considered for candidacy in the Doctor of Ministry Program. To enter the program, an individual must: 1. be employed full-time in some form of Church ministry; 2. possess a Master of Divinity Degree (M.Div.), or its equivalent, i.e., 63 semester hours in the theological disciplines plus 9 hours of supervised ministerial training (e.g., C.P.E., Parish Internship); 3. have completed at least three years of full-time ministry. Once it has been established that the applicant possesses these prerequisites, his or her application will be evaluated and a personal interview will be scheduled. 6

7 Criteria for admission to the program are: 1. Intellectual capacity for advanced theological and ministerial education; 2. Personal capacity for the group-oriented education that characterizes the program; 3. Willingness and availability to make this project a high priority in terms of time and attention; 4. Potential value to the life of the church. PROGRAM COSTS The complete cost of the Doctor of Ministry Program is currently $4, per year, plus books. This cost includes tuition as well as room and board for the three-day intensives at Mundelein Seminary. The cost is subject to change on a yearly basis. COMMUNICATION Address communications to: Mrs. Mary Bertram Assistant to the Director, Doctor of Ministry Program University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary 1000 East Maple Ave. Mundelein, IL mbertram@usml.edu Website: CURRENT ADMINISTRATION Administrative Director Rev. Raymond J. Webb Project Coordinator Dr. Kathleen Wiskus, D. Min. Theological Coordinator Rev. Robert Schoenstene, SS.L. 7

8 ADMINISTRATION AND DIRECTION DIRECTORS AND FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR 1. Duties: A. Preparation of a budget for the submission to the Seminary Administrators. B. Supervision of the arrangements involved in intensives and regular weekly meetings of the candidates. C. Contracting and paying of academic and supervisory personnel as requested by the program director D. Communication and Publicity E. Scheduling F. Member of the Doctor of Ministry Board G. Member of Admission Board H. Member of Program Committee PROJECT COORDINATOR The program and project director attends to the running of the program, the progress of the candidates, and the needs of the candidates. The program and project director does significant teaching in the theological reflection sections of the program. The project director is a member of the Admissions Committee, the Program Committee, and the Doctor of Ministry Board. THEOLOGICAL COORDINATOR The theological director consults on the overall content of the program, teaches in the program, and is a member of the admissions committee, the program committee, and the Doctor of Ministry board. FACULTY The Doctor of Ministry program will be staffed by the faculty of the USML/Mundelein Seminary, or, when appropriate, by other individuals. When such other individuals are retained for courses in the D.Min. program, they will function as members of the Adjunct Faculty of the Seminary. 8

9 BOARD AND COMMITTEES DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BOARD Because it is the official degree granting institution, ultimate responsibility for the D.Min. program resides with USML/Mundelein Seminary. According to the policies of the Seminary, such a responsibility specifically resides in its Academic Board. As it does in most such programs, the Board has delegated its authority for the direction of the program to a Doctor of Ministry Board. This Board is ultimately responsible to the Academic Board and Seminary Administrators. 1. Membership: A. Dean of the School of Theology (Academic Dean) or his representative B. Rector of the Seminary or his representative C. Administrative Director (currently the Academic Dean) D. Project Coordinator E. Theological Coordinator F. Others, as desired 2. Duties: A. Appointment of the Program Coordinator B. Appointment of the Administrative Director C. Appointment of the Theological Coordinator D. General Supervision and Evaluation of the Program E. Communication and liaison with the Academic Board and Seminary Administrators F. Approval of the Budget G. Recommendation to the Academic Dean and Chancellor that candidates be granted the Doctor of Ministry Degree. ADMISSION COMMITTEE 1. Membership: A. Dean of the School of Theology or his representative B. Administrative Director C. Project Coordinator D. Theological Coordinator E. Others, as needed 9

10 PROGRAM COMMITTEE 1. Membership: A. Administrative Director B. Project Coordinator C. Theological Coordinator 2. Duties: A. Selection and design of appropriate input and supervisory components: curriculum development B. Immediate direction of the candidates C. Assistance with the development of thesis projects D. Acceptance of proposals and final approval of thesis projects CANDIDATE EVALUTION PROCEDURES The evaluation of the candidates basically takes four forms: Pre-Program: The Admissions Committee is very aware that its activity constitutes a type of pre-program evaluation. If the selection of candidates is handled effectively, further evaluations will be of a constructive and encouraging nature. Therefore, each application will be carefully considered in order to determine the candidates ability to succeed in the program. Ongoing: The Doctor of Ministry program entails twenty-four units (eighteen regular courses and six intensives). Each unit is designed to produce a certain skill and/or knowledge. It is the task of the faculty member of each unit to judge whether the candidates have achieved the designated skill and/or knowledge. The judgment will take the traditional form of letters grades (A,B,C,F). Periodic: As needed, at the end of the first year and before the selection of the thesis projects; the candidates will meet with a member of the program committee to determine the extent of their learning and what needs to be done during the second year. Thesis project: The candidates have to plan and carry out a project that, among other things, demonstrates that they have learned the art of theological reflection as transformative and the attendant skills related to training ministers. This project must be written up and contain: a) a factual account and evaluation of the project; b) a critical description of the theological grounding for the project and the theological ideas within the project; c) a critical description of the methodology, execution, results, and implications of the project. For more detail, please consult D.Min. Project Paper Outlines and Appendix: Project Proposal Worksheet. 10

11 OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES The evaluation of the program is multifaceted. 1. Each faculty members evaluates the success of his or her unit with candidates. 2. The Doctor of Ministry Board solicits the suggestions of the faculty and the candidates at the conclusion of each quarter. 3. An on-going dimension of the meetings of the Doctor of Ministry Board is the effectiveness of the program in achieving its goals. 4. The Doctor of Ministry Boards meets periodically to coordinate program and administrative needs and determine general policies. 5. The Doctor of Ministry Board reports periodically to the Academic Board and Administrators of Mundelein Seminary. EQUIVALENCY TO THE M.DIV. DEGREE 1. The general goals of the Master of Divinity degree are grounding in the following theological areas: a. Heritage b. Context c. Practice d. Formation The Association of Theological Schools is not specific as to the specific number of credits required in each area. 2. In evaluating equivalency, the following norm is used: a. A broad range of Theology, Scripture and Ministry courses: 63 hours b. Ministerial Experience (e.g. C.P.E): 9 hours c. The total number of hours is 72 semester hours d. Ministerial and pastoral skills may be established through formal course work, seminars, workshops and pastoral experience. PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH All candidates shall submit a one-page plan for ongoing spiritual and personal growth and development. Often the plan will outline personal and spiritual growth programs in which the candidate is already participating. 11

12 THESIS PROJECT CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THESIS PROJECT PROPOSALS The Program Committee has established the following criteria for acceptance of proposals for thesis projects: 1. The project is substantive A. There is genuine ministry involved, a response to real needs B. There is a significant contribution made to the theory and practice of ministry C. There is a specific project involved, not simply a project area 2. The project is repeatable, i.e., someone else could use the thesis as a basis for doing the project in his or her own context. (We recognize that there is a need to make some exceptions to this, due to the nature of some projects.) 3. The project is congregation or site-based. 4. The project demonstrates the outcomes of the D.Min. program: a working knowledge of the skills and art of theological reflection in a specific ministerial setting. 5. The project must make some contribution to knowledge about ministry. In other words, there must be something new about it. You must review what other people have done in similar situations. You must ground the project in theology and other disciplines (if relevant). PROJECT SELECTION A member of the Program Committee is actively involved with each D.Min. candidate in the selection of his/her thesis project. Thesis project development may take place through a series of steps and events during the two years of course work. At least two courses in the program directly relate to the selection and development of a thesis project. The thesis-project proposal must be submitted and approved before formal work can begin on the project. The proposal is submitted in the form of the Thesis Project Outline. In other words, the student will briefly describe the content of each of the six chapters of the thesis project. Special attention is to be paid to chapter five, the methodology section, which must describe in detail how the project is to be done as well as how results are to be assessed. The proposal is to be given to the Dean s secretary and is to be kept in the student s file, along with a note of approval from the program committee or its delegate. 12

13 The thesis project proposal is to include the names of a project advisor and a theological consultant for the thesis project. These two persons must be approved by the program committee or its delegate. The Program Committee, once an advisor and a reader have been assigned to the candidate, will remain in communication with the advisor and reader for the purpose of assuring the effectiveness of the program, and for on-going evaluation. The project advisor, the theological consultant, and a member of the Program Committee must approve the final thesis before the degree will be granted. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROJECT ADVISOR The development and completion of each thesis project is done under the direct supervision of a project advisor. The project advisor must hold the degree of Doctor of Ministry or the equivalent. The candidates will suggest advisors. The advisor, working with the candidate: Assists in developing the thesis project; Assists in completing and evaluating the project; Supervises the writing of the completed thesis project; including proper form, proof reading, and the details of clear and effective writing Serves as a principal reader of the completed thesis project; Serves as a faculty member of the Doctor of Ministry program. The project advisor meets as often as needed with the candidate and is in consultation with the program committee through the program administrator. The advisor is formally assigned to the candidate when the thesis project proposal is accepted by the Program Committee. Ideally, this would be by the completion of the Winter Quarter term of the second year in the Doctor of Ministry program. The advisor, once assigned, works with the candidate to the completion and acceptance of the final draft of the thesis project. It is the responsibility of the project advisor check the text for spelling, grammar, and format correctness. (In consultation with the Program Committee, and only with its approval, a candidate may be assigned a new advisor should some irreconcilable difficulty arise.) 13

14 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND THE THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT Each candidate is assigned to a theological consultant for his/her thesis project. Whereas the advisor holds the responsibility to critique, and develop the total thesis project with the candidate, the theological consultant or reader assists the candidate in broadening and deepening the theological ideas present in the thesis project. The theological consultants are drawn primarily from the faculty of USML/Mundelein Seminary, although other persons with appropriate doctorates are also suitable. The theological consultants will meet each candidate on a quarterly basis once the candidate begins work on the thesis. The consultant will continue to meet the candidate periodically until the thesis project is completed. The theological consultant will ascertain the adequacy of the theology in the thesis project, and will inform the advisor of the candidate of final approval of the theological component. The theological consultant will also be engaged in on-going dialogue with the Program Committee. PROJECT COMPLETION The candidate should submit the thesis project in final draft within one year of the completion of the project. The project advisor, the theological consultant, and a member of the Program Committee should give their approval of the final draft by April 1 st of the year in which the candidate expects to graduate. The theological consultant will ascertain the adequacy of the theological ideas. The project advisor will insure that the thesis project meets all of the criteria for final approval. The program committee member will ensure that the thesis project meets the standards of the program. A public presentation will be scheduled. THE THIRD READER A member of the Program Committee will act as third reader of the project. PUBLIC PRESENTATION The candidate will present the results of his thesis project research in a 30 minute public session. COMPLETION OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS The candidate is deemed to have fulfilled all of the requirements to receive the degree when all course work has been completed and all three readers have accepted his thesis project paper. 14

15 PROJECT PAPER COMPLETION LIMITS The project in ministry paper is to be completed no more than TWO YEARS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE TWO-YEAR FORMAL CLASS WORK. Up to three extensions of one year may be contracted through USML/Mundelein Seminary with an additional fee ($ for the year). Without these extensions, one ceases to be a candidate for the D.Min. degree three years after coursework is completed. The administrative assistant will contact candidates every year to get an indication of their progress. If the administrative assistant is unable to contact a candidate, the candidate will be considered to be no longer in the program. Readmission to the program is possible under exceptional circumstances. (Doctor of Ministry Board, January 30, 1986; updated August 21, 2000; updated, May 2010) PROJECT PROPOSAL The D. Min. project proposal will follow the format of the D. Min. Project Paper: Chapter Outlines, which follows this section. It will be about words in length. The project proposal will include the overall theological vision of the thesis project (chapter 3), as well as the theological issues involved in the project. For example, the guiding vision of a thesis project might be based on Newman s theology of education (chapter 3). Other issues might be the Franciscan virtues one is attempting to promote in a particular Franciscan university stetting. Briefly state how this section might be developed (resources, reasoning, documents, authors, etc.). The proposal will describe social science and human wisdom which the will be drawn. It will also describe the projected review of the literature for information and related projects and solutions. Chapter five will include specific behavioral measurable goals for the target group (e.g. Enable participants to ). Describe the program being designed that would address the needs and goals of the project. This section should include target population, methodology in sufficient detail, and a timetable. Describe how the results of the project will be assessed. 15

16 D.MIN. PROJECT PAPER: CHAPTER OUTLINES Chap. I. Introduction -overview -what you intended to do -brief description of target group -about four pages in length in final paper, usually written last Chap. II. The Situation you are addressing -what is the need you are meeting and how do you know it exists -all the particulars Chap. III. Theology which illumines the situation and points to a solution -from several areas or one area -from several theologians or one -include a Catholic focus -some reference or connection to your theology of ministry -may be the background theology which focuses the project or may be the theology specifically used in the project (i.e. theology of the project or theology within the project) -in either case, the theology will be at a level appropriate for this advanced degree -about 15 to 20 pages Chap. IV. Wisdom that further illuminates the situation, including a survey of other solutions. -may draw on social science (psychology, sociology, anthropology, organizational science, etc.), humanities, etc. -may report on review of appropriate literature about similar projects or areas -e.g. similar religious education programs for homeless children Chap. V. A detailed description of the design and actual execution of the project A. The rationale -why are you doing this project and not something else -how this makes a contribution to our knowledge about ministry -how this project differs from similar ventures B. The detailed plan -the actual steps proposed and taken -how you propose to measure results C. Execution -problems encountered -changes made Chap. VI. Results, discussion, plans for the future, questions raised for theology -what changed, how persons were affected by changes -how the plan or information could be used by others -how it might be done differently in the future -what questions are raised for the theology in chapter three; how is the theology illuminated 16

17 APPENDIX I: THESIS PROJECT: STYLE SHEET Please consult the Mundelein Seminary Writers Style Manual (available electronically) or Kate Turabian, A Manuel for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. (6 th ed.; Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996). Font: Roman Size: 13 point main text 10 point note numbers (plain, superscript), Turabian, ; 14.14; Line Spacing: Double space in main text Single space in quotes Four lines before and after block quotes Four lines between chapter title and first line Four lines before start of new section within chapter Margins: 1 top, bottom, right; 1.25 on left. Indentations: 0.5 and 6.0 for all block quotes and in bibliography Chapter Headings: Centered and all caps in boldface Alignment: Main text justified throughout Special Usage - church appears lower case unless within a quote or when part of larger title (e.g. Catholic Church) -Books of the bible appear in plain type (no italics or underline), Turabian Book titles appear in italics -Sections of the work are referred to in lower case (chapter, appendix, exhibit, etc.), Turabian Chapter numbers appear spelled out in title of chapter, but as number within text -Foreign titles appear sentence style; only the initial word and major words have initial capital letters (Lumen Gentium, Gaudium et spes), Turabian 4.10, Italics only; underlining is not used unless with a direct quote, Turabian

18 1. Assumptions APPENDIX II: THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT -a beginning -will develop as we go -need for a lot of communication -immediate airing of problems as they occur 2. General idea of theological consultancy -resourcing bridge questions -sufficient depth in the material -a judgment call -the questions of garnering support for the theological ideas expressed 3. The theological areas of the thesis project -theology of the project -the theological vision that permeates and shapes the project -theology within the project -special questions that occur within the project -encounters within the project that have theological significance -theological ideas and material used in the execution of the project 18