DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM HANDBOOK Revised August 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 2 Program Goals... 2 Overview of Program... 2 Admission Requirements... 2 Facilitating Structures... 2 Program of Study... 3 Required Seminars... 3 Elective Courses... 4 Project in Ministry... 5 D.Min. Thesis... 6 Candidacy Review... 6 Oral Exam... 6 Leave of Absence... 6 APPENDICES... 7 Appendix A Advising Guidelines... 8 Appendix B Program Sequence by Year... 10 Appendix C Program of Study Guidelines... 11 Appendix D Directed Reading Guidelines... 12 Appendix E Project Proposal Guidelines... 13 Appendix F Human Subject Protocol... 14 Appendix G D.Min. Thesis Guidelines... 18 Appendix H Format for D.Min. Thesis... 20 1
Introduction The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) is an advanced professional degree designed to prepare religious leaders for specialized ministerial practice as leaders and teachers in church, synagogue, mosque, hospital, shelter, clinic or other faith-based or social-service organizations. This is done through academic work and integrated reflection on ministerial practice with a cohort of colleagues to support and challenge learning. It strives to promote the capacity of students to reflect critically on ministerial practice, design and evaluate fresh approaches to ministry, and communicate significant understandings and insight gained to peers in the profession. Program Goals The D.Min. course of study will support students as they: Identify and articulate an issue in a specific ministerial context that invites a new perspective for understanding, interpreting, and living prophetically in the church and society. Demonstrate the capacity to understand and use theological and theoretical resources that enhance vocational goals and support transforming ministerial practices. Design, implement, and evaluate a project in ministry that integrates theory and practice in forms easily appropriated and applied in other contexts. Demonstrate the ability to engage in contextual theological reflection that examines and interprets insights and expressions of ministerial practice Demonstrate commitment and capacity to serve as an agent of change in an increasingly diverse world. Overview of Program Admission Requirements Applicants must have at least three years of ministry experience following their first graduate theological degree (the B.D., M. Div., or their equivalent.) They must demonstrate evidence of a capacity for an advanced level of competence and writing skills sufficient to produce a D.Min. project of high quality. A masters-level writing sample demonstrating integrative theological work should also be submitted with application. Facilitating Structures There are three primary persons or groups that support students throughout the program: 2
Director of the Program serves as chair of the Doctor of Ministry committee, coordinates the administrative components of the program, and serves as faculty member and advisor as needed. Doctor of Ministry Committee has responsibility for monitoring the processes and decisions of the program regarding admissions, Project Proposals approvals, Candidacy Reviews, and student petitions. Faculty Advisor works with students in required consultations to discuss and approve the Program of Study, Project Proposal, and D.Min. Thesis as well as general guidance throughout the program. [See Appendix A] Program of Study In this program, students are invited to engage in study across disciplines through research and reflection that integrates areas of theology and the social sciences to create new perspectives and practices in ministry. Students must complete 4 required seminars, 6 elective courses, a ministry project, and a D.Min. Thesis. The required seminars are offered in a five-day intensive format during January or August of each year. Students have flexibility in choosing the elective courses and, with the help of their advisor, can design the sequence of courses that best serve the goal of increased professional competence. [See Appendix B] At least four of the six elective courses must be taken with resident CTS faculty. D.Min. students are normally expected to complete the program within three years. Any anticipated exceptions require a petition to the D.Min. committee at the beginning of the student s program. After three years, D.Min. students who require additional time to complete the program must submit a petition to the D.Min. committee proposing a timetable for completion that does not exceed two additional years. Students will be charged a continuation fee for each additional semester. [See schedule of fees in Student Handbook]. Required Seminars Orientation Seminar This first seminar provides a time for students to share their initial project ideas as they gain clarify about the issue, context, and goals of their project. This will include dialogue and mutual sharing in large and small groups as well as a time for individual writing and reflection. This is also the time for students to receive detailed information about the structure and requirements of the program. At the end of this seminar students will have the preliminary information to begin their Program of Study (POS) [See Appendix C]. Before October 1st of the fall semester entering students are responsible for meeting with their advisor to continue refining the POS that must be approved by the advisor by November 1st in order for students to register for the Theological Reflection Seminar. 3
Theological Reflection Seminar The purpose of this second seminar is to engage students in theological reflection in relation to the practice, problem, or issue in ministry that they have identified in their POS. It will engage students in discussion and mutual engagement on theological resources that will enhance their skills of theological reflection, as they become more sensitive practitioners of ministry in their context. The seminar will include informed dialogue and mutual sharing in large and small groups as well as a time for individual writing and reflection. Once students successfully complete this seminar they can register for the Research Methods Seminar. Research Methods Seminar-- During this third seminar, students will explore and discuss several social science and research methods with the goal of selecting tools to gather and evaluate data for their ministry project. They will also reflect on the ethical implications of the selected method/s and develop the appropriate human consent protocols for the project participants. The seminar will include informed dialogue and mutual sharing in large and small groups as well as a time for individual writing and reflection. At the end of this seminar students will have clarity on the research method and tools that is best for their project. By October 1st of the fall semester, students are responsible for meeting with their advisor to begin working on the Project Proposal. This document must be approved by the advisor and submitted to the D.Min. committee for review by November 1st; at that time the committee will affirm readiness for the project to begin or will offer additional suggests as needed. D.Min. Thesis Seminar This final seminar will provide a time to refine and make final revisions to the D.Min. Thesis, in advance of the oral defense. This seminar will include dialogue and mutual sharing in large and small groups as well as time for individual writing and reflection. At the end of this seminar students will finalize the draft and seek approval from their advisor regarding the readiness of the D.Min. Thesis for oral defense, making additional changes if needed. Through this sequence of required seminars, students will attain the appropriate prerequisite competencies to support their research while also forming collegial relationships with other D.Min. students. Each seminar has specified deadlines for approval of documents and drafts. Elective Courses Students are advised to complete all elective courses by the end of the fall of the second semester (or just before they begin work on their project) There are two ways that students can fulfill their elective requirements: 1. Select courses from the CTS curriculum or up to two courses from the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) catalogue (http://www.actschicago.org) that are advanced level (500), including online classes where appropriate. 4
If a course is at the masters/intermediate level (400), D.Min. students are expected to complete all required work plus additional assignments. Professors should meet with students early in semester to become familiar with the issue, context, and goals of the ministry project to create appropriate supplements. D.Min. students cannot take courses at the introductory level (300). Together they should create or modify an assignment(s) that relates to the intended research, sharpening the student s competencies in one or more of the following areas: 1) contextual analysis, 2) theological reflection, or 3) theoretical interpretation. 2. Students can also arrange to take a Directed Reading with a particular professor. Students should contact the professor of a prospective course the semester before the class and make the necessary arrangements, guided by the Directed Reading Guidelines [See Appendix D]. It is important for students to work closely with their advisor to create a clear and logical progression of elective courses that develop a solid foundation for the ministry project. Project in Ministry At the very heart of the D.Min. program is the Project in Ministry that brings together academic study with practical application. This Project is guided by the Project Proposal, which is a detailed narrative outline that students use as a map to conduct and evaluate the Project in Ministry. [See Appendix E] This 10-15 page document should: 1) clearly state the issue, question or concern in ministry that is being addressed and the goals to be accomplished in the project, 2) describe the contextual scope of the project, 3) reflect on the theological resources and implications for the project, and 4) outline the steps of the project. D.Min. projects normally assume one of two designs: a curricular resource or program model to be tested and evaluated with a targeted population a critical study on an example of excellence in ministry to be tested and evaluated with professional peers Any D.Min. project that involves interaction with people and communities (surveys, observations and interviews, focus groups, etc.) requires special attention to protect human subjects. The student/researcher bears responsibility for any way in which research has an effect on participating individuals and communities. Participants must be fully informed about the purpose of the researcher s intervention and the data collection must be handled in such a way as to protect the confidentiality of the participants. Students, therefore, must complete the Human Subject Protocol, as a part of their Project Proposal. Initial work on this document will be done in the Research Methods Seminar. [See Appendix F] 5
D.Min. Thesis The culminating document of the program is the D.Min. Thesis (DMTh) which is a critical study of a ministry practice that is grounded in concrete empirical data that tests, analyzes, and demonstrates examples of fresh and innovative approaches that make significant contributions to the practice of ministry for transformative leaders. It should be a 75-100 page document that includes project analysis, examples of research tools (survey, questionnaire, etc.), and an annotated bibliography. [See Appendix G] Candidacy Review After completing all coursework except the DMTh Seminar students will participate in a Candidacy Review conducted by the D.Min. Committee. At that time, students will submit a copy of their advisor-approved D.Min. Thesis to the Committee for review. Additionally, the Committee will certify that a student has completed nine out of ten courses with a 3.0 or higher GPA and will gather and evaluate printed transcripts from other institutions as needed. Oral Exam The DMTh must be examined by May 1st of the year that the student expects to graduate. Students are responsible for selecting two members of the faculty to serve as examiners and together they will schedule the oral exam date during the month of April. Copies of the final Thesis must be in the hands of the examining team two weeks before the scheduled exam. Leave of Absence Students may arrange to take a leave of absence for a period of time (no more than two years) by submitting a petition to the D.Min. Committee, clearly stating the reason and a timetable; if approved, the leave will not require readmission. While on leave, students will be charged a continuation fee for each semester they are absent. [See schedule of fees in CTS Student Handbook] Periods when a student is on a Leave of Absence will not apply to the three-year completion requirement. 6
APPENDICES 7
Appendix A Advising Guidelines General Academic Programs CTS uses the Empower system both for academic advising and student enrollment in courses. The Dean assigns advisors for new students. (Exceptions: Ph.D. advisors are assigned by the Ph.D. Center upon admission; D.Min. advisors are assigned by the D.Min. Committee upon admission. Advising assignments will be communicated to incoming students prior to the student s first term of study. New students should contact their advisors prior to the start of the student s first semester to initiate the registration process. In most cases this will be during the Orientation week prior to the fall semester. At the conclusion of an advising conversation, the advisor will provide the student with an enrollment PIN number. Students can then self-enroll in classes via Empower. Introductions to the Empower system are provided to students during student orientation. Student support with registration is available from the Registrar and on the CTS webpage (Academic Programs drop-down menu, Registrar s office tab). The above guidelines for advisors also pertain to online students. Continuing students should contact their advisors to initiate the registration process during the registration period published each semester by the Registrar (these periods are in the fall for registration for J-Term and spring courses, and in the spring for registration for summer and fall courses). Students carrying an outstanding balance will not be able to register until the balance is resolved, or a payment plan has been arranged through the Administrative Council. Although the shape of the advising conversations will vary by degree program, during regular advising conversations, the following topics should be addressed, as needed: Progress toward degree/course of study Vocational discernment Whether a concentration is desired/appropriate in light of ecology of courses taken, and if so, whether a student will be able to complete an intended concentration Student well-being; issues and concerns D.Min. Program Newly enrolled D.Min. students will, as much as possible, be assigned to advisors by area of interest at the close of the weeklong Orientation Seminar, just prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The instructor of the Seminar will act as the initial advisor, helping students register and providing them with an enrollment PIN number so that students can self-register after the final consultation. Following the Orientation Seminar, students should consult with their permanent advisor around future course advising and the completion of their Program of Study (POS). 8
Throughout the program, D.Min. students should contact advisors in a timely fashion at the following key points in the program, in order to discuss and gain approval of their work: The first draft of the Program of Study by October 1st of the first year. [See Appendix C] Final approval of Program of Study by November 1st of the first year. The first draft of the Project Proposal by October 1st of the second year. [See Appendix E] Final approval of the Project Proposal by November 1st of the second year. The first draft of the D.Min. Thesis by October 1st of the third year. [See Appendix G] Final draft of the D.Min. Thesis by March 1st of third year. 9
Appendix B Program Sequence by Year 1 st Year 2 nd Year 3 rd Year Fall Semester Orientation Seminar Begin work on Program of Study (POS) Begin Coursework* Meet with advisor by October 1st to begin discussion and refine POS Receive advisor approval of POS by November 1st Registration in Theological Reflection Seminar Fall Semester Research Methods Seminar (August) Coursework* Meet with advisor by October 1st to begin work on Project Proposal (PP) Receive advisor approval of PP as credible draft and submit to D.Min. committee by November 1st Upon committee approval, begin project Fall Semester Meet with advisor by October 1 st to begin discussion on the DMTh draft Receive advisor approval of DMTh draft and submit to D.Min. committee by November 1st for Candidacy Review. Upon approval of candidacy, register for D.Min. Thesis Seminar. January Term Theological Reflection Seminar Coursework January Term Conduct Ministry Project (ongoing) Coursework* January Term D.Min. Thesis Seminar Spring Semester Coursework* Complete class requirements for Theological Reflection Seminar Register for Research Methods Seminar Spring Semester Conduct Ministry Project (ongoing) Spring Semester Revise draft as necessary; submit to advisor for final approval by March 1st Advisor certifies to Registrar that paper is examinable Schedule Oral Exam of D.Min. Thesis during April Submit Formatted Thesis to Library by May 1st Summer Term Coursework* Summer Term Finalize project Graduation *It is recommended that students complete all elective courses by the end of the first semester of their second year. 10
Appendix C Program of Study Guidelines The Program of Study (POS) is a 2-3 page document that should include the following: 1. Issue in the Practice of Ministry This section should describe the issue/question/concern that will be the focus of the ministry project. 2. Contextual Scope of Ministry Project This section should provide an initial description of the ministry project context that includes relevant aspects about the institutional, geographic, cultural, social, and theological locations of the ministry site. 3. Proposed Project & Description This section should offer a working title, clearly state the goals of the project, describe possible activities, identify who will be involved, and outline the anticipated timeframe. 4. Proposed Course of Study This section should list the courses and instructors at CTS and other institutions that will support the academic work of the program, including potential Directed Reading courses. 5. Bibliography This initial list of resources should include scholarly articles, books, and other resources relevant to the issue/problem/concern of the ministry project, to be annotated for the final D.Min. Thesis. 11
Appendix D Directed Reading Guidelines 1. A normal faculty load for directed readings is two to three per year. 2. A maximum load normally is four (unless a regular course is cancelled with agreement of the dean). 3. Ordinarily directed readings are not offered where a similar subject is offered in the ACTS catalog. 4. Directed readings are normally reserved for doctoral students in light of the dearth of seminars available for these students. 5. The student will draw up a reading list and a proposal of expectations to be approved or revised by the faculty member in advance of registering for the course. 6. Normally faculty and student(s) will meet five times for an hour each. Sessions are to be scheduled in advance. 7. Since the student s time is freed for reading and writing (relatively little for class time), it is expected that the work done by the student (both reading and writing) will exceed that for a normal Ph.D. seminar (regardless of the degree program for which the student is enrolled). 8. The faculty member may require the student to submit a written analysis (for example, 3-5 pages single-space) of the assigned reading in advance of the meeting with the student. If the analysis is not ready (e.g., 24 hours in advance) the faculty member may postpone the session until the work is done and a new meeting time is agreed to. 9. Normally the student will be expected to cover five (5) to fifteen (15) books, prepare five written analyses, and a synthetic or research paper. Academic Council adopted the Directed Reading Policy November 3, 2000. 12
Appendix E Project Proposal Guidelines The Project Proposal is a detailed narrative outline of the proposed project that should be 10-15 pages double-spaced. It will serve as a map or guide for the project, should strive for clarity and readability, and contain the following components: Issue in the Practice of Ministry Provides a clear statement that describes the overall issue, concern, or question that the project seeks to address. Contextual Scope of the Ministry Project Provides a thick description of the context of the project. The following questions should be considered: What are the institutional, geographical, cultural, and social particularities of the setting? Who are the persons or groups that will be involved? What is the relevant demographic information about the setting? What are significant gift and/or challenge anticipated within this context? Theological Dimension of Ministry Project Identifies the theological concept(s) that guides and supports the foundation of the ministry project. The following questions should be considered: What theological concept(s) is most central to your study within the ministry context, (ecclesiology, justice, sin, eschatology, etc.)? Who are the primary theological dialogue partners that help you more clearly understand the issue/question/concern in this context? What questions and/or insights do you think will arise in this ministry context in light of the emerging theological lens? Project Description & Design Gives the detailed steps and timeline of the project from beginning to end. It should include a sample of any survey, questionnaire, focus group questions or evaluations that will be used. The following questions should be considered: What are the goals of the project? What specifically will be done in this project? What is the logic/rationale for this sequence? Is there a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end? What is the design of the project (Materials, Model, or Research producing) and what specific documents will this project produce? How does the design of the project attempt to achieve the goals you have identified? Research Method -- Describes the selected data collecting tools and the rational for their use and should include the completed Human Subjects Protocol. Following questions should be considered: What research method(s) will be used to gather and assess the necessary data for this project? Why do you think these tools are the most effective given the nature of your research? What will constitute a successful project and why? 13
Appendix F Human Subject Protocol All students intending to use human subjects in CTS Ph.D. dissertations, S.T.M., M.A.R.L., M.Div., and M.A. theses, or D.Min. projects must follow these guidelines, which will be reviewed by the Curriculum and Assessment Committee. The purpose is to ensure an adequate review of the research regarding two central ethical concerns: Human subjects are treated in a manner consistent with their dignity and autonomy specifically that they consent freely and in an informed manner to participation in the research; Human subjects are protected from any risks or harms posed by the research. There are two major documents to be completed: 1) Research Overview, and 2) Consent Form. The research review is NOT intended to assess either the value of the thesis/dissertation topic or of the research design. I. Research Overview (Be as specific as possible) A. Describe the nature and purpose of the research, the number of human subjects that will be involved and the research instrument(s) to be used. (interviews, focus group, surveys, etc.) B. The Research Procedures: How will research be conducted? What will it entail? e.g. ( I will interview the subjects in their homes or a place of their own choosing. I intend only one interview per subject; the interview should last about one hour. I will take notes during the interview, I will only tape record the interview with the subject s permission. ) C. Subject recruitment and selection: How will you recruit, select and generate a pool of subjects? D. Relationship to these subjects 1. Pastor 2. Teacher 3. Relative 4. Associate 5. Other E. Risk and Benefits: State what benefits and what risks you perceive the research posing to the subjects. F. Confidentiality and/or Anonymity: State how the confidentiality and anonymity of data/subject will be preserved. Consider the following questions in your overview: 1. How will data be stored? (The suggested standard is to: 1) store data in a secured/locked manner, and 2) store any key which links the data to the names or identifiers of subjects in a secured/locked manner away from the data) 2. How long will the data be kept? How will data be destroyed? 14
3. What will happen to the data if something happens to you, preventing you from taking the provisions outlined here? 4. If appropriate, how will you collect and analyze the data to insure anonymity? 5. If appropriate, how will you officially report that data to insure anonymity? II. Consent Form The researcher should keep the original signed document and give a copy to the subject. The subject should also receive a copy of the survey instrument or schedule of questions used in the research. If the instrument is not yet completed or the interview is to be open-ended, include some sample questions, indicating the nature of the information/data sought from the subject. Also, if the consent form provided does not meet the needs of a specific project, the researcher can create an adapted version in cooperation with the advisor to be approved by the Curriculum and Assessment Committee. 15
Consent Form Title of the Project Name of Researcher I (print) have been asked to participate in a research study as a part of the (Ph.D. /D.Min./S.T.M./M.A. program at CTS). I understand that this research will focus on and will involve (interview/survey/focus group discussion, etc.) that will take place and will last until. I understand that the risks involved in this project include [or none], my anonymity will be protected and the records and information will be stored securely and only the researcher will have access to them and they will be discarded after the study is completed. I also understand that I am free to refuse to answer any specific questions and to terminate or withdraw completely from the research at any time. While the researcher has copyright protection and retains all intellectual and commercial rights to the materials, I can have access to cite or quote the work for my own purposes. By signing this document I consent to participate in this study. Signature of Subject Date 16
Signature of Researcher Date For information contact Researcher at: Email Phone number Adapted for use from the Doctoral Council, GTU, 2014. 17
Appendix G D.Min. Thesis Guidelines The D.Min. Thesis is the culminating document of the Program and should be 75-100 pages (including the annotated bibliography and appendices) and it demonstrates the student s capacity to fulfill the program goals: Identify and articulate an issue in a specific ministerial context that invites a new perspective for understanding, interpreting, and living prophetically in the church and society. Demonstrate the capacity to understand and use theological and theoretical resources that enhance vocational goals and support transforming ministerial practices. Design, implement, and evaluate a project in ministry that integrates theory and practice in forms easily appropriated and applied in other contexts that lead to personal and social transformation. Demonstrate the ability to engage in contextual theological reflection that examines and interprets insights and expressions of ministerial practice Demonstrate commitment and capacity to serve as an agent of change in an increasingly diverse world. It should include the following components: Title page Abstract (75-100 words) Table of Contents I. Issue in the Practice of Ministry A. Clearly and concisely state the issue/question/concern addressed in this project. B. Describe its importance for the pastoral ministry and identify how it connects to your professional passion and vocational journey. II. Goals & Relevance of Project A. Describe the goals and rationale that you sought to achieve in this project. B. Discuss the way that fulfillment of these goals addressed/solved the issue/question/problem/concern at the center of this project or the challenges you faced if the goals were not fulfilled. C. Summarize significant literature and research, including other D.Min. projects, related to this area of ministry. III. Contextual Scope of Project 18
A. Provide a thick description of the ministry project context. B. Include relevant aspects about the institutional, geographic, cultural, social, and theological locations of the ministry project. IV. Theological Dimensions of the Project A. Describe the theological issues that were central to this study and explain the way they were embedded and illuminated within the context of the project. B. Name the primary theological dialogue partners in the project and discuss the ways that their discourse helped you gain deeper clarity on the issues in this context. V. Description of Project, Research Method, & Tools A. Give a detailed description of the project that includes a rational for each component and the way that they each addressed the project goals. B. Identify the chosen research method and tools and discuss and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses within the project. C. Identify and discuss any ethical questions, concerns and/or consequences that arose through the use of the research methods. VI. Analysis & Project Outcomes A. Analyze and discuss how the design of the project achieved (or did not achieve) the goals of the project. B. Detail and discuss the outcomes of specific aspects of the project and the implications for the ministry project context: Experiences within the project that worked well Areas of transformation observed within the ministry context Unanticipated issues that arose; how they were addressed Questions that still remain or the challenges that must still be addressed regarding the ministry issue in this context. C. Detail recommendations that you have for others attempting to address this issue/question/concern in the practice of ministry. VII. Conclusion A. Reflect on and discuss the theological insights you received during this project about God, ministry, and yourself. B. Examine and discuss how you believe this project built on or differed from work done by others in this area. C. Summarize the project and its contributions to the practice of ministry. VIII. IX. Annotated Bibliography Appendices 19
Appendix H Format for D.Min. Thesis Once the Oral exam has been successfully completed, students must prepare the document for the library using the following guidelines: A. Margins 1. Left margin: 1.5 inches. 2. Right margin: 1 inch. 3. Top and bottom margins: 1.25 inches, except for the first page, which should begin 1.5 inches from the top of the page. B. Footnotes 1. Footnotes are acceptable either at the bottom of each page as cited, or in a list at the end of the paper. 2. Use the most current edition of Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian for footnote and bibliographic citations. Select one footnote format from Turabian and use it consistently. C. Paper and Copy Quality 1. Original typing, laser/letter quality computer printout or good photocopy of these are acceptable. 2. Use bond paper with a cotton content of at least 25%; 100% cotton is preferred. Such paper may be called Resume or Dissertation bond. D. Presentation: Submit the paper in a folder or an envelope by May 1st. Do not weaken the paper with staples or punch holes. 20