doctor of ministry

The educational goals for the Doctor of Ministry degree, as set out by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada are:

The Doctor of Ministry program at St. Stephen’s College welcomes persons from all world views, faith traditions and spiritual expressions and understands “ministry” with a very broad and inclusive perspective.

Owing to the accelerated blurring of lines between the “sacred” and the “secular” in contemporary society, today’s professionals are continually pressed to craft a redefinition of the nature and role of their work within this matrix of convergence, in a way which takes account of both personal value-oriented service and public responsibility. The St. Stephen’s College Doctor of Ministry program chooses to define “ministry,” within specific faith communities and the broader society, as the work of those persons involved in human service in which the practitioner is self-reflectively aware of the nurturing quality of that activity. Persons who define their work activity as being committed to the improvement and nurture of society and the world community, including such fields as education, faith/religious community assignments, chaplaincy, mediation, management, media services, the arts, health care, counseling, Intercultural relationships, and care of the earth are recognized by St. Stephen’s College as being in ministry. (adopted 17 February 2010)

Persons interested in advanced and graduate level work in a variety of professional fields associated with “ministry” or in the practical interface between the arts, humanities, sciences, ecology, learning theory, and psychology, on the one hand,  and spirituality, religion or theology, on the other, will find the St. Stephen's College Doctor of Ministry program ideally suited for them.
 
The DMin program is for active practitioners who wish to pursue intensive, specialized studies in their area of interest. The program is committed to an adult learning model, guided by an individualized learning covenant, and to a balanced emphasis on theory and practice. Thus, learners may use the program to develop themselves in a way that takes into account their personal and professional needs and interests.

Focus Options:

ADMISSION PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS

The ATS academic prerequisite degree for the DMin program is a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree from an ATS accredited institution (Grade Average minimum 72% - see Admissions Policy) or its educational equivalent. Prospective students with other graduate degrees are given serious consideration, provided equivalencies in theology and the human sciences can be demonstrated.

Other requirements for entry into the program include:

  • At least 3 years experience in ministry, care-giving, professional service or educational functions that include an explicit spiritual dimension.
  • Evidence of a capacity to integrate theory with practice (e.g. Supervised Pastoral Education with the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE/ACPEP), completion of training as a Spiritual Director, published papers, appointment to ecclesiastical committee/task forces, etc.)
  • Evidence of reflective capabilities that attend to spiritual and values foundations integrated into one’s professional practice.

Application Deadlines:

Applications are invited throughout the year, enabling successful applicants to begin the development of a Learning Covenant. In order to participate in the first course of a given year applicants possessing the above listed prerequisite degree and requirements must submit their completed applications to the College no later than 01 February. Any applicants who require an evaluation of academic equivalencies must have their completed applications submitted to the College by 01 December ($75 fee for evaluation).

To download Program Description and Application Form: click here

To download a trifold brochure: click here

Orientation Day for new students: April 27, 2013

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

33 Credits

Equivalent to two years full-time study, plus research and dissertation.
Part-time Study Model: 4-5 years
Full-time Study Model: 3 years

Application, Interview & Learning Covenant Formation (0 cr)

Course: Inquiry, Evaluation/Search for Knowledge SSC771 (3 cr)

Integrative Seminar 1 (3 cr)

Collegium: Online Learning Community 1 (1 cr)

Foundational Course 1: Religious/Spiritual/Theological Foundations (3 cr)

Foundational Course 2: Learner’s focus of expertise (3 cr)

Integrative Seminar 2 (3 cr)

Collegium: Online Learning Community 2 (1 cr)

Foundational Course 3: Methodologies for Knowledge Generation (3 cr)

Supervised Project (Preliminary Pilot Project) (3 cr)

Integrative Seminar 3 (3 cr)

Collegium: Online Learning Community 3 (1cr)

Participation in annual Integrative Seminar & Online Learning Community until P/D completed

Integrative Paper (3 cr)

P/D Proposal (1.5 cr)

P/D Design (1.5 cr)

Project Dissertation (150-200 double-spaced pages) (0 cr)

Public Presentation of Project Dissertation Research on Convocation day

To Download Program Description and Application Form: click here