Context-Centered Collegial Learning
All students undertake their study from within a particular context of ministry so that every course and the project thesis become opportunities for reflection upon the practice and experience of vocation, leadership and community building. Classroom work expects serious engagement with the theological and social sciences disciplines, discernment as to vocational direction, and assessment of leadership roles for building and sustaining healthy congregational life and communities. Perkins Doctor of Ministry courses assume professional competence and the desire to engage in a cohort/collegial process of learning with other professionals with the guidance and direction of competent faculty and other practitioners. The Integrative Seminar and Strategic Planning in Contexts of Change and Transitions course presupposes the integration of course work with the students’ Christian vocational clarity and leadership experience and provides the foundational work to design the directed study and ground the thesis seminar towards the final writing project.
Course Structure and Format
The curriculum is designed with the expectation that students will continue their active practice of ministry and/or Christian leadership vocation while they are pursuing the degree. All students join a cohort and begin the program of study in mid-June.
The program of study follows the following structure:
- Complete the 30 credit hours courses with a GPA of 3.0 or above within the time limit of 3 years:
- Completion of the Writing Project within the time limit of one academic year after course work is completed (from fall to spring) and completion of the program within the program’s time limit of 3 years.
- Approval of the Writing project by advisor and second reader.
Time and Money
The minimum time for completion of degree requirements is 5 consecutive terms for course work and 1 academic year for thesis writing (ordinarily 2 years and 10 months). All course work must be completed within 2 years from the start of the program. The thesis is to be completed during the academic year after course work is finished. Those who require to skip a term or need additional time to complete the program and/or the thesis will request permission from the director of the D.Min. program. Extensions for completing the thesis will require registration for a D.Min. Research Course each term. Tuition is paid by the term and those costs are listed under Tuition Costs.
Applications
Applications are accepted throughout the year in the order in which they are received and are considered when they are complete. Early application is recommended so that required pre-class readings and assignments can be completed before classes meet.
Applications must be completed by March 15th for June admission.
Please refer to the Perkins School of Theology Catalog for more details concerning the requirements of the Doctor of Ministry degree.
For more information, please contact the Doctor of Ministry Office:
dmin@smu.edu
214.768.2432 (Pamela Hogan, Program Coordinator)