Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
A renowned program for ministry professionals to enhance leadership skills and theological imagination. While remaining fully immersed in your own ministry context, you are invited into a cohort of scholarly community engagement to cultivate effective ministries in a changing world.
This is a flexible, ecumenical, cross-cultural program that draws on students’ expertise in ministry; students remain in their existing ministry base throughout. You will gain advanced expertise in the general practice of ministry as well as advanced skill in a specialized area of research particular to your ministry.
This degree is awarded conjointly with the University of Toronto.
Goals
Designed to develop excellence in the practice of ministry through a creative coordination of theological reflection, professional development, social analysis and personal integration.
Provides advanced study for those already engaged in the practice of ministry in its varied forms, the program enables critical reflection on your ministry practice in collaboration with other students.
The emphasis is on advancing personal, professional, and theological integration to help participants achieve a high level of competency in the practice of ministry and its theoretical underpinnings.
Admission requirements
You must have a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from a recognized college or university and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree (or equivalent) accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, with a B+ average or better.
A minimum of three years’ experience in the practice of ministry is required following the MDiv degree or its equivalency.
You must be engaged in a recognized ministry (normally full-time), which will serve as the ministry base during this period of advanced professional study.
Program requirements
Participants carry out their studies (course work, comprehensive exam, ministry project, thesis) while engaged in some form of ministerial work. The program normally takes four years and must be completed within six years.
The program involves learning that is self-directed, communal, interdisciplinary and integrative. The key aspects of the program are:
- A Collaborative Learning Group (CLG) that meets on campus for two weeks each June and provides mutual support and inspiration online throughout the year. The CLG group will work through three core courses together: Contextual Theology, Theology of Ministry and Qualitative Research Methods.
- A Ministry Base Group (MBG) that involves individuals from your own ministry context who are co-learners on your journey offering wisdom, support and insights into your unique ministry practice.
- Four elective courses give you an opportunity to engage with a variety of faculty members whose teaching and research abilities will deepen your understanding of the theology and practice of ministry.
- You will work with an advisor from your TST college, as well as a thesis supervisor with expertise in your specific area of interest. With the support of these faculty members, you will develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), engage in a process of interdisciplinary learning which will result in a comprehensive examination, create a thesis proposal that addresses a specific question relevant to your ministry context and create and defend a thesis that integrates theology, practice and context.
More information is available at the Toronto School of Theology or by contacting: (416) 978-6754, dmin.office@utoronto.ca.
Applications are administered through the TST’s Graduate Centre for Theological Studies.