Doctor of Ministry Program

The Doctor of Ministry Committee During the first year of study, the student will invite, in consultation with the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, three people to serve on a committee to supervise the approved project practicum and the written project thesis. The committee will consist of an advisor, a reader and a field supervisor. Either the advisor or the reader must be a member of the Perkins regular faculty, with the other committee member selected from the regular or adjunct faculty. It is recommended that a Perkins regular faculty member serve as advisor. The field supervisor should be recognized as having gifts and experience in ministry that are applicable to the practicum and be available to consult with the student during the practicum as well as to evaluate the student’s practicum. The entire committee will guide, read and evaluate the student’s professional practicum and project thesis. When the professional project is completed satisfactorily as determined by the committee in consultation with the director of Advanced Studies, the student will participate in an oral evaluation on the school campus by the committee on the professional project thesis. At a minimum, both the student and advisor must be physically present for the oral evaluation. It is recommended that all committee members be physically present with the student for the evaluation. All committee members must be present for the evaluation, either in person or by electronic means. Project Practicum and Thesis The professional project practicum and thesis combine research, a designed ministerial field experience and a written doctoral-level project that addresses both the nature and the practice of ministry and has the potential for application in other ministry contexts. 1. The professional project is an approved practicum experience and written thesis that articulates the theological and theoretical rationale for the practicum with theological reflection on the experience. 2. The professional project in both its parts (practicum and written thesis) should demonstrate the student’s ability to identify a specific theological topic in ministry, organize an effective research model, use appropriate resources, evaluate the results and reflect the student’s depth of theological insight in relation to ministry. 3. The written project thesis must be submitted in an approved style and format. 4. Upon completion of the professional project and with the student’s Doctor of Ministry committee’s permission, the student will sit for an oral examination administered by the project committee and open to the public covering the project and the student’s integration of her or his theology and practice of ministry. This examination will take place on campus, with at a minimum the student and advisor present. Other committee members may participate via electronic means if necessary. At completion of the doctoral project and successful oral evaluation, the completed written project thesis will be accessioned in Bridwell Library.