Doctor of Ministry

What is this course about?

CSU's Doctor of Ministry degree aims to provide the opportunity for advanced critical reflection on professional practice in the discipline of Christian Ministry and closely related fields.

There are three main aims of the course:

• the extension of a candidate's knowledge of the discipline of Christian Ministry which underpin his or her profession
• the development of attributes required of the candidate to successfully identify, investigate and resolve problems confronting his or her profession
• the successful conduct by the candidate of research into a current problem confronting the profession and the presentation of the findings of the research in a thesis.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, graduates will be able to:

• provide a research grounding for reflective practitioner research and practice-based research in the disciplines that constitute the field of Christian Ministry;
• demonstrate an extended knowledge of the sub-disciplines of Christian Ministry and closely related fields;
• develop to successfully identify, investigate and resolve problems confronting these fields;
• carry out a program of research into current problems confronting Christian Ministry and present the findings of the research in a thesis or portfolio of research;
• demonstrate a developed critical theological approach to ministry and leadership in their profession;
• demonstrate a competitive advantage in achieving high-level success in their profession;
• understand the need for, and have developed the capacity to, engender networks of trust and cooperation among ministry professionals;
• demonstrate development of new skills in the professional areas of preaching, leadership, and management; and
• demonstrate a greater understanding and appreciation of social issues in the mission of the church in a local and global context.

Credit

Up to 32 points credit may be given from the Master of Ministry for the successful completion of MIN540 and MIN541. These subjects are equivalent to: MIN740 Approaches to Enquiry in Ministry, and MIN741 Reflective Practitioner Perspectives in Ministry.

More information about credit and pathways.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Admission requirements

Candidates admitted to the course will:

• hold a Class 1 or Class 2 (Division 1)  Bachelor (Honours) degree    in theology or ministry, or a Master degree by coursework in theology    or ministry (attained at a course credit point average of 6.00 or    better), or a Master degree by research in theology or ministry (variation    to admission requirements based on alternative academic qualifications    will be assessed by the Course Coordinator in consultation with the    Course Management Committee)
• have at least five years of full time (or equivalent) practice    in professional ministry or in a cognate area, a significant amount of which should be able to be shown to be current
• meet the University's English language proficiency requirements, and
• be able to be assessed for variation to admission requirements    based on RPL - this will be assessed by the Course Coordinator in    consultation with the Course Management Committee.

These admission requirements are necessary to ensure that candidates have  sufficient academic ability and professional experience to conduct research  that leads to advanced, critical reflection on professional practice in  the field of Christian Ministry.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 7.0, and with no score lower than 6.5, within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2