Doctor of Ministry

The Master of Arts in Ministry is an integrated program for leadership in local churches, Bible schools, para-church organizations or other non-profit agencies. Students will examine a variety of subjects related directly to biblical study, theological reflection, ministry and leadership.

After successfully completing the Master of Arts in Ministry program, graduates will be able to:

1. Competently interpret biblical texts and apply them in their ministry contexts
2. Articulate a ministry vision and competently implement it
3. Identify one’s ministry contexts and cultures and link it with biblical settings
4. Develop practices of personal and spiritual maturity
5. Lead competently, organize and manage skillfully, mentoring laity for their ministries in families and in local churches

The Master of Arts in Ministry program has been specifically designed for persons engaging in ministries. Average completion time of the program is 3 years. Students can finish in a shorter time. Courses are offered in four terms a year. Each term lasts for 10 weeks with a two week break between terms.

To qualify for graduation with the Doctor of Ministry degree the student must successfully fulfill all of the following requirements:

1. Fulfill all DMin course requirements (36 units for MDiv-based track; 66 units for MT-based track);
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
3. Successfully complete the DMin Ministry Thesis; and
4. Pay all tuition and

FOUNDATIONAL COURSES: 10 CREDITS REQUIRED 

 PROGRAM COURSES: 16 CREDITS REQUIRED 

FINAL PROJECT: 10 CREDITS REQUIRED 

Admission

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree program:

A Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent (MDiv-based), or a Master of a theological and/or ministry nature (MT-based) from an approved

1. 1. More coursework will be required for completion of the DMin for those who do not enter with an MDiv.
   2. An “approved institution” is one recognized by official accrediting bodies such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Distance Education Accrediting Council, the US Department of Education, the ACBHE (Accrediting Commission for Biblical Higher Education), ATS (American Association of Theological Schools), ICETE (International Council for Evangelical Theological Education).
2. A cumulative grade point average on the degree above of 3.0 on a 4.0
3. A ministerial leadership position. Applicants must have at least three years of service in parishes or other forms of ministry. All applicants must be actively serving parishes or engaging in other forms of ministry at the time of admission to the degree
4. The ability to write effectively and to produce a written doctoral Applicants must submit an original, academic essay of about 2000 words, reflecting on the outcomes of the DMin program.
5. A college-level proficiency in English: Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principle language of instruction must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following:
6. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT) or 80 on internet-based Test (iBT), or
   1. A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or
   2. A minimum score of 58 on the PTE Academic Score

 Orientation

Applicants, in the process of admission at UUC, will be required to take ADM-500 Online Learning Orientation course. Applicants must successfully complete and pass this course before they will be considered for full acceptance into UUC. This course provides UUC with the ability to assess the capability of the applicant’s computer skills, along with one’s skills in time management, internet learning, research, reading, and especially writing abilities. This assessment helps ensure that the applicant is a good match with the UUC online learning methodology and possesses the skills necessary to be successful in the degree program.

 The objectives of the ADM-500 are: 

1. To familiarize students with online procedures of study, research and communications with UUC
2. To familiarize students with the degree requirements of their program
3. To familiarize students with methods of teaching used by instructors
4. To clarify course participation methods and requirements
5. To provide guidance on how to use advisors most effectively
6. To familiarize students with procedures for using online libraries
7. To assess the student’s ability to succeed in UUC’s online degree programs
8. To assess the student’s need for individualized support or tutoring

An Admissions Representative will assist the applicant in making arrangements to take the Online Learning Orientation course. Applicants who have graduated from an online program at UUC are not required to take the ADM- 500.

Registration 

Upon the admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program, students will register for courses using the Student’s Page on the school website. There will be step by step directions for course registration, including important information regarding deadlines and requirements for signatures. Students can also consult the Student’s Page for information about their registration status. Students can make changes using the Add/Drop form on the Student’s Page. 

Tuition, Continuition Fees, and Other Payments 

Union University of California commits to provide quality education with affordable cost for leaders of the Church. Tuition for the DMin Program will be $225 per unit. After completion of the coursework, students have one year to submit his/her Final Project. If a student needs more than one year, a $500 continuation fee will be charged for the second year. All students must complete the Final Project within two years. A $300 fee for diploma and graduation is due before graduation.

Payment responsibility. Students shall pay for the courses on registration for them. Registration for subsequent course is dependent on debt payment. 

Assessments 

Student Assessment: The DMin program student assessment is implemented during the four basic phases of the program: 1) upon matriculating to the program, 2) coursework, 3) qualifying exams, and 4) final project. The design of the DMin program incorporates frequent points of assessment with the purpose of monitoring and assuring the progress of each student toward the program outcomes. The student assessments include admission requirements as a baseline, grading rubrics for each class, end-of-course evaluations, the Qualifying Examination, the Theology of Ministry Paper, and the Dissertation. In particular, the purpose of student assessment is as follows: 

1. To identify the levels of competency, in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities, at given points of the student’s learning in the DMin program;
2. To provide formative self-feedback and third-person feedback aiming at the self/professional development of the student; and
3. To quantify the student’s learning outcomes achievement vis-à-vis the program’s intended learning outcomes.

Program Assessment: The participation of DMin as students and as alumni in the End-of-course Surveys, the Graduate Survey, and the Alumni Survey, in addition to their employers’ participation in the Employer Survey and the faculty’s work on the UUC Scales Survey and End-of-course Faculty Report will provide multiple sources of quantifiable data to measure the institution’s achievement in fulfilling the core learning objectives of the program. These instruments will also provide a continual assessment of student satisfaction and inform administrators about institutional and curricular improvement. 

Advising 

Advisor Assignment: When a student accepts admission to the UUC’s Doctor of Ministry Program, he/she is assigned an advisor. This faculty person is responsible for acquainting the student with the program and for advising him/her on policies and procedures related to the DMin program. Students are required to have regular contact with their advisor at least once during each term. 

Advisor Change: If a student finds that the appointed faculty person, for one reason or another does not provide the help needed, he/she may request a change of advisor. To request a change of advisor, the student should first speak with the faculty member with whom he/she would like to serve as the new advisor and obtain his/ her agreement. The student should also inform the former advisor of the intended change. If the proposed advisor is not a member of the faculty of UUC, the student must provide the proposed advisor’s Curriculum Vitae, including a statement verifying the new advisor’s willingness to serve, and send them to the Doctor of Ministry Committee for approval. Students will receive written confirmation of the change from the Academic Assistant with copies sent to the DMin Director, former advisor, and new advisor. 

Examination Committee 

The DMin Examining Committee must include at least three members and two of whom earned their doctoral degrees from approved accredited institutions other than UUC. All committee members must be qualified in the subject area of the student’s dissertation or project. At least one member of the DMin Examining Committee must be a member of UUC’s faculty. All members of the DMin Examining Committee must be approved by the DMin Director before the research may be approved.

Transfer of credit may be awarded on the following basis. 

1. A maximum of 4 semester units beyond the master’s degree may be transferred for the MDiv-based track or 8 units for the MT-based All such coursework must have been earned in addition to the master’s degree required coursework.
2. The request to accept credit to be transferred must be approved by the Chief Academic
3. Credit that has not been used to complete a second master’s degree may be considered for tranfer.
4. Credits must have been earned within seven years prior to the request for Waivers of this requirement may be considered by program faculty on a case by case basis. All waivers must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer.
5. Coursework being considered for transfer must be equivalent to UUC coursework for which it is being applied. Students are required to submit transcripts, Catalog course descriptions and other
6. All coursework must be completed successfully for credit at B levels or
7. Transfer students must also complete the ADM-500 orientation course for on-line learning except for those who have previously completed an on-line

Students unable to continue academic work for personal, medical, or financial reasons may take a temporary leave from the program by submitting in writing, including specific reasons for the leave, to the DMin Program Director using the Leave of Absence Request for Doctoral Student’s Form. Students may send the request via email. They should consult the form to make sure to include all necessary information. The Academic Assistant will communicate the decision on approved or denied via email with copies sent to the student’s advisor and UUC Business, Financial Aid, and Registrar’s Offices.

 Students will be granted no more than two terms of leave during the entire program. A leave request will not be approved if the student has outstanding debt with the UUC Business Office.

There are two ways in which a student is withdrawn from the DMin program: (1) a student-initiated withdrawal and an administrative Withdrawal severs the relationship between the student and the UUC. It is intended to be an irreversible decision. If a student withdraws:

1. the student loses the formal relationship with the faculty advisor;
2. faculty committees are dissolved;
3. the faculty advisor and committee members are notified;
4. the student’s files are kept for five (5) years, after which they are

The DMin program has four basic phases: 1) matriculation, 2) coursework, 3) qualifying exams, and 4) final project. Each phase of the DMin program is designed to help students progress toward the program outcomes. From Academic Reflection for Admission until the completion of the Final Project, students and faculty are walking together toward equipping students to be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a fluency in critical thinking, as observed by independent thinking and the ability to be flexible with diverse
2. Apply the biblical guiding principles that form the values and outcomes of any
3. Diagnose the needs of a community and implement a biblically based response to meet those
4. Integrate research, verbal and written communication, and leadership skills to provide a solution to a pressing missional

1.  Matriculation Phase

DMin Initial Self-Assessment. Upon matriculating into the DMin program, students will score themselves using the Self-Scoring Development Chart, a chart that details skills, knowledge, and abilities that are viewed as desirable and intended outcomes of the program. Self-scoring helps students become more aware of their progress in learning (metacognition) and identifies areas that invite attention and effort as students move through the program. Students will score themselves again at the end of their first year in the program, as part of their first-year evaluation, and at the end of their coursework phase before they will proceed to the Final Project phase as a second and third reflection on their journey through the coursework phase of the program.

 The DMin Application Essay. The DMin Application Essay is designed to be a baseline or starting point toward the goal of truly professional level thinking and writing as projected in the four program outcomes. The instructions for this composition are the following: 

• Be organized in four sections, each one relating to one of the program outcomes, describing what you know how and why want to learn
• Have a total word count of 3,000-5,000
• Cite in each part, two books or articles or two authors or Christian ministers who have helped increase your knowledge to date in this section.
• Be original to you – in wording (except for citations), in thought
• Be evaluated by the rubric below the sections.

2.  Coursework Phase

Individual Course Assessment. Assessment includes course grades and written feedback a student may receive from a course instructor, regarding the various assignments the student is asked to complete the course. Individual course assessment is confidential, but course instructors of the student’s first year in the program will provide inputs to the student’s first-year evaluation. 

First-year evaluation. Each student will be carefully evaluated during and at the end of this qualifying period (usually the first year of the program), although this may be extended to when three courses have been completed if necessary, to determine if continuation in the program is recommended. A student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 through the end of the qualifying period to remain in good standing. The DMin program manager will coordinate the evaluation, which involves the student’s faculty advisor and the course instructors of the student’s first year. 

3.  Qualifying Exam Phase 

Upon completion of all coursework, students who achieve at least a 3.00 GPA will be allowed to apply to take their qualifying examination preparation by writing to the DMin program manager one month in advance. After a thorough review of their academic performance, students who are approved will be permitted to take the examinations before engaging with formal work on the Final Project. 

The qualifying examinations are designed to evaluate the student’s attainment of program learning outcomes. Therefore, it consists of four sections of questions corresponding to the program outcomes. The exam also serves as a diagnostic tool to identify weaknesses in a student’s preparation for successful completion of the DMin program. The examinations include both written and oral components. Exams can also be taken off-campus by a satisfactory proctor. Examination protocol and grading rubric will be provided to the student and all involved faculty members shortly after the student is approved to take the exams. 

Students must achieve a composite score (the sum of the four sections) of 80% to continue in the program. For students who do not achieve this score, the faculty will recommend a personal study plan for improvement in the weak area and determine strategies for overcoming the lower scores. Students who do not pass one of their written qualifying examinations may be allowed to retake that exam. Students who do not pass their written or oral qualifying examinations will not be permitted to advance to the Final Project phase. 

Theology of Ministry Paper. 

Upon completion of all coursework, the student must complete a comprehensive 30-page Theology of Ministry Paper. The student will collaborate with his/her advisor to determine the bibliography and direction of the paper. The Theology of Ministry Paper provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their ministry vocation, practices, and development intellectually and theologically. The Theology of Ministry paper should demonstrate a satisfactory level of critical thinking, biblical/theological fluency, and ministerial leadership – expressed in competency in the need analysis and effectively communicated. A rubric will be given on how the student’s faculty advisor will evaluate the Theology of Ministry paper. The paper will be graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. 

The Theology of Ministry Paper is a major integrative research paper of up to 12,000 words in length. Theology of Ministry refers to the theological beliefs and practices that inform the student’s ministerial vocation and practice. The purpose of the paper is to indicate the ability of the student to conduct substantive research and to integrate their research into the theory and practice of ministry at a doctoral level. It should demonstrate that students have a critical understanding of the theoretical base which informs their current practice of ministry, and which is foundational to their research interest. 

When the student determines that the paper is ready for examination, s/he will contact the DMin Director who will convene a committee of academics for an Oral Review (examination) of the paper. The comprehensive paper will be examined via teleconferencing in situations where the student or committee members are unable to come to campus in person. Successful completion of the comprehensive paper will determine the student’s ability to go to the final stages of the program, which includes the Final Project Proposal and the Final Project. 

UUC acknowledges the developmental and incremental nature of learning acquired in these requirements and expects connection, continuation and expansion of knowledge between the Theology of Ministry Paper and the FinalProject. The grading rubric for the Theology of Ministry Paper also reflects the outcomes of the DMin program. 

4.  Final Project Phase 

Once the student has successfully completed the program’s coursework requirements and Theology of Ministry Paper, he/she can precede to phase of the Final Project the Doctor of Ministry Program. The final project is self-directed research, under the direction of a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor is usually the same individual who advises the student during the coursework and/or qualifying examination phases of the program, although students should not assume that to be the case and it is always appropriate for students to formally confirm with the faculty member at some point before the dissertation phase that he or she is agreeable about the students’ topic and will advise their final project work. 

The Final Project is a professional project aiming at the strengthening and deepening of selected ministry practices and will be evaluated using the Final Project Evaluation Rubric. The Final Project shall be defended, in the presence of the DMin Examining Committee. (The means of this defense may be a multi-point meeting arranged through video conferencing.) 

The DMin Program at UUC is rigorously attentive and responsive to global awareness, engagement, and application in local settings around the world. The educational design and delivery system include intentional strategies to form an online community of learners that represent varying world contexts. In addition, the DMin program provides for varied kinds of learning, including: 

• peer learning and evaluation as well as self-directed learning experiences;
• significant integrative and interdisciplinary activities involving the various theological disciplines and careful use of the student’s experience and ministerial context as a learning environment;
• various opportunities for learning and using the disciplines and skills necessary for the DMin project, including sustained opportunities for study and research; and
• opportunities for personal and spiritual

The student may choose from two types of research: track one is Classical Research and track two is Participatory Action Research. Both tracks are developed for the same purposes: 

• To develop skills necessary for identifying and expressing a problem and for taking the necessary steps to address it;
• To raise the student’s level of motivation and initiative, thus enhancing the student’s capacity to carry out significant inquiry;
• To cultivate clear, coherent, objective modes of thought and research which competent ministry demands;
• To cultivate a high level of mastery in one focused area of ministry;
• To provide the Church, it’s ministers and the larger Community with important, relevant and useful information, reflection, and skills.

1. Proposal Submission
   

Upon admission to the Final Project phase, the student will work with his or her advisor to prepare the Final Project proposal using the DMin Project Proposal and Final Project Guidelines provided in THS-901 Final Project Proposal.

 After the Proposal Draft has been reviewed by the DMin Examining Committee and feedback has been given to the student, the student’s advisor will submit the formal proposal to the DMin Office. If the proposal submission is considered complete and is formatted correctly, the student will receive a receipt confirmation email within of the arrival of the proposal to the DMin Office. 

The student will receive notification of the DMin Committee’s decision regarding the formal proposal within 3-4 weeks after the receipt confirmation email. Notification will consist of one of three decisions by the DMin Examining Committee. Based on the decision received, the student will follow the specific course of action. 

1. If approved, the student will incorporate any comments from the DMin Committee and submit the Proposal (Final Version) to the DMin Office.
2. Resubmit the Proposal to the Director of the DMin Although a good proposal, some refinement needs to be made. The student will work with his/her advisor to revise the proposal according to the DMin Committee’s comments. Once the changes have been made to a student’s proposal that were requested by the DMin Committee, the student will resubmit a final version of the proposal to the DMin Office.
3. The student may submit a new formal proposal for consideration.

Once the proposal is approved by the DMin Examining Committee, the student is accepted for degree candidacy. The student has one year to complete the Final Project. By paying a continuation fee, students may be granted a second year to complete the project. A final third year may be petitioned for and will need to pay the continuation fee. 

1. Approval of Examining Committee
   

In keeping with standards of the Association of Theological Schools, the process of developing the Final Project includes duly-qualified PhDs and examiners external to UUC personnel. On successful completion of the review and examination process, the Final Project will be housed in Electronic Library of UUC. 

The DMin Examining Committee shall include at least three members of whom two earned their doctoral degrees from approved accredited institutions other than UUC. All committee members must be qualified in the subject area of the student’s project. At least one member of the DMin Examining Committee must be a member of UUC’s faculty and will chair the committee. All members of the DMin Examining Committee must be approved by the CAO. 

The DMin Examining Committee also serves as the Ethics Committee ensuring that any human subjects involved in the research have participated voluntarily, have received appropriate informed consent and are not placed at undue risk. 

UUC highly recommends that students start planning their Final Project from the beginning of their doctoral program throughout the coursework and after the completion of coursework arrives at The Final Project Path. With his/her advisor, the student shall follow these procedures. 

1. First Draft

 When the DMin Examining Committee approves the student’s research questions, s/he is ready to expand the project. During this period, it is the responsibility of the student to work closely with his/her advisor for frequent review and consultations.

 When the student’s advisor approves this draft, the student shall email it to the Director of the DMin Program. After the receipt of the First Draft submission, the Director gets forwards it to two content readers, external to the institution. These readers make editorial and substantive notes in the margins, to improve the document. At this stage the First Draft needs not be letter-perfect. However, the draft should be reasonably neat, with proper form, spelling, and punctuation following the Turabian Style format. Also the student must be sure that financial accounts are clear, or the manuscript will not be sent to the content readers.

 The First Draft must include the following, in this order: 

1. Title Page
2. Blank Page
3. Abstract
4. Table of Contents
5. List of Figures (if applicable)
6. List of Abbreviations (if applicable)
7. Methodology
8. Main Text
9. Appendices (if applicable)
10. Bibliography
11. Vita

The DMin Examining Committee will select the two content readers on the basis of their competence to judge each particular thesis. The content readers will prepare critiques of the student’s manuscript. Their evaluation is made independently, i.e. without consulting with the student’s advisor or with each other. The critiques of the content readers will be guided by the UUC rubric for the evaluation of the Final Project, and will include comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the document, its significance as a contribution to ministry, the adequacy of its logic, insight, scholarship, style and format, and its theological coherence. Each reader’s evaluation will consist of a one-to-two- page written review of the student’s work and may include specific recommendations for improvements. The student will then incorporate these comments into the project and produce a revised First Draft or a preliminary Final Draft. 

Acting on the basis of the readers’ and advisor’s critiques, the DMin Examining Committee will determine the status of the research. The status codes are the following: 

1. Approved with distinction, no revisions necessary
2. Approved with minor revisions necessary
3. Approved with major revisions necessary (the DMin Committee will check the revisions, but no second reading is required and no additional fee)
4. Not approved with major revisions necessary (second reading is required, additional fee is applied)
5. Not approved with terminal

The decision of the Committee is made by the majority of the members. The DMin Program Director will communicate the Committee’s decision and will send the three critiques to the student and his/her advisor. With status #3 or #4, the student will revise the draft under the continued supervision of the advisor. After revision, the draft will be sent back to the DMin Examining Committee by the Program Director. 

1. Final Draft
   

Once the readers’ and advisor’s critiques, along with the DMin Examining Committee’s decision have been received, the student will make the any necessary revisions in preparation of the Final Draft. The student is advised to use Microsoft Word’s Comment Function for any revisions. The student then sends the revised draft to the DMin Office. 

The DMin Program Director will communicate the acceptance or need for improvements of the Final Draft to the student’s advisor. The student will complete the revision process and submit the Final Version. 

The Signature Page of the Final Version will be signed by the student’s advisor and the members of the DMin Examining Committee. The Final Version must be letter-perfect, following the requirements of the latest Turabian Manual and UUC’s requirements for publication. 

Unless there are any outstanding assignments to be completed, the Final Version becomes the Final Project and represents the completion of the DMin program. The Final Project will be housed in Electronic Library of UUC.

The following is a listing of courses and abridged descriptions of all Union University of California Doctor of Ministry courses available at the time of publication. Please note that the academic programs are under continuous review and evaluation. To ensure students a progressive and challenging curriculum, Union University of California reserves the right to make changes at any time, with or without notice and in its sole and absolute discretion, to course structure and lecture delivery format, and to revise or delete courses as deemed necessary. 

CED-701 Theological Education in the Twenty First Century (4 credits)

This course introduces major models of theological education including Kelsey’s “Athens” and “Berlin” approaches, Farley’s Theologia, and Banks’ missional model. Special emphasis is given to ministry formation, critical reflection, and other forms of ministry training around the world. Based on these foundational issues, lessons on theological training in the twenty-first century will be drawn for a non-Western context.

CED-702 Educational Ministries in Context (4 credits)

This course weaves together three strands of multi-faceted learning: 1) identity formation, 2) cultures as framed by worldviews and 3) the practice of cultural intelligence as a universally applicable tool for accurate exegesis of community contexts. Learning from this course equips students to interface with proficiency in multiple levels of society as church leaders with keen and useful understanding of diversity.

COL-701 Doctor of Ministry Colloquium (2 credits)

This is the introductory seminar to the Doctor of Ministry program. In this seminar students will be explained the components of the DMin program at UUC and will be assigned to support groups. Students will also be directed to begin to think about and do the first work for their final project. Students will be advised on research methods courses that they will take that are relevant to their final project research. 

LDR-701 Spiritual Leader in A Secular World (4 credits)

This course will discuss about how Christian leaders can bring the healing, compassion, justice and hope of Jesus Christ into the ministries in which they serve Him. This course will empower students to shape the choices and behaviours required to put on the character of Christ in the realms of values, ethics, humanity, courage, and transcendence.

LDR-702 Christian Leadership and Church Administration (4 credits)

The purpose of this course is to introduce the doctoral students to the life and character of those called by God. The intended outcome of the course is a thoroughly biblical understanding of the concept of Christian Leadership as related to Church Administration.

LDR-703 Leading and Managing Change (4 credits)

In this course students will apply their leadership and management competencies to real-world situations. Students identify and demonstrate the inquiry, analysis, communication, decision-making, and leadership skills needed to address and solve problems; plan, implement, and evaluate change; improve processes; and demonstrate cultural competence.

LDR-704 Leader as Transformative Agent (4 credits)

This course focuses on the person of the leader and explores the paradoxical concept of servant-leadership, modelled by Jesus, within the broader context of the abundance of leadership theories. It is based on the practices of leadership from a transformational perspective. This is an intensely practical leadership course, and the skills taught empowers people to serve in an area of genuine need, especially to the least privileged in society.

RES-701 Qualitative Research Method (4 credits)

The purpose of this course is to introduce graduate students to the procedures for qualitative data collection and analysis. It is intended as a follow-up to research design, with additional specific emphasis on gathering, compiling and analyzing data in words (qualitative research) to address a business curiosity of focus.

RES-702 Quantitative Research Method (4 credits)

This course will introduce to students the procedures in quantitative research in preparation for conducting independent research. The course will enable students to critically understand quantitative research methodology and apply it appropriately to various issues.

RES-703 Exploring Participatory Action Research (4 credits)

This course introduces and explores applications, values and methodologies of Participatory Action Research as both a scholarly and emancipatory philosophy and practice. Participants will examine major stages of research design, data collection, analysis, and writing/presentation. Through reading, reflection, discussion and critique, participants will compare approaches to be able to critique a range of applied educational research. The course will emphasize participatory and action-oriented approaches in the context of Christian ministry.

RES-704 Conducting Participatory Action Research (4 credits)

This course is a continuation of the RES-703.

THL-701 Revisiting the Mission and Ministries of the Church (4 credits)

This course is designed to help students develop a global vision of the Church’s mission and ministries, with special emphasis on shaping future leaders to meet this task. The course provides students an opportunity to assimilate and combine the knowledge to which they have been exposed in the foundational disciplines of Christian thought into a coherent and harmonized body of belief and practice. Students are expected to discover and share personal ministry reflections from a context of a local community.

THL-702 Contextual Missional Ecclesiologies in the 21st Century (4 credits)

This course will reflect on the implications of the unique challenges the global Church is facing such as the serious diminishing of the Christian Faith in the West, the massive demographic shift of Christianity from the North to the South and the East, the rise of immigration of Southern Christians to the North, the apparent distinction between conservative, charismatic, and apocalyptic Southern Christianity and Northern liberal Christianity, etc., for local congregations and their leaders, and consider challenges of becoming missional churches which respond meaningfully to both their multi-cultural contexts and to the globalization of missions.

THS-901 Doctor of Ministry Final Project Proposal Development (2 credits)

This course is designed to prepare students for the creation of the DMin Final Project Proposal. It will establish criteria for identifying a suitable topic and examine the primary components of the final project, providing project examples and specific research tools for each of these major divisions. The course will also examine the required components of the proposal, from thesis statement to bibliography, identifying both the characteristics of a strong proposal and the common problems in developing a proposal.

THS-941 Doctor of Ministry Final Project (8 credits)

The Final Project is a professional project aiming at the strengthening and deepening of selected ministry practices, and will be evaluated using the Final Project Evaluation Rubric. The Final Project shall be defended, in the presence of the DMin Examining Committee. (The means of this defense may be a multi-point meeting arranged through video conferencing.)