Professional Doctorate in Ministry - DMin

St Mary's University, Twickenham

The Professional Doctorate in Ministry (DMin) is a unique opportunity to combine theological reflection and ministerial practice leading to a doctoral level qualification. Bespoke tutoring from St Mary’s world-leading theological faculty An opportunity to combine study and practice at a higher educational levelWe live in rapidly changing times. Accordingly, the Theology Faculty at St Mary’s has decided to initiate a new Doctorate in Ministry in order to help ministers to respond to the challenges of modern ministry whilst also contributing to the growing academic resources available. In this respect the course has two main elements: first, the opportunity for theological, philosophical and ethical reflection on the nature of ministry and, secondly, the provision of a skill-set for practitioners to contribute to academic knowledge of ministry by developing their own original doctoral-level research thesis.Thus, the programme may appeal to a range of ministerial needs such as:A refresher course, sabbatical or part of continuing ministerial developmentAn opportunity to engage with the latest theological perspectives on ministryPersonal growth and developmentAn opportunity to take stock of current ministryAn ability to acquire deeper ministerial skillsA chance to meet other ministers facing similar challengesAn opportunity to make a significant contribution to academic reflection on ministryCareer opportunitiesIt is anticipated that many students will study part-time as continuing professional development, alongside various forms of Christian ministry and leadership, or for personal interest; for such people, the programme will enhance their future employability, including in more senior roles.Some will acquire an enhanced education in ministry which would open specific opportunities in teaching and HE lecturing and work with Christian or other charities and agencies. The programme will also provide an education which sensitises students to engaging with religious and ethical ideas from other times, cultures and places, and thus will equip them for work engaging with cross-cultural situations, such as non-governmental organisations in the UK and overseas, international relations, the media and the Civil Service. The course is primarily, though not exclusively, intended for Christians of any tradition. Potential students include clergy, ordinands, people in lay ministries, teachers of religious studies and those with an interest in spiritual matters. The study of ministry at the University will take place within the context of a believing Christian community. Since it is anticipated that the majority of students taking the course will be more mature and already be engaged in ministry, they will have the necessary experience of life and the world to draw upon in making these connections. To engage in reflection on ministry in relation to today’s world will necessarily involve students being critically self-reflective about their world-view, mind-set, and approach to life and society, and features of modules, both core and optional, will encourage such critical self-reflection. The increasing occurrence of reflection on ministry in areas such as healthcare, psychology and education will help students to find a means to employment in these other diverse work-places. Some of the teaching will take place with students engaging in other St Mary’s professional doctorates and postgraduate courses, which will again encourage exchange of ideas and viewpoints.This programme is available in at distance learning.