Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry is an AQF level 10 research doctoral award whose graduates make a significant and original contribution to knowledge as applied in the context of professional Christian ministry practice. The degree is designed to enable men and women to produce significant and original research outcomes and as…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Doctor of Ministry is an AQF level 10 research doctoral award whose graduates make a significant and original contribution to knowledge as applied in the context of professional Christian ministry practice.
The degree is designed to enable men and women to produce significant and original research outcomes and as beginning researchers demonstrate the capacity to design, implement, gather and interpret data, and communicate the results of the research for theses undertaken in specific fields of knowledge applied to various areas of professional ministry.
The degree would be for theological and non-theological graduates already in significant leadership positions in churches, denominational offices, para-church agencies and non-church agencies and institutions where people wanted to enhance their research by also applying insights from Christian traditions.
Graduates with a Doctor of Ministry have already been employed in significant denominational positions for strategic planning as well as teaching pastoral and missions courses at theological colleges, bible colleges and seminaries in Australian and overseas and would continue to do so.
Course Structure
288 credit points over 3 years (F/T)
Learning Outcomes
The Course Learning Outcomes of the Doctor of Ministry aligns with AQF level 10 professional doctoral award whose graduates make a significant and original contribution to knowledge as applied in the context of professional Christian ministry practice and with the ACT’s seven learning outcome domain descriptors (ACT CLO).
- Discipline knowledge and understanding
- Inquiry and analysis
- Problem solving and integration
- Communication
- Teamwork and professional practice
- Engagement with the world
- Continuous learning and professional development
Knowledge and Understanding Aspects
Systematic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge of theological, biblical-hermeneutical and, sociological methods as related to specialised aspects of Christian ministry (ACT CLO 1).
Skills
- Independently and systematically engage in critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation of the body of knowledge related to specialised aspects of Christian ministry (ACT CLO 2).
- Develop, adapt, integrate and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing professional practice (ACT CLO 3, 5).
- Disseminate and promote new insights to peers and the community (ACT CLO 4, 6).
- Generate original knowledge and understanding to contribute to the professional practice of specialised aspects of Christian ministry (ACT CLO 5).
Applied knowledge and skills
Demonstrate their autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and ethical responsibility as an expert and leading practitioner in specialised aspects of Christian ministry (ACT CLO 1, 2, 3).
Demonstrate their capacity to collaboratively plan, execute, and evaluate research (ACT CLO 5).
Demonstrate their skills as communicators by disseminating their findings to their peers and the wider community (ACT CLO 4, 5).
Personal Developmental Aspects
Doctor of Ministry graduates should demonstrate the capacity of lifelong learners committed to their on-going development with particular emphasis on their own personhood as Christians within a professional ministry context (ACT CLO 7).
REQUIREMENTS
Academic Qualifications:
- MTh, OR
- BTh/BMin Hons, with at least Upper Second Class Honours and at least a Credit in the thesis, OR
- BTh or BMin plus a Graduate Diploma with an overall GPA?2.0 and ?Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
- BTh or BMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS), with an overall GPA>=2.0 and >=Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
- MDiv or MMin with an overall GPA>=3.0 and >=Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
- MDiv or MMin plus a Coursework Masters (such as MA(Th/Min) or MTS) with an overall GPA>=2.0 and >Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words in FoR, OR
- MTS, MA(ChrStuds) or MML with an overall GPA>=3.0 and >=Credit in a major project of at least 12,000 words, OR
- Theological and non-theological qualifications deemed by the Research and Research Studies Committee to provide a suitable grounding for Doctor of Ministry study.
FoR = Field of Research
Language Qualifications for NESB: IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.5 in reading and writing, with 7.0 in listening, and 6.5 in speaking.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
The Australian College of Theology (ACT) is Australia’s largest theological education provider with 16 colleges, 34 courses and over 700 units. The ACT offers specialist qualifications in ministry, theology, and Christian studies, ranging from undergraduate diplomas through to doctoral degrees. The Australian College of Theology exists as a partnership between the Anglican Church of Australia and a national network of Bible and theological colleges.
