Most Frequently Asked Questions About
United’s D.Min. Program
How
do I apply for United’s D.Min. program?
To apply to the Doctor of Ministry Program at United , you may request
application and recommendation forms from the D.Min. office at dmin@unitedseminary.edu
or 651.255.6127 or click
here to download the
forms.
How
long do I need to be in professional ministry in order
to qualify for the D.Min. program?
The seminary’s accrediting agency (ATS) requires that all D.Min. students
have “at least three years of experience in ministry subsequent to the
first graduate theological degree.”
Can
I apply for the D.Min. program even if I don’t
have an M.Div. degree?
Students must have a M.Div. degree or its educational equivalent prior to entering
the a D.Min. program. People with other theological degrees (e.g. , Masters
of Theology, Masters of Religious Leadership, Masters of Religious Studies,
or
Masters of Arts and Theology) need to take some additional courses in order
to achieve the M.Div. equivalency. In order to ascertain the number and types
of courses needed, such persons should provide transcripts to the director
of the D.Min. program, who will review the transcripts and communicate what
additional credits and courses must be taken to move beyond Module 1 of the
D.Min. program. Any required prerequisite courses may be taken at United or
another ATS-accredited seminary.
Who
will be my D.Min. colleagues at United ?
Among the D.Min. students at United are pastors of local congregations, chaplains,
teachers, spiritual directors, and church consultants, and some who minister
in non-profit organizations. They range in age from their thirties to
their sixties.
And while the majority live and minister in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin,
we also have students from several other states. They represent 10 different
denominations.
When
should I apply?
Applications to the D.Min. program are accepted throughout
the year and processed as application files are completed. The deadline for
registrations
is September 1, although we suggest applicants submit their materials well
in advance of that deadline in order to insure an opening and to be able to
take more time in preparing for Seminar 1 (DM150).
How
many years does it take to complete a D.Min. Program
at United?
The United D.Min. is designed as a four-year degree program. However, those
who wish to complete it on a faster track are usually able to finish in three
years.
Others who require more time can extend the program beyond four years.
What
does it cost to complete a D.Min. program?
Click here for this information
What
financial aid is available for the D.Min. program?
Click here for this information
Do
you have to be on campus to take the D.Min. seminars?
Yes. Seminar 1 (DM150) is held in two parts. For students entering in the fall
of 2006, Part 1 is October 16-19, 2006, and Part 2 is January 23-25, 2007.
Seminar 2 (DM250) will be held April 16-20, 2007. The other two D.Min. seminars
are each held for one week on campus. All seminars begin at 1 PM on the
first day and conclude at noon on the last day.
What
happens if I complete Module 1 successfully but decide
I don’t want to continue in the D.Min. program?
You will receive graduate credit for Module 1 and a Certificate of Ministry
Renewal and Professional Development.
What
happens if I take Modules 1 and 2 but decide I don’t
want to write a thesis project?
You will receive graduate credit for your seminars and electives as well as
a certificate of completion at the conclusion of Module 2.
How
is United’s D.Min. program structured?
See Graphic
Overview
Do
I have to take courses on campus to complete my electives?
No, you may register for independent studies, guided reading courses, or independent
research after having made arrangements with a United professor and the
director of the D.Min. program.
Can
I do some of my electives at a seminary other than United?
Students normally take a minimum of two electives through
United. In addition, students may take up to three electives
at one of the other seminaries in the Minnesota Consortium
of Theological Schools, or they may take two electives in
the Consortium and one at
another ATS-accredited seminary in the United States or Canada. If a student
requires other arrangements, they may petition for them through the D.Min.
office and the seminary’s program committee.
What
kind of computer resources do I need to participate
in the D.Min. program?
We recommend that D.Min. students have basic computer skills, use e-mail,
and know how to open e-mail attachments. Student inquiries are usually
responded
to quickly by e-mail, and students send their seminar papers to their student
colleagues as e-mail attachments. In addition, the D.Min. Policy Handbook,
library access, and necessary
forms are
available on the United Web site, as are many other resources. Sometimes
special arrangements
have to be made for students with Mac computers or Word Works software.
Computer
passwords are provided to all D.Min. students. Online library
access and research techniques are taught and practiced
during both parts of Seminar 1 and during Seminar 2.
Can
I use the resources of the Spencer Library at United
online from my home?
Yes! Remote access to Spencer Library and its databases
is extremely helpful to D.Min students’ working papers,
thesis proposals, and thesis manuscripts. During Seminar
1 and 2, time is set aside for students to practice such
online library access and searches. Each student is provided
with a user name and password.
How
ecumenical is United’s D.Min.
program?
Current students in United’s D.Min. program represent 10 different
denominations: United Church of Christ, United Methodist, Presbyterian (U.S.A.),
Episcopal, Roman
Catholic, Universalist Unitarian, Disciples of Christ, Mennonite, American
Baptist, and ELCA Lutheran. Other academic programs at United include an
even broader spectrum of denominational backgrounds. In addition, the United
faculty has a wide denominational distribution.
Who
teaches the D.Min. seminars?
Jean Morris Trumbauer directs the D.Min. program. She
is the main facilitator-instructor for D.Min. seminars
and is assisted in some of the seminars by members of
the
United faculty. Jean has a Master of Arts in Religious Studies (’83)
and a Doctor of Ministry degree (’95) from United. (see
bio for Jean Trumbauer)
Who
works with students on their thesis projects?
After you have been nominated to candidacy and are ready to begin your thesis,
a thesis advisor will be appointed, as well as a first and second reader. The
thesis advisor will be your primary guide to write the thesis. The readers
approve the thesis proposal, read and evaluate the final manuscript, and conduct
the oral examination. They are usually drawn from the United regular faculty.
The director of the D.Min. program facilitates Seminar 4 and the Thesis Preparation
Seminar and is often involved in the earliest conversations about the theses. |
