DESCRIPTION

Union University of California has designed a unique online Doctor of Ministry program that is open to ministerial leaders anywhere in the world who meet qualifications for admission, have access to the Internet, and are proficient in online work. The program consists of 32 credit hours of multi-disciplinary study, including six 4-unit courses and an 8-unit final project.  

All candidates will begin with MIN-701 Revisiting the Mission and Ministries of the Church. MIN-701 is the first step to the Doctor of Ministry program at UUC. After the completion of the MIN-701 and in consultation with his or her advisor, the student chooses five courses (including specially designed directed studies) in the areas of interest. It is expected that the D.Min. final project will reflect these research interests, and their impact on ministerial leadership.  

Each applicant to the program will submit a brief essay outlining the focus he or she would like to pursue in the doctoral program. On the basis of this essay and full qualification for the program, the accepted applicant will be matched with an academic advisor. 

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the UUC’s D.Min. program is to improve the leaders’ ability and skills in their ministries. The program is constructed to help graduates develop their professional competencies, including critical reflection on ministry, interpersonal skills, the capacity for theological interpretation, and special skills for service in particular contexts. More specifically, the program aims at developing  

·         an ability to think independently and to work effectively in ministry;

·         a critical theological interpretation of ministry;

·         a theological insight and the ability to apply it in ministry.

·         an ability to grasp current intellectual trends in other disciplines;

·         an understanding of social issues and the mission of the church;

·         an ability to work on a major project through research, writing, and implementation of a final project.

PROGRAM DESIGN

Phase 1: Online Courses
24 units  

Students begin with MIN-701 Revisiting the Mission and Ministries of the Church. MIN-701 is the first step to the Doctor of Ministry Program at UUC and serves as a general orientation to the program and an introduction to the theological method and practices of the program. After completing MIN-701 and in consultation with the director of D.Min. committee, each student engages in an independent study on Theology of Ministry (THL-701). Students have one year to complete this course. While doing the THL-701 and in consultation with his or her advisor, students will begin to take four more courses under any subject heading below:

·         Leadership

·         Spiritual Formation/ Discipleship

·         Culture & Theology

·         Ethics

·         Evangelism, Church Growth & Church Planting

·         Multicultural & Urban Ministries

·         Preaching & Worship

·         Missional Theology/ Missional Church 

Phase 1 involves 18 months of coursework (24 units). Students have maximum three years to complete Phase 1. 

Phase 2: Field Examinations

There will be two field exams which cover the area of expertise, including its theoretical elements and its application to ministry. The format for each exam can be a paper, a take-home exam, a traditional examination, or other options as mutually agreed upon by student and advisor. 

Questions for field exams will fall under one of two following options:

1.     Students will choose two of three questions which will be given by the D.Min. committee.

2.     Students will propose the questions for his/her exams.

Phase 3: Final Project
8 credits  

Each student designs his or her final project according to his or her writing purpose and the nature of his or her specific ministry. UUC final project options are: 

·         A ministry focus paper

·         An academic research project

·         A field study of a social issue

·         A training manual/ Study guide

·         An analysis of the therapeutic or educational processes of the church.  

The final project begins with the development of a three-page final project proposal including a summary of the problem; a summary of the purpose of the inquiry and the methodology to be employed; an outline of the project; an initial bibliography; and a proposed advisor. The proposed advisor can be the one assigned by UUC. If the student wants to have a different advisor, he or she needs to write to the D.Min. committee to propose for a new advisor. If the proposed advisor is not a member of the faculty of UUC, the student must provide the proposed advisor’s curriculum vitae to the D.Min. committee for approval. When both the final project proposal and the advisor have been approved, the student is accepted for degree candidacy. Successful completion and acceptance of the final project by the D.Min. committee is required for the degree. For more specific information regarding the criteria and process for approval, please request a copy of the Guide to the D.Min. Final Project.  

Students have one year to complete final project without being applied continuation fee. If final project is not done in one year, students are allowed to have one more year to complete it with a $500 continuation fee.