We bring in practioners from all over.
You have the opportunity to hear from those voices currently
engaging in ministry; speaking, teaching, and writing about
the issues, challenges and nature of ministry.
The program is designed in such a way
to make it accessible to those who live outside the greater
Portland area. Our courses are offered in an intensive format,
where there is a period of pre-course preparation that the student
completes independently, an intensive 4 day seminar on Western's
Portland campus, and then a post-course period during which
the student completes assignments, again working independently.
Students only need to travel to Portland for the intensive seminar.
Depending on how quickly students plan to complete their course
phase, this would mean 2-4 trips to Portland each year.
We have a number of recommendations
we can provide for local hotels. We also have a relationship
with the World View Center, which has overnight accommodations
for a more affordable option than a hotel. The Center is just
a few minutes from campus.
Students can complete the entire program
in 3-6 years. The pace that students move through the program
depends largely on how quickly they complete the course phase.
Taking 2 courses per year will enable a student to complete
the 8 courses in a 4 year period. They then have 2 years for
the dissertation research and writing process. This is a very
typical scenario for students who are in full-time ministry,
as their doctoral work must be balanced with other aspects of
ministry and family life. Some students choose to take more
courses each year, and condense the program into a shorter time
frame.
Currently tuition for the doctoral
programs is $430 per credit. The program is a 30 credit doctoral
program. Tuition rates do change from year to year, but students
can anticipate the total cost of the program (tuition and books)
being approximately $15,000.
Alumni of Western, students from CB
churches, or students from supporting churches of Western are
eligible for a 25% Tuition Scholarship.
Students who have completed an MA in
Theology, or a similar degree, are still encouraged to inquire.
Depending on your educational background, we will work with
you to evaluate your transcripts. Admission to the D.Min. program
may require some additional coursework so that the student can
attain "M.Div. equivalency". Please contact us for
further information.
Involvement in vocational ministry
is required for both admission and continuance in the program.
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate significant achievement
in ministry. Once a student has graduated with their M.Div.
(or equivalent degree), they should plan to be in full-time
ministry for about 3 years before applying to the D.Min. program.
An individual who has less than 3 years of full-time ministry
experience post M.Div. is still encouraged to inquire.
The D.Min. dissertation is a doctoral
piece of scholarly work based on sound research, but with a
strong practical emphasis. It is practical in that it is immediately
related to the ministry of the writer. It is theological reflection
applied to pastoral situation. It is normally something the
author does with the people to whom he/she ministers, and it
represents the capstone of the doctoral program.
The dissertation reader is an individual
contracted by the seminary to assist the student in refining
their ideas and content of the dissertation. Many students approach
the dissertation phase with an idea in mind of who they would
like to use as their reader. Others seek guidance from the D.Min.
Director. Through a collaborative process, we work with students
to find an individual who has the experience necessary to assist
them through this process.
|
