The complex challenges of ministry today call for spiritual leaders who can integrate the wisdom of their traditions with a greater understanding of social justice challenges in the context of their communities. The Doctor of Ministry degree at SFTS emphasizes a core of personal qualities and skills for ministry and a highly contextualized approach to analysis and problem solving, in a personalized program of study. We seek to engage the intersectionality of race, gender, class and culture with theological reflection for faithful and transformative leadership.
Our Doctor of Ministry program is ecumenical, multi-faith, culturally competent, spiritually grounded, and pedagogically innovative. We bring together scholar practitioners from a wide variety of active ministries to learn, explore, and envision creative approaches to community growth and spiritual connection. Designed with an interdisciplinary and contextual research focus, the D.Min. degree provides students a framework to integrate critical theological analysis and biblical reflection with contextually-applied social analysis to examine current issues in ministry.
Throughout its 50-year history, the program’s hallmark has been the interfaith and interreligious character of the student body and faculty, as well as its engagement with forward-looking scholarship embracing spirituality and social justice. The Seminary’s collaborative learning environment is an incubator for the research and development of innovative and creative approaches, new tools, and novel resources for ministry in a rapidly changing world.
D.Min. students at SFTS design and implement a field research project as the central component of their Dissertation/Project. In preparation for their dissertation/project, students take a combination of required foundational and elective seminars, tailoring their coursework to their research interests.
Two foundational courses
AND
Dissertation/Project (D/P)
The Dissertation/Project is the culminating requirement of the D Min degree. The D/P is an original project that effectively analyzes a practical problem of ministry, formulates solutions, and evaluates the effectiveness of those solutions. As the name suggests, the D/P combines a research dissertation and a practical project relevant to the student’s particular ministry. During this period, students are enrolled in DMin Supervision.
SUMMER SESSION 2023
Summer Term begins April 17, 2023 with pre-intensive course preparation. See course Canvas site or syllabus provided by instructor to find your required reading assignments. Pre-Intensive assignments may also include a brief online video conference, writing assignments or other activities as indicated by the instructor.
Come enjoy our lovely campus and opportunities for fellowship with colleagues in ministry. Our on-campus Summer Session includes daily chapel and a community-wide morning break. Intensive, in-person classes meet as shown in the course schedule below.
Students may complete coursework in a variety of ways, including regular academic-year courses and/or intensive January and summer courses. The January and summer courses are taught in one- and/or two-week formats, designed to fit in with a pastor’s study leave. We offer affordable campus housing during these events, subject to availability.
David Altshuler, MDiv
Director of Enrollment
San Francisco Theological Seminary
University of Redlands | Graduate School of Theology
415.451.2818 office
David_Altshuler@redlands.edu
Schedule an Appointment
