DEGREE PROGRAMS & ADMISSIONS
DOCTOR OF EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY AIMS OF THE PROGRAM The goal of the Doctor of Educational Ministry degree program is to enhance the practice of and theological reflection on educational ministry for persons who hold their first professional degree in religious education or its equivalent and have engaged in educational ministry leadership for at least three years of full-time service in the practice of Christian educational ministry after their studies. Persons from other countries may be eligible to apply, and in certain instances, be admitted. The program affords a course of graduate study for educators who serve the people of God in the Church of Jesus Christ. The program focuses on (a) an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of educational ministry, (b) enhanced capacity to reflect theologically on issues and practices related to educational ministry, (c) acquisition and refinement of skills and competencies for more effective ministry, (d) an understanding of emerging models in educational ministry and ability critically to evaluate those models, and (e) continued growth in spiritual maturity. The Doctor of Educational Ministry program
• Significant interdisciplinary learning
provides advanced-level study of the theological,
experiences that provide integration of
educational, and administrative disciplines
theological understanding and ministerial
including:
practice, require thoughtful use of the
• An advanced and critical study of Christian formation from theological and historical perspectives as well as behavioral and social science perspectives; • An advanced and critical study of organizational and leadership development, and the social contexts for ministry; • An advanced and critical study of educational theory and practice as it relates to congregational and other ministry contexts; and • The development of skills and competencies
student’s ministerial context as a learning environment, and cultivate reflective practice of educational ministry; • Opportunities for personal and spiritual growth; and • Opportunities to learn how to engage in educational ministry in culturally and racially diverse contexts. Like the DMin program, the DEdMin program includes the design and completion of a doctoral level project. Such a project addresses the
nature and practice of educational ministry and necessary for research, planning, and evaluation should be of sufficient quality that it contributes of the practice of educational ministry in both to the student’s and the profession’s congregations or other settings.
The program also provides a variety of learning opportunities, including: • Peer learning and evaluation as well as selfdirected learning experiences;
28
Columbia Theological Seminary
understandings of the practice of educational ministry. The ministry project demonstrates the candidate’s ability, under supervision, to identify an educational ministry need, organize and carry out research methods that address that need, interpret the data, and implement and evaluate