Doctor of Ministry

The goal of the Doctor of Ministry degree offered at Fordham University is to provide advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of religious ministry, increased competencies in pastoral analysis and ministry skills, sustained theological reflection on the practice of ministry, and new knowledge about the practice of ministry.

The program, combining theory and pastoral practice, strives for the integration of theological and social science knowledge to advance excellence in religious ministry. The purpose of the program is to enhance the general practice of ministry in its many forms as well as provide expertise in specialized areas of ministerial practice.

At the core of the program are theological, historical, psychological, sociological, and foundations. Various models of theological reflection are utilized: ministerial, spiritual wisdom, feminist, enculturation, and practical theology.

In keeping with Fordham University’s Jesuit mission the program gives special, though not exclusive, attention to the Christian and Catholic religious tradition. A major concern of the program, in keeping with the mission of Jesuit education, is to explore the social role that religious ministry can play in dealing with cultural and theological issues such as ecology, feminism, multiculturalism, globalization, enculturation, peace and justice, and spirituality.

The D. Min. degree is designed to prepare reflective and competent professionals for positions of leadership in religious ministry. The program strives to discover and nurture sound scholarship, meaningful research, and the interdependence of theory and practice. The D. Min. is conferred on the basis of scholarship, research skills and practical application demonstrated by the student’s course work, examinations, doctoral project, and ministerial experience.

CURRICULUM

The D. Min. program offers an advanced level of study in pastoral and practical theology and involves their integration with religious ministry. The curriculum also focuses on the acquisition of skills and competencies in pastoral practice and research. A doctoral level project serves as the capstone for the student’s program.

Various kinds of learning comprise the program of studies: lectures, readings, community, discussions, self-directed learning, peer learning, library research, workshops, experiential learning and E-learning. Close attention is also given to the various contexts in which students exercise their religious ministries.

The D. Min. program includes the designing, writing and presentation of a doctoral level dissertation or project that deals in a significant manner with theory and practice of ministry. This work should reach the level where it contributes to the practice of ministry and is applicable to other ministerial situations. To complete this project each student identifies a ministerial issue, conducts the necessary research using appropriate methodology, and presents a practical proposal for dealing with the issue. Doctoral projects are evaluated by a committee, presented orally, placed in the university library, as well as in Dissertation Abstracts.

The D. Min. program requires that students take a minimum of 36 advanced credits beyond the Master of Divinity or its equivalent as well as complete a doctoral dissertation or project. Twenty one credits are taken in a required core of courses; 15 credits are in electives. Normally, the degree requires not less than two and no more than six years to complete.

All D. Min. students are required to submit a paper on their personal theology of ministry. This paper is usually prepared for the Theology of Ministry course.

All D. Min. students are required to be in the D. Min. Mentoring Seminar when they present their dissertation or project proposal. They must also enroll in this seminar each semester until they defend their dissertation or present their project

ADMISSIONS

Admission to the D. Min. program requires the possession of Master of Divinity degree or its educational equivalent. Generally, equivalency is assessed as tantamount to 36 graduate credits in theological, religious, or ministerial studies (15 credits in Scripture, 15 credits in doctrinal or systematic theology, and 6 credits in other theological or religious areas of study). Students who do not have this background are advised to take such courses in the GSRRE, the Department of Theology of Fordham University, and other graduate theological programs. The practice of ministry is not considered an equivalent substitute for the Master of Divinity degree.

To be admitted to the program applicants should normally have had three years of experience in ministry after their first theological degree. They should also manifest the capacity for an advanced level of competence in and reflection on religious ministry.
Admission of candidates to the D Min. is determined by the D Min. Committee, which is comprised of the dean, director and faculty members. Admission to the D. Min. is selective and offered only to those students who have demonstrated the requisite intellectual ability, academic and ministerial preparation, and motivation.

Normally, those applying for admissions have achieved a B+ average in their Master’s program. They should supply a copy of their college and seminary transcripts as well as two letters of recommendation, one from a professor with whom they have studied and one from a ministerial supervisory person. Applicants should also submit a personal statement of purpose for seeking the degree. Applications are available from the graduate office (Phone: 718-817-6800) or the graduate school website: www.fordham.edu/gsrre

Since the number of candidates accepted each year for this degree is limited, students should apply for admission by March 1st. Ordinarily students accepted in this program begin their studies in the fall term. Every effort is made to notify applicants by April 15 of each year.
Each student accepted into the program is assigned an advisor who guides the student in academic and career matters. Students are expected to maintain a (B+) grade average during the entire period of their doctoral studies. Students are free to choose the mentor for their doctoral projects as well as other members of their doctoral committee.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY FACULTY

Anthony J. Ciorra, PhD (Fordham University), dean of the graduate school, teaches courses in theology of ministry, and spirituality.

John L. Elias, Ed D (Temple University), director of the Doctor of Ministry and the MA/MS program in pastoral studies, teaches courses in pastoral and practical theology, and religious education.

Kirk Bingaman, PhD (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley), director of the pastoral counseling program, teaches courses in pastoral counseling and human development.

Claudio Burgaleta, S.J., PhD. (Boston College) teaches courses in Hispanic ministry, church and society, and pastoral and pastoral theology.

Lisa Cataldo, PhD, (Union Theological Seminary, New York) teaches courses in pastoral care and counseling.

Gloria Durka, PhD (New York University), director of the PhD program in Religious Education, teaches courses in parish leadership, family ministry, and aesthetics.

Harold Horell, PhD (Boston College), director of the MA/MS program in religious education, teaches courses in youth and young adult ministry, social ministry, and religious education.

German Martinez, STD (San Anselmo, Rome) teaches courses in liturgical theology, theology of marriage, and the adult catechumenate.

Beverly Musgrave, PhD (Fielding University) teaches courses in pastoral counseling, healing ministry, and group processes.

Janet K. Ruffling, R.S.M., PhD (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley), director of spirituality and spiritual direction program, teaches courses in theology, spirituality, and spiritual direction.

Kieran Scott, Ed D. (Columbia, Teachers College) teaches courses in theology, religious education, and adult education.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY Curriculum
(36 credits beyond the M. Div or its equivalent)

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1. PASTORAL MINISTRY SPECIALIZATION (Coordinator, Dr. John Elias)

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A. Core Studies (21 credits):

Foundations of Pastoral and Practical Theology
Seminar in Pastoral Theology and Practice
Theology of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care
Theology of Ministry
Ministerial Ethics and Identity
Pastoral Planning and Evaluation
DMIN Mentoring Seminar

B. Electives (15 credits):

Students are free to choose under advisement and according their interests, electives from the various courses offered in the GSRRE or other graduate schools of Fordham University. These may be from one or more areas of study such as pastoral counseling, spirituality/spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, religious education, or from a number of areas.

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2. PASTORAL COUNSELING SPECIALIZATION (Coordinator, Dr. Kirk Bingaman)

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A. Core Studies (21 credits):

Foundations of Pastoral and Practical Theology)
Seminar in Pastoral Theology and Practice
Or Partners in Healing
Theology of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care
Theology of Ministry
Ministerial Ethics and Identity
Or Professional Ethics in Pastoral Care and Counseling
Pastoral Planning and Evaluation
Or Psychotherapy and Diagnosis
DMIN Mentoring Seminar

B. Electives (15 Credits): PASTORAL COUNSELING COURSES (15 credits)

Students are free to choose under advisement electives from the various courses offered in the GSRRE or other graduate schools of Fordham University related to pastoral counseling, according to interests and prospective ministry.

Required Electives (12 credits):

REGR 8061 Basic Skills in Pastoral Counseling & Spiritual Direction
REGR 6407 Pastoral Counseling
REGR 6649 Human Growth & Development
REGR 8042 Group Process & Dynamics

Free Credits (3 credits):

REGR 6399 Social & Cultural Foundations of Counseling
REGR 6675 Advanced Adult Development: Life Span Issues & Appraisal of Individuals, Couples & Families
REGR 6836 Ministry to the Sick
REGR 6838 Death, Dying, & Bereavement

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3. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION SPECIALIZATION (Coordinator, Dr. Janet Ruffing)

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A. Core Studies (21 credits):

Foundations of Pastoral and Practical Theology
Seminar in Pastoral Theology and Practice

Or Supervised Spiritual Direction Practicum (6 credits)

Theology of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care

Or Theology and Practice of Spiritual Direction

Theology of Ministry

Or the Study of Christian Spirituality

Pastoral Planning and Evaluation

B. Electives (15 credits)

Students are free to choose under advisement electives from the various courses offered in the GSRRE or other graduate schools of Fordham University related to spirituality/spiritual direction, according to interests and prospective ministry.

REGR 8064 Pastoral Counseling &Spiritual Direction Skills
REGR 6804 History of Spirituality I
REGR 6806 History of Spirituality II
REGR 6811 Meditation: East &West
REGR 6818 Discernment of Spirits: Selected Mystics
REGR 8090 Advanced Seminar in Spiritual Direction
REGR 6694 Personal Identity
REGR 6692 Psychology & Religion /Spirituality
REGR 6649 Human Growth &Development
REGR 6675 Advanced Adult Development: Life Span Issues
REGR 6815 Ignatian Way
REGR 6821 Spiritual Quest with Guidance from Rahner

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4. LATINO MINISTRY SPECIALIZATION (Coordinator, Fr. Claudio M. Burgaleta, S.J., Ph.D.)
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A. Core Studies (21 credits):

Foundations of Pastoral and Practical Theology (3 credits)
Seminar in Pastoral Theology and Practice (3 credits)
Theology of Ministry (3 credits)
Ministerial Ethics (3 credits)
Intro to Hispanic Ministry (3 credits)
US Latino Theology (3 credits)
DMIN Mentoring Seminar

        2. Electives (15 credits):
In addition to courses offered by the GSRRE, students, with the approval of their advisors, may take graduate courses offered by Fordham University's Latin American and Latino Studies Institute (LALSI). Consult their website for graduate offerings at www.fordham.edu/lalsi

        3. Dissertation or Project:
On some topic related to Latino/Hispanic Ministry