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NASHOTAH HOUSE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY GRADUATE DEGREES PROGRAM Doctor of Ministry Master of Sacred Theology
Introduction The summer (Petertide) term at Nashotah House is designed to provide an atmosphere in which both learning and collegial interaction can take place. Nashotah House offers two programs of post-graduate level course work, the Doctor of Ministry program and the Master of Sacred Theology Program. Qualified students (those holding the Masters of Divinity degree or its equivalent) may enroll in courses in either program, depending on their professional and academic goals.
The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program is intended for clergy and others in positions of leadership who are seeking a terminal professional degree through advanced studies in specific areas of ministry. The emphasis in this program is on developing and improving one’s skills in congregational and ministerial leadership.
The Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) is an academic master’s degree, intended to give the student an opportunity for more in-depth study in areas of theological studies than is possible at the M.Div. level. This program provides opportunities for research and writing, and may serve as preparation for further graduate study.
Seminars, many of which will be common to the two programs, are taught by Nashotah House faculty and visiting professors. Participants in both programs are included in the daily round of prayer and Eucharist in the seminary chapel and share in the daily life of the community.
The Doctor of Ministry Program The D. Min. program is designed for those students who wish to earn an advanced ministry degree and who are available to take courses during the summer months.
The D.Min. program consists of seminars in the area of liturgy, spirituality, biblical exposition (both biblical exegesis and homiletics), and congregational development. The foundational unit of the program is a ministry seminar that is designed to give students the opportunity to integrate their studies with reflection on ministry. Students will conclude their program with a project that embodies this reflection in light of their studies in the program.
Purpose of the D.Min. Program The primary purpose of the program is to enhance the study and practice of ministry for those persons already holding the M.Div. degree and who also have ministry experience. The program seeks to further develop both the intellectual and practical components that are typically exercised in ministry. As a professional degree, the D. Min. stresses the practical aspects of ministry through biblical, historical and theological reflection and application. The program is not designed to prepare students for a college or university teaching ministry.
History of the D.Min. Program For a number of years, Nashotah House offered two summer programs of continuing education for clergy and lay leaders in the area of congregational development and evangelism. The Boone Porter Institute was created to honor the late Rev. Canon H. Boone Porter, who began his theological teaching career at Nashotah House, and to continue the work begun with the June 1999, “Living the Covenant” consultation, Dr. Porter’s last project before his death. This consultation was a groundbreaking effort among Episcopalians with regard to the “total ministry” of all the baptized and the renewal of congregational life.
A second forerunner of the Doctor of Ministry program was Nashotah House’s School of Evangelism, a summer program aimed at equipping laity and clergy spiritually and practically for the work of primary evangelism: reaching out to the unchurched with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and incorporating them into the Body of Christ. The School was inspired by the missionary spirit of Nashotah House’s founder, James Lloyd Breck, who dedicated his life to the spread of the Gospel on the American frontier, and was an expression of the Seminary’s mission and vision to equip church leaders to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The School also included a separate track focused on the critical need of evangelizing today’s youth.
In 2002, Nashotah House Dean and President, the Very Rev. Robert S. Munday, voiced his hope that Nashotah House would begin a Doctor of Ministry program, embodying the emphases from the Boone Porter Institute and the School of Evangelism in a Congregational Development track. When the Nashotah House Trustees gave their approval to begin the necessary work toward developing such a program, in May 2003, additional emphases were added in two areas for which Nashotah House is known for excellence: Liturgics and Spirituality, and one further emphasis thought to be a necessary adjunct for congregational development: the renewal of preaching and ministry through excellence in biblical exposition. Thus, building on the historic emphases of the House and the work of previous generations of notable faculty, Nashotah House is pleased to be able to offer the Doctor of Ministry program for the continuing education and renewal of clergy and other ministry professionals.
Areas of Study in the D.Min Program This area of study concentrates on the use of the Bible in preaching and ministry. This concentration will follow an interdisciplinary approach that includes both homiletics and biblical exegesis—seeking to emphasize the content and interpretation of the biblical message in the Church’s ministry as well as the skills necessary for effective preaching and teaching in congregational settings.
This concentration builds on one of the historic strengths of Nashotah House in providing opportunities for persons in ministerial leadership to reflect upon the rich history of Christian worship with a view to enhancing the congregational experience of worship in the contemporary Church.
This concentration encourages a deeper and more dynamic understanding of Christian spiritual traditions, the history and literature of Christian spirituality, and the process of spiritual formation. It is designed to explore the relationship between spirituality and theology, and provides conceptual understandings needed to distinguish between spiritual direction, pastoral care, and therapy.
This concentration provides opportunities for persons in ministry to study and enhance their capacity for leading congregations in growth as faith communities while reaching out to persons in the wider community with love and compassion. Students will have the opportunity to learn from Nashotah House faculty and visiting faculty with proven experience in congregational leadership and to study approaches for leading congregations in evangelism, church growth and congregational revitalization.
D.Min. Program Requirements Students admitted to the program must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours with a grade point average of B or higher. Working with his/her advisor, the student will develop a program of study that conforms to one of the following four tracks offered in the program: Liturgy, Spirituality, Biblical Exposition, or Congregational Development.
The student is required to complete 24 semester hours of coursework and six hours of project or thesis work. Of the 24 semester hours of coursework, the student must take 3 seminars (9 credit hours) in one concentration which will form the student’s major concentration. Additionally, each student will take one seminar (3 credit hours) from each of the three tracks that are outside of the student’s chosen track and one seminar (3 credit hours) as an elective in any area. Each student must also take the 3-credit integrative seminar, which will provide an opportunity to examine issues in ministerial leadership and the relationship between the practice of ministry and scholarly theological reflection.
The program should be completed in no less than three years, and no more than six. Students will choose no more than 3 of 6 courses offered during the four-week Petertide term (July). Each course meets either in the morning, afternoon, or evening every day for two weeks Each course or workshop will consist of 30 contact hours and will carry 3 semester hours credit. Thus, a student can earn the required 24 semester hours of coursework after three summers of work.
After the completion of 12 credit hours and before the completion of 18, the student will submit a detailed written statement to the advisor requesting candidacy and explaining which methodological approach he/she wants to pursue in the program. At this time the student must also submit a project proposal. Candidacy is granted if the student has earned at least a B average in the program, obtained an approval for the project, and demonstrated progress toward meeting the goals established in the application.
Components of the D. Min. Program
Doctor of Ministry Coursework: The courses offered during the Petertide Term are intended to integrate biblical, historical and theological reflection with practical ministry experiences. The student should carefully consult with their advisor to ensure that courses taken correspond to their chosen D. Min. track.
Seminar in Ministry: This three-credit seminar is required for all D. Min. students. Its primary purpose is to offer an intentional atmosphere for integrating biblical, historical and theological reflection and the concerns of practical ministry.
D. Min. Project: The Project constitutes 6 credit hours of work. It should have a professional focus that provides opportunities for reflection on professional development, integrates the academic learning experience with personal ministry experiences, and demonstrates how the student’s understanding of ministry is enhanced.
The student must consult with his/her advisor and submit the project proposal before the D.Min. Committee prior to May 1. Any proposal received after that will not be considered until the subsequent Fall term.
Possibilities for Projects: 1) Action/Reflection model – a presentation of the results growing out of some direct engagement within a context of ministry. 2) Program Model – a presentation or description of program possibilities (educational, liturgical, homiletical, pastoral, etc.) designed by the student for his/her work. 3) Thesis or Essay – a study of some topic related to the integration of one’s academic work and professional focus.
Possible Track Projections for completing the coursework in three years:
Track Summer 1 Summer 2 Summer 3
Biblical Exposition Biblical Exposition 1 Biblical Exposition 2 Biblical Exposition 3 Liturgy 1 Spirituality 1 Cong. Dev. 1 Integrative Seminar Elective
Liturgy Liturgy 1 Liturgy 2 Liturgy 3 Biblical Exposition 1 Spirituality 1 Cong. Dev. 1 Integrative Seminar Elective
Spirituality Spirituality 1 Spirituality 2 Spirituality 3 Biblical Exposition 1 Liturgy 1 Cong. Dev. 1 Integrative Seminar Elective
Congregational Cong. Dev. 1 Cong. Dev. 2 Cong. Dev. 3 Development Biblical Exposition 1 Spirituality 1 Liturgy 1 Integrative Seminar Elective
Master of Sacred Theology Program The Master of Sacred Theology Program is designed to encourage parish clergy to use a combination of continuing education time and vacation time in an experience which affords opportunity for study, prayer, and reflection. Nashotah House invites internationally known visiting scholars to augment the regular faculty in the summer, further enriching the learning experience available at Nashotah House. As a continuing education resource, the summer STM Program challenges students to undertake serious study of a kind not generally available to the clergy. It is academically rigorous, focused within the unique tradition of Anglicanism, and grounded, as life at Nashotah House has always been, in the daily prayer of the Church.
Purpose of the S.T.M. Program The Master of Sacred Theology (STM) program is an academic, interdisciplinary, graduate-level degree in theological studies, intended to enable students to deepen their theological understanding through advanced study in a specialized area. There are two separate tracks to the STM degree with different goals and requirements. During their course of study for the degree, qualified students may elect to pursue either the thesis or non-thesis track. Application to the STM program requires submission of a five-page sample of previously completed academic research or writing.
STM level courses are offered during the Petertide term, which is normally scheduled for four weeks in July and is designed to encourage parish clergy (and others) to use continuing education time and vacation time to complete the requirements for this degree over a period of three to six years. Faculty in the summer program include faculty of Nashotah House and visiting scholars.
Areas of Study in the S.T.M. Program As an interdisciplinary graduate-level degree in theological studies, the STM program concentrates on distinctives of the Anglican tradition, including the history of the Church, and its theology, liturgy, and spirituality.
Seminars in this area of study will offer in-depth examinations of particular topics and themes in Church History, especially as they have had an impact on Anglicanism. Particular emphasis will be placed on the catholic tradition within the Anglican Communion.
Seminars in this area provide an opportunity to examine developments in Christian Theology and their impact on the Anglican tradition—as well as distinctive contributions of the Anglican tradition to the whole of Christian Theology.
This concentration will emphasize the history of Christian worship, particularly as it is seen in the Anglican tradition. Seminars in this area reflect the whole breadth and depth of Anglican worship in both its historic and contemporary expressions. In keeping with Nashotah House’s unique history and ethos, particular emphasis will be placed on the history and practice of worship in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.
This concentration affords an opportunity for a deeper exploration of the history and literature of Christian spirituality. Seminars will examine the process of spiritual formation as it has been viewed in both eastern and western Christianity. Seminars in this area will explore the relationship between spirituality, theology, and liturgy.
The S.T.M. Non-Thesis Track This track offers an opportunity to candidates for extending theological understanding in the light of their pastoral experience. Completion of this track entails a residency requirement of three Petertide (summer) terms.
In order to qualify for the STM degree in the non-thesis track, a student must:
1. Possess, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts Degree (or the equivalent), the first professional degree (B.D., M.Div., or the equivalent). 2. Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) credit hours of course work and pass an oral comprehensive examination. 3. Maintain at least a “B” (5.0) grade point average for each term of academic work. 4. Satisfy the residency requirements. 5. Be free of indebtedness to the House.
Further details regarding the degree requirements will be found in the Student Handbook.
The S.T.M. Thesis Track This track offers persons contemplating an academic career in theology study an opportunity to test such a vocation before making a commitment to a doctoral program. After a minimum of one term of course work, students interested in writing a thesis may apply to the STM committee indicating their intent.
The thesis track requires the student to be in residence for at least two Petertide terms.
In order to qualify for the STM degree in the thesis track, a student must:
1. Possess, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts Degree (or the equivalent), the first professional degree (B.D., M.Div., or the equivalent). 2. Complete eighteen (18) credit hours of course work and six (6) hours of thesis research and preparation. The thesis (approximate length 25,000 words) must be on a topic approved by the Faculty and the candidate must successfully sustain an oral examination on the thesis topic. The thesis does not have to be completed during the student’s residence at the House, but the candidate must return for the oral examination. 3. Students in the thesis track may also be required by the faculty to pass a proficiency examination in any foreign languages deemed to be relevant to the field of specialization. 4. Satisfy the residency requirements. 5. Maintain at least a “B” (5.0) grade point average for each term of academic work. 6. Be free of indebtedness to the House.
Further details regarding the degree requirements will be found in the Student Handbook.
The Application Process
Nashotah House admits students without regard to age, race, sex, color, nationality, or ethnic origin.
Application forms for the both the D.Min. and S.T.M. degree programs may be obtained from the Admissions Office. With these forms you will also receive a list of the materials required to complete your admission file. All of the essential items must be received by the Director of Admissions before your file can be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee for consideration.
Correspondence and requests for application forms and information should be addressed to:
The Office of Admissions Nashotah House 2777 Mission Road Nashotah, WI 53058-9793 Admissions Telephone: 1-800-627-4682 Switchboard: 262-646-6500 Fax: 262-646-6504 Email:
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