2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Degree Programs}
Doctor of Ministry
The Director of the Urban Mission Program will provide to the
Registrar the student’s study plan for completion of all degree
requirements, including the time frame for completion of the various
phases (not to exceed five years from the beginning date).
Project Writing Phase
The Applied Research Project phase is done in the field. It is the
actual carrying out of the agreed upon project and the writing up
of that project, including all sections covered in the areas of competency.
The project must conform to the format and bibliographic
style requirements in “Westminster Thesis and Dissertation Format
Guidelines,” available from the Librarian and included in the Doctor
of Ministry in Urban Mission Program Handbook. Three copies of
the project, along with the external reader fee, must be submitted
to the Registrar no later than December 15 for the following May
graduation. Further guidelines for the project are available from the
student’s adviser and from the Registrar’s Office.
A fourth copy of the project should be submitted for evaluation
to an external reader who is an individual approved by the student’s
academic adviser and unaffiliated with Westminster, but is actively
engaged in a ministry related to that covered by the project. The
project should be submitted to this person no later than December
15 for the following May graduation. The external reader should
submit an evaluation of the project to the Registrar no later than
January 15. Guidelines for this evaluation are available from the
Registrar.
or not the project is acceptable. Changes may be made and the
project reassessed up to April 1 for May graduation.
The student must submit final copies with all recommended
changes included to the Registrar by May 1. The original manuscript
must be on 20-weight 50 percent or 100 percent cotton content
paper, and the two duplicates must be clear photocopies. No holes
should be punched in the pages, and the three copies of the project
report should be submitted flat in a box that is well protected so
that the pages do not bend.
Degrees will be awarded at the Seminary commencement in
the spring. The degree may be received in absentia only with the
permission of the faculty. See the procedure for requesting permission
to graduate in absentia on page 45.
Time Limit
After five years in the program, the student should have completed
all requirements. Ordinarily study extensions are not granted
beyond the five-year limit.
2009–2010
Project Defense Phase
An oral defense of the project report will be scheduled with the
student for January or February of the expected year of graduation.
At this time the Practical Theology department will ask questions,
make recommendations, and make a final decision regarding
acceptance of the project. The external reader’s evaluation will
also be taken into consideration at this defense. The defense may
be done either in person on campus or, because of distance from
campus, by conference call (at the student’s expense). The student
and the Registrar will be notified at the time of defense whether
86