Pastoral Ministry Emphasis (Suburban Philadelphia only)
Pastoral Counseling Emphasis (Suburban Philadelphia and Seoul only)
Urban Mission Emphasis (Suburban Philadelphia only)

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) is an advanced, professional degree program designed for those engaged in the full-time practice of ministry. It is the highest professional degree offered by Westminster. It differs from a Ph.D. degree in that its focus is on competence in the practice of ministry rather than on advanced academic research. In this sense, it is better compared to other professional doctorates, such as those awarded in medicine (M.D.) or law (J.D.). This is not intended to compromise the quality or depth of the work required, but rather to communicate the emphasis of the degree program.

Therefore, the purpose of the D.Min. program is to develop reflective practitioners in ministry who will grow not only in ministry comprehension and competence, but also in character. Because it is a doctoral degree program, the student is expected to pursue a high standard of expertise in ministry reflection and practice.

While the D.Min. is built upon the biblical, theological, and professional foundations of the M.Div. degree, the student benefits from the integration of the rich practical experiences gained from years of subsequent ministry.

There are three tracks of study in the D.Min. program: Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, and Urban Mission. Within the Counseling Track there is also a specialized emphasis on Korean Studies.

Applicants for the D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling or Urban Mission emphases who lack the M.Div. degree may meet the admission requirement if they meet the criteria stated in 4c. under Credentials below.

In the Pastoral Ministry program, a prerequisite for admission is at least three years in full time pastoral ministry, after receiving an M.Div. or its equivalent. Specific application of theory and methodology must be demonstrated in an extended period of ministry subsequent to entry into the program.

In the Pastoral Counseling program, a prerequisite for admission is at least three years of full time ministry in which counseling skills are utilized. This program emphasizes skill and conceptualizing enhancement for those persons who view counseling as a significant part of their ministry. Pastoral counseling, as a distinct counseling discipline, is a helping ministry to troubled persons, and it recognizes troubles as arising in the context of concerns about ultimate meaning and value. This ministry is directed toward the restoring, sustaining, guiding, and reconciling of such persons by making full use of the resources of the Christian faith. Although pastoral counseling is frequently done by ordained persons, it is not necessarily restricted to pastors; even when conducted by laypersons, counseling characterized by the above definition is pastoral.

In the Urban Mission program, a prerequisite for admission is at least three years of full time ministry in an urban, pastoral, or missions context. In addition, the candidate at the time of application must be serving full time in a gospel ministry or service and planning to continue that service during his or her D.Min. studies. All entering students will be required to attend a two-week orientation to the program in June.

Provisional Admission to the Program

Credentials
An applicant must ordinarily present the following credentials to the Director of Admissions: (These are in addition to the requirements listed on pages 35-38 of the catalog under "General Requirements for Admission to Programs.")

1. An application on a form provided by the Director of Admissions according to the following deadline:

June entrance for the Urban Mission Program	March 31
July entrance for the Korean Pastoral Program	March 31
August entrance for the Pastoral Ministry and the Pastoral Counseling Programs	March 31

Applicants for the Pastoral Ministry emphasis who begin their study at times other than those specified above must have their application materials in the Admissions Office at least two full months prior to their beginning date.

2. A non-refundable application fee. Late application may be approved by special action of the appropriate Department chairperson if there are extenuating circumstances. A late fee is added for applications received after the deadlines indicated above. Applicants are encouraged to note that the entrance examinations may cause delay. See page 140 of the catalog or contact Westminster's Registrar for fee information. International students should see page 37 of the catalog or click on For Internationals regarding requirements pertaining to checks.

3. A brief resume of the applicant's experience in ministry, including service as a student and/or as an ordained minister.

4. The following transcripts:
a. A full official transcript of all college work, including an attestation of the attainment of a baccalaureate degree. The college transcript should indicate that the college program was devoted largely to studies in the liberal arts.

b. For applicants who have earned the M.Div. degree, a full official transcript of the applicant's theological program, including an attestation of the attainment of the M.Div. degree and evidence of knowledge of the original languages of Scripture. Applicants lacking evidence of knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew may be admitted, but in order to graduate, these candidates must satisfy one of the following alternatives for each language in which they are deficient:
(1) Receive a waiver for study of the language(s) in which the
candidate is deficient. This waiver would be:
(a) Based on genuine hardship (such as ministry in a remote area of the world) and significant promise of excellence in D.Min. work (as evidenced by a record of ministry achievement and academic excellence), and
(b) Approved by the Doctor of Ministry Field Committee.
(2) Sustain an additional qualifying exam in the necessary language(s). This exam will be devised by the coordinator of each department.
(a) The Hebrew test will be based on the Joseph narrative (Genesis 37, 39 47). Students will be asked to translate and parse verb forms in selected verses, as well as to answer other general questions about syntax. Students will find it convenient to prepare for the exam by working through a study guide/syllabus by Rabbi Isaac Jerusalmi, The Joseph Story (Cincinnati: Hebrew Union College, 1973), which goes verse by verse through the chapters, giving vocabulary, parsing, and grammatical help.
(b) The Greek exam and texts for preparation will be determined by the New Testament department coordinator.
(3) Complete at a seminary or university a number of credit hours of language study in the language(s) in which the candidate is deficient. The institution and the number of hours must be approved by the coordinator of the Doctor of Ministry Field Committee.

c. For applicants to the D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling or Urban Mission emphases who lack the M.Div. degree, a full transcript of their theological program, including an attestation of:
(1) the attainment of a Westminster M.A.R. degree with a Counseling emphasis or Urban Mission emphasis, respectively, or its academic equivalent, and
(2) the successful completion of sufficient, additional seminary level study to give them a total of 92 semester hours approved by the director of the D.Min. area in which the applicant plans to major.

The M.A.R. degree, or its academic equivalent, and the additional semester hours must include at least the following:
(1) A total of 92 semester hours of seminary level work distributed among biblical studies (minimum of 28 hours), historical and theological studies (minimum of 18 hours), and practical studies (minimum of 12 hours).
(2) Evidence of knowledge in the original languages of Scripture. (Applicants who lack evidence of the knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew should see 4b. above.)

5. An academic reference on a Westminster form from a former teacher in the field of practical theology. Applicants seeking admission for the Pastoral Counseling emphasis must obtain this letter from a teacher in the field of pastoral counseling.

6. A church reference on a Westminster form from the applicant's supervisor or from the moderator (presiding officer) or clerk (secretary) of the official board under which the applicant is serving or has most recently served. This letter should attest to the applicant's Christian character and commitment to Christian ministry. In the case of those applying for work in pastoral counseling, the letter should come from the applicant's supervisor during the three year period of full time ministry required for admission. The letter must also attest to the applicant's skills as a counselor. In the case of those applying for work in Urban Mission, the letter should come from the board under which the applicant expects to serve.

7. Additional reference forms may be required. Candidates for the Urban Mission program will also submit two letters of recommendation from two lay leaders or associates connected with the applicant's present church or ministry.

8. A statement of the applicant's understanding of ministry and of his own call to the pastoral ministry or to a ministry in pastoral counseling or Urban Mission.

9. The Seminary may require the applicant to have a personal meeting with a representative of the Seminary. This interview will follow evaluation of the entrance examination.
Unless otherwise requested, applications uncompleted by the date stated by the applicant as the date of enrollment in the Seminary will not be retained.

International Students
The policies pertaining to international students are the same for all degree programs. Note particularly that international students must be full-time each semester. See page 37 of the catalog or click on For Internationals.

Registration
Registration is contingent upon receipt of a transcript showing completion of any prerequisite degree. Registration dates are stated in the academic calendar. No student in the D.Min. in Pastoral Ministry or the D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling is permitted to register after the first two days of beginning a D.Min. module.

Advanced Theological Writing
The policies pertaining to Advanced Theological Writing are the same for all degree programs. See page 36 of the catalog. International students whose schedules do not permit them to be on campus for an entire semester must arrange with the Executive Vice President alternate means of satisfying the English writing requirement.

Full Admission to the Program
Applicants granted provisional approval on the basis of the above credentials will be required to submit additional materials, including a paper presenting their personal conceptions of ministry, an exegetical paper, and a sermon. These materials must be approved before final admission to the program is granted.

An advance deposit fee must accompany these documents (see page 141 of the catalog or contact Westminster's Registrar Office). This fee is non refundable, unless a student is denied full admission. It is applicable to tuition only within one year from the date of admission. International students should see page 37 of the catalog or click on For Internationals regarding requirements pertaining to checks.

Pastoral Ministry Emphasis

The purpose of the Pastoral Ministry track is twofold. First, it aims to build on the shepherding skills and competencies gained through previous M.Div. studies, while integrating subsequent ministry experience for the purpose of sharpening and deepening those skills. Foundational areas such as pastoral nurture, preaching, leadership, and evangelism will be studied. Students will be encouraged to examine personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as to improve competencies in each of these areas. The challenges presented by the contemporary cultural context of ministry will also be considered. Careful attention will be given to the relationship of biblical theology to ministry practice.

Second, the program strives to enable the student to make a significant contribution to the field of pastoral ministry through the Applied Research Project. The program culminates in the completion of the Applied Research Project through which the student is expected to demonstrate mastery in a particular area of practical theology. Ideally, this work is accomplished in the student's current ministry context. Identifying a problem, challenge, or question, proposing and applying a ministry model, and evaluating that model are essential ingredients of the project. This work must be set upon a biblical foundation, taking into account both historical precedents and contemporary influences on the area in view.

Requirements and Time Limits
To be awarded a D.Min. degree, a student must complete six week-long modules of course work, successfully sustain two examinations, and complete the Applied Research Project.

The total program for the D.Min. degree requires no fewer than three years to complete and can commence in either January or August. The six modules should be completed in the first two years with the examinations completed by the end of the third year. The research project should be submitted no later than December 15 of the fifth year of the program. NOTE: Students whose programs go into a fourth year will be charged a continuation fee for that year and any additional approved years. Should the Applied Research Project be submitted in the December within the same year that a continuation fee has been paid, half of the continuation fee will be refunded.

By June 1 of each year, the Doctor of Ministry Office shall inform the Registrar's Office, the Business Office, and students of the progress and program status of each student.

Course Work
The D.Min. modules are designed to accommodate the schedules of those who are active practitioners in ministry. Therefore, the modules will require no more than six weeks of residence.

Each module normally contains 36 hours of classroom instruction, including the following elements: theoretical issues, skills, and practicum. Students will be required to complete an assignment before attending the module, as well as a post-modular assignment. Post-modular work must be returned to the Doctor of Ministry Office according to the following schedule:

November 15 following August modules
April 15 following January modules

No credit will be given until all assignments are completed successfully. All work will be graded by the course instructor. Students may not enroll in new modules until work in the previous course has been completed. A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 must be maintained for the student to graduate.

Required Modules:
PM 1: Nurture
PM 2: Gospel Communication (Preaching)
PM 3: Missions and Evangelism
PM 4: Leadership

Required modules are offered in consecutive weeks at the end of August each year. Modules PM1 and PM2 are offered in odd-numbered years (2005, 2007, etc.) and Modules PM3 and PM4 are offered in even-numbered years (2006, 2008, etc.). Notification of upcoming modules will be provided well in advance, including course descriptions and pre-module assignments.

Elective modules may be offered during other summer weeks or in January. The schedule of upcoming electives will be distributed well in advance. One elective may be taken through the D.Min. program at another approved institution. This must be endorsed by the student's adviser and by the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program.

Registration Procedure
Students must pre-register for modules they intend to attend according to the deadlines prescribed on course description sheets. There will be a late fee for all registrations received after the registration deadline.

Course Offerings
The modules offered for the D.Min. program are listed in the Practical Theology course description section, beginning on page 135 of the catalog.

Examinations
Two examinations must be sustained to complete the Pastoral Track:

1. The Reformed Theology Exam is designed to determine the student's knowledge of the theological position at Westminster and not necessarily his personal commitment to that position.

2. The Pastoral Theology Exam is designed to be a comprehensive evaluation of the student's knowledge in the field of Pastoral Theology.

These examinations should be sustained any time after the completion of two modules, but before the submission of the Applied Research Project.

The Pastoral Track Manual contains instructions to guide students in preparing for these examinations. The exams must be secured from the Doctor of Ministry Office and completed in accordance with the directives in the Pastoral Track Manual.

The Applied Research Project
The Applied Research Project is the culmination of the D.Min. program. It enables the student to dig deeply and develop expertise in a specific area of interest. It is designed to focus on a particular problem within the discipline of Practical Theology and to make a contribution to the student's understanding in that area. During modules PM1 and PM3, the student will be introduced to project design.

The Project Proposal describes the Project's proposed research, ministry model, and timetable. The proposal is developed in consultation with the student's faculty adviser. Ordinarily, the proposal should be approved within six months after the completion of the final module. More detailed guidelines and elements of the project proposal can be found in the Pastoral Track Manual.

The Applied Research Project must conform to the format and bibliographic style requirements found in the Pastoral Track Manual. All Research Projects must conform to the standards found in the latest edition of A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate Turabian. It is available from the Westminster Bookstore. Further guidelines can be secured from the student's adviser or the Doctor of Ministry Office.

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. The project will be reviewed by the student's adviser, a second reader from within the Westminster faculty, and by an individual unaffiliated with Westminster who is actively engaged in ministry related to that covered by the research project. A project "defense" will be scheduled on campus before March 15. The Practical Theology Department, taking into consideration the recommendation of all readers, will make the final determination on the project and the degree program as a whole. This will be communicated to the student by April 1. If approved, some minor changes may be required. The student must submit three final copies of the project to the Registrar by May 1. NOTE: The project will not be accepted for review unless all examinations have been sustained.

The original manuscript must be on 20-weight 50 percent or 100 percent cotton content paper, and two duplicates must be clear photocopies. No holes should be punched in the pages, and the three copies must be submitted flat in a box that is well protected so that the pages do not bend.

The degree will be awarded, together with the title, at the Seminary commencement in May. Degrees may be received in absentia only with the permission of the faculty.

Pastoral Counseling Emphasis

The purpose of this degree program is twofold. First, it aims to equip candidates for a high degree of competence in skill areas associated with pastoral counseling. Competence includes effective functioning not only in the professional areas of relating, assessment, and problem-solving skills, but also in conceptual abilities related to personality, learning, integration, and other theoretical constructs. But underlying these performances must be the foundational abilities to do self analysis, to discern and relate cultural patterns to ministry, and to bring all practice under the judgment of a biblical theological philosophy of ministry.

Second, this program aims to enable the candidate to make a contribution to the field of pastoral counseling through a D.Min. project. The project is the student's actual counseling done in an unexplored, skill-enhancing, or problematic area of counseling ministry. The project must rest upon a biblical base, take into account any previous work done in the particular area of research, define in repeatable steps the course of the project, and evaluate its conformity to biblical principles and effectiveness in reaching its goals.

Requirements and Time Limits
To be awarded the D.Min. degree, a candidate must complete four week long modules of course work, sustain two qualifying examinations, and complete a D.Min. project. Students are responsible to report to the Registrar when actions have been taken to meet deadlines in their program.

The total program for the D.Min. degree requires no fewer than three calendar years of work and begins in August. The four modules (two are offered each August) and the qualifying examinations should be completed ordinarily in the first two years of the student's program and the project may be completed in the subsequent year. The project must be submitted no later than December 15 of the fifth year (64 months) after the first module taken by the student.

Since the program is designed for men and women currently engaged in counseling ministries, it is scheduled to permit part time participation, with residence required only for the four weeks of course work. Part time participation is most practical when a student's project design is directly related to his or her current ministry. Individual program designs may include units of work to be completed at other institutions and may require the student to obtain a temporary leave of absence from present job responsibilities.

While enrolled in the program, the student must be engaged actively in a ministry in which counseling skills are utilized. Case studies growing out of the student's counseling ministry will be submitted during the practicum segment of the modules.

Course Work
The format of the course work consists of four modules of five days each. The modules are conducted in consecutive weeks at the end of August each year, modules "PC 1" and "PC 2" being offered in odd numbered years (2005, 2007, etc.) and modules "PC 3" and "PC 4" being offered in even numbered years (2006, 2008, etc.). Students may begin the program with either set of modules. The first of the two modules ("PC 1" and "PC 3") will be offered during the week which begins with the next to the last Monday in August, and the second of the two modules ("PC 2" and "PC 4") will be offered during the week which begins with the last Monday in August. (See the Academic Calendar for exact dates of modules and registration.) Ordinarily a student should complete all the modules in two years. Each of the four modules must be taken as a whole.

NOTE: Students whose programs go into a fourth year will be charged a continuation fee for that year and any additional approved years.

Each module contains 36 hours of classroom instruction roughly divided into three segments: a theoretical issues segment (9 hours); a skills segment (15 hours); and a practicum (12 hours). Prior to the classroom time, students must complete a reading assignment. After leaving campus, they must complete an assignment to receive credit for the module.

Since only four modules are required, and each module must be taken as a whole, no work may be transferred into the program.

No credit will be given until all assignments are completed successfully. All work will be graded by the course instructor. Students may not enroll in new modules until work in the previous course has been completed. A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 must be maintained for the student to graduate.

Any student receiving a failing grade in a D.Min. Counseling module may discuss the possibility of make-up work with the teacher involved. If this is not permitted, the module must be repeated. If two or more failing grades are received and make-up work is not permitted or is not successfully completed, the student will be withdrawn administratively from the Seminary.

Registration Restriction
No student in the D.Min. Counseling is permitted to register for a specific D.Min. module after the first two days of that module.

Qualifying Examinations
Any time after the completion of two modules, but before the submission of the Applied Research Project, the student must make arrangements with the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program to take the qualifying examination in Reformed Theology. This examination is designed to determine a student's knowledge of the theological position of Westminster and not necessarily his or her personal commitment to that position.

The qualifying examination in Counseling may be scheduled at any time following the completion of all four modules, but must be sustained before the student submits the project.

Applied Research Project
The project will develop some aspect of pastoral counseling ministry which both enhances personal skill and contributes to the church's understanding in a field of ministry.

During modules PC 1 and PC 3, the student will be introduced to project design and will be expected to develop a project proposal in consultation with his or her faculty adviser. The project proposal must be approved within three months after completion of the student's last module.

The project proposal describes the project the student will complete during the latter portions of the program. Although it will involve research and writing, it is not a book written on a subject, but rather is a project completed with people. The project is a vital part of the D.Min. program, and the student is advised to be in close contact with his or her adviser during the time of its formation, perhaps planning to be on campus for brief periods of time. Approval of the project proposal requires the signatures of the student's adviser, the Director of Pastoral Counseling, and the student. Copies of the proposal are retained by the Registrar, the adviser, and the student.

Whether students reside near Philadelphia or outside the area, they are encouraged to submit their projects by chapters or sections so that changes can be made before the final copy deadline. Students residing overseas should take into account delays in mail service and should at all times keep a copy of their work.

The project must conform to the format and bibliographic style requirements in "Westminster Thesis and Dissertation Format Guidelines," available from the Librarian. 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. See the above section regarding time limits. Further guidelines for the project are available from the student's adviser and from the Registrar's Office.

The project will be submitted for review to an individual who is unaffiliated with Westminster but is actively engaged in a ministry related to that covered by the project. Taking into account the evaluation provided by this individual, the Practical Theology department will make a final decision regarding acceptance of the project by April 1 for the May graduation. If approved, some minor corrections may be required.

The student must submit the final project 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 should be submitted flat in a box which is well protected so that the pages do not bend.

The project will not be accepted for review unless both qualifying examinations have been sustained. The student must be present on campus for a defense of the project before the department of Practical Theology. Successful completion of the program will be determined by the Practical Theology department and will be announced to the student by April 15, but degrees will not be awarded until the Seminary commencement. The degree may be received in absentia only with the permission of the faculty.

Pastoral Counseling Program (Seoul)

Admissions
Students who have finished four modules of the Certificate in Biblical Counseling Program can apply for the D. Min. in Pastoral Counseling Program (Seoul) and can be admitted when they finish all six modules. Students admitted to the program must have a comparable B.A. (B.S.) and M.Div. degrees and have had at least three years of ministerial experience. There is no TOEFL requirement.

Program Requirements
Phase 1: This phase includes the successful completion of the modules taught in Seoul.

Phase 2: Qualifying exams upon student's completion of Phase 1. Students are required to sustain exams using the principles from course work in the following areas: 1) Reformed Theology, 2) Content of Modules, 3) Counseling Case Study.

Phase 3: Final Project Report
1) Following completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 students may proceed to work on the final project report with the guidance of a Korean adviser who is on the project committee.
2) The final project report may be written in Korean with a full translation in English by an approved translator. The translated project must be proofread by a qualified person. The student must pay for translation and proofreading. The project will be evaluated by the student's Korean adviser, the project report reader, the outside reader, and the Director of Library Services.
3) A part-time project reader will be assigned by Westminster.
4) The student must defend the project before the faculty in the following manner:
Each reader will receive a copy of the project in his or her own language.
After reading the project, the faculty members will present to the Director of Korean Ministerial & Counseling Education written queries to which the student must respond. This will be done in Korea by the Korean professors as proctors.
A fully translated copy of the student's responses to the queries will be presented to the Westminster faculty. The advisory faculty's approval of the student's responses to the queries will be received as a sustained defense.
5) Students will be given a maximum of five years to complete the program without requiring extension requests.

Urban Mission Emphasis

This degree program seeks to develop skills for leadership and disciplined self analysis in ministry in urban settings in North America and overseas. The student will learn to interact theologically with insights drawn from the behavioral and social sciences for a better understanding of urban cultures and urban ministries. A constant effort will be made to coordinate all the phases of the program with the concrete particular needs arising out of each student's particular place of ministry.

The total program for the D.Min. in Urban Mission requires no fewer than three years of work, carried out in five phases. Students are responsible to report to the Registrar when actions have been taken to meet deadlines in their program. Work in the program can begin immediately after the admission process and the June orientation are completed. The official beginning date of the program is the date the Registrar receives the student's first tuition payment. All work must be completed within five years of the beginning date of the student's program.

Orientation Phase
It is mandatory that each student be in residence for one week in June during the Orientation Phase. A pre-reading assignment will be given to the students one month prior to orientation, and it must be completed by the June residency along with a written report of the reading. At that time he or she will prepare a personal learning proposal and attend seminars on those subjects related to the particular needs and areas of urban ministry. Once approved, the learning proposal becomes the working basis for all subsequent phases. Periods of personal consultation and fellowship between the student and the missions professors will be scheduled and each student's personal program will be evaluated and discussed. A student may want to choose up to a year of residency for study and research if such an extended residency best fits the student's need. No additional charge will be made for such studies.

Field Research Tutorial Phase
Each student must complete the Field Research Tutorial before taking any modules or pursuing the competency exams. The tutorial is a self-study program consisting of guided readings and assignments to assist the student in professional research skills. It will be given to the student during the June residency so students can discuss any questions they have during the orientation time. All sections of the tutorial are to be submitted to the student's adviser at the same time (a time decided upon by the student in consultation with the student's adviser), and the tutorial will be graded. A student must receive a grade of B+ or higher to begin the next phase.

Core Module and Competency Exam Phase
In this phase students must complete four required core modules and four elective competency exams. All modules and competency exams will be graded. In no case will a student be allowed to submit an applied research project report for review before fulfilling the requirements of each of the modules and competency areas with a grade point average of 3.00 or above.
Required Modules:
PU 1 Mission Strategies/Globalization
PU 2 Contextual Theology
PU 3 Community Analysis/Demographics
PU 4 Mission Anthropology

Required modules are offered in consecutive weeks at the beginning of June each year. Modules PU 1 and PU 3 are offered in even-numbered years (2006, 2008, etc.) and Modules PU 2 and PU 4 are offered in odd-numbered years (2005, 2007, etc.). Notification of upcoming modules will be provided by March 1 each year, including course descriptions and pre-module assignments.

Each module normally contains 36 hours of classroom instruction including the following elements: theoretical issues, skills, practicum, and seminar. Students will be required to complete an assignment before attending the module, as well as a post-modular assignment. Post-modular work must be returned to the Director of the Urban Program by July 31.

Elective Competency Exams. The student must demonstrate competency by successfully passing four competency exams. These exams should be chosen from the following list of seven. The selection of exams must be approved by the D.Min. Urban faculty during the Orientation Phase.

Theology of Community Development
Church Growth/Church Planting
Church and Ministry Leadership Development
Encountering World Religions/Elenctics
Theological Education in a Global Setting
Theology of Urban Mission
Ecclesiology and Culture

Competency exams will be completed while the student is in the field. The Seminary will distribute materials in the designated areas of study during the Orientation Phase in order to provide students the opportunity to discuss questions.

Requirements for completion of each competency exam will be established as part of the student's learning proposal and will, insofar as possible, be related to the student's applied research project.

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
Applied Research Project. This 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 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.

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 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.

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.