Doctor of Ministry

There are two pathways to the award:

Doctor of Ministry by New Thesis: Coursework (20%) and Research (80%).

Coursework Component: Two core 18 credit points units each, to be completed with at least a High Credit average before proceeding to the research component.

Research Component: Thesis of 60,000 words maximum including footnotes/endnotes but excluding bibliography and appendices, under the direction of a supervisor; and compulsory participation in the Research Degree Workshop and the Research Seminars.

Doctor of Ministry by cohort 100% research and thesis – assisted by milestone tasks which contribute to the final development of the research project.

Milestone Component: There will be three major milestone tasks to complete in the first three years of the DMin program.

Milestone 1: Develop a comprehensive ministry context analysis. A summary will be presented to a Research Seminar

Milestone 2: Formal thesis proposal to be presented to the Research Committee

Milestone 3: Present preliminary findings from implementing research methodology. A summary will be presented to a Research Seminar.

Each milestone is complimented with a 4-day live in retreat that hosts facilitators who will assist students to explore their spiritual formation, leadership development and missional innovation.

Research Component: Thesis of 60,000 words maximum, including footnotes/endnotes but excluding bibliography and appendices, under the direction of two supervisors. Milestone tasks should contribute to building the content of the completed thesis. Compulsory participation in Research Seminars. Candidates will have an additional two years to complete thesis writing following the conclusion of the three-year milestone component.

Some thesis topics may require competence in ancient and/or modern foreign languages or relevant areas of knowledge such as statistics.

Knowledge

Graduates will have:

• systematic and critical understanding of the chosen area of Christian Life and Ministry;
• mastery of a substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of knowledge in the field, including knowledge that constitutes an original contribution;
• expert understanding of theories pertaining to the field;
• substantial knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field.

Skills

Graduates will have expert and specialised cognitive, creative, and technical skills in the field of research, so that they are able independently and authoritatively to:

• critically evaluate existing knowledge and ideas pertaining to the field of research;
• systematically investigate and integrate other information potentially relevant to that field including potentially relevant theories;
• demonstrate and apply theoretical understanding of the field;
• develop or adapt research methodologies to extend existing understanding of the field;
• generate original knowledge in the field;
• communicate results of research cogently and appropriately to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using the English language competently and effectively for the purpose;

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates, as a practitioner or learner in relation to the inter-dependent building up of the church and good of the wider community, will have the ongoing capacity to:

• plan and execute a coherent, significant and original piece of research with intellectual independence and authority;
• generate significant and original knowledge in the field;
• contribute expertise to academic discourses in the field;
• take initiatives, think creatively and make innovations in new situations and/or undertake further learning;
• assume full responsibility and accountability for personal outputs;
• relate the skills gained to the professional practice of ministry;
• engage in the formation of ministers;
• contribute to the professional development of ministry leaders;
• assist ministers, including ministry leaders, to relate their theological awareness to the practical needs of people in the contemporary world.

Graduate Attributes

Doctor of Ministry Graduates will:

• Be able to identify, analyse and articulate problems and issues in discourses current in their academic, professional and social communities;
• Recognise the level of their own understanding;
• Demonstrate creativity and originality of thought in solving problems and dealing with complex and abstract conceptual matters, and seek resolutions in light of the common good;
• Be able to access information efficiently using the means most appropriate to purpose and context;
• Conduct themselves with academic integrity and rigour and exercise critical thinking in forming judgments;
• Work autonomously and with an open mind;
• Understand the distinction between information and argument and be adept in marshalling information as evidence in argument;
• Adopt and practise responsible values and attitudes as members of academic, professional and social communities, based in part on their experience as SCD research candidates;
• Be able to communicate their thinking coherently and effectively, with appropriate English proficiency, in public debate and printed word;
• Have confidence to engage in public discussions of faith and ethics;
• Appreciate and act on opportunities for lifelong learning and encourage others to recognise learning opportunities for themselves;
• Be willing to assume high-level leadership in their academic, professional and social communities as needed.

Applications for candidature are made directly to the Sydney College of Divinity. Applications can be submitted online and are accepted throughout the year.

From January 2021 higher education domestic and onshore international students commencing study will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI)

• to be eligible for FEE-HELP (domestic students only)

The process of applying online for candidature must commence only after you have discussed your proposed study with the Sydney College of Divinity Research Director Professor Constantine R. Campbell. Email Prof Campbell at [email protected] to explore your options.

An overview of the process would be

1. Attend an interview with Research Director Professor Constantine R. Campbell in person or on phone
2. Decide on the research degree taking onto consideration what is most suited to your research topic. You would also need to consider the time, cost and other factors before you embark on your study
3. Check your eligibility and know the regulations
4. Prepare to submit your online application which includes the Summary of Research Intentions. Have all the information and supporting documentation ready. All official documents must be certified
5. Submit your HDR Application online

The Sydney College of Divinity Research Committee will consider the application. If you are successful, you will be admitted on a provisional basis and assigned a principal and secondary supervisor. They will assist you to prepare a Thesis Proposal.  The candidature is provisional until the acceptance of the Thesis Proposal by the Research Committee.

A graduate research degree provides a unique opportunity to follow and focus on an area of interest, and make an important contribution to the development of your chosen area. The decision to enter into a research degree should not be taken lightly. The study requires substantial time and financial commitment, and the capacity for innovative, independent research; critical thinking; time and project management skills; and skills of organisation and communication of information. Typically, full-time candidature requires an average of thirty hours per week and part-time candidature requires an average of fifteen hours per week. These hours should preferably be achieved through regular weekly commitment, but they may be achieved through varying periods of more and less intensive work.

International Students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times.

Fees are the same for all students. International students are not eligible for FEE-HELP, an Australian loan scheme that assists eligible full fee paying students pay their tuition fees at university and other higher education providers. International students will be required to pay the tuition fee at the beginning of each semester. The Graduate Research School may discuss payment plans if paying upfront presents difficulties.

Higher Degree by Research students are exempt from the restricted work hour conditions that apply to undergraduate and postgraduate (coursework) international students. This means that you may be able to work unlimited hours thus adding to your finances once you are in Australia. Always check the conditions of your visa before you decide to commence any work.

For more information email [email protected]

Research Period

Sem 1: Start Date: 17 February 2025. End Date: 22 June 2025. Census Date: 17 March 2025

Sem 2: Start Date: 21 July 2025. End Date: 23 November 2025. Census Date: 18 August 2025