Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

A letter from the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program

The Centre for the Study of Ministry (administers the Doctor of Ministry program)

Overview of the Program

The Online Assisted Learning Format

Library Resources and Policies

How to Apply

Study Sequence Chart

Dates for Orientation and Residentials

DMin Bursary Information

DMin Handbook

Toronto School of Theology Announces Due Dates for 2013 DMin Applications

The Toronto School of Theology is happy to announce due dates for applications for the 2013 entering cohorts for the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programs. DMin applications will be accepted until January 15, 2013 for admission in April 2013. Further information is available at www.tst.edu

TST is an ecumenical collaboration of Christian schools that welcomes dialogue and mutual exchange with other academic disciplines and world religions. For more information, visit www.tst.edu or contact Alan Hayes, Director of the Toronto School of Theology at alan.hayes@utoronto.ca, 416-978-4039.

A Letter from the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program 

Dear Colleague in Ministry,

Thank you for considering the Doctor of Ministry program at the Toronto School of Theology (TST).

The DMin program at TST, in its 35th year of operation, is the oldest in Canada having been established in 1977. During that time it has faithfully served the church through its graduates whose ministry and leadership have been recognized and appreciated in Canada and internationally. 

Today the program is offered in a distance learning model making the degree available to persons living across Canada and beyond our borders.  This exciting new model of the degree is based on a flexible delivery system which includes both an e-learning basis and intensive on-campus learning experiences. The strength of its cohort learning experience, characteristic of the TST program, is established through face to face study during intensive weeks on campus and strengthened within the online learning community. Ongoing interaction is maintained between the student in their ministry environment, teaching faculty and their home colleges. This model truly captures what it means to learn in the context of ministry.

The Toronto School of Theology, with its seven member Colleges, creates a learning environment unparalleled in Canada. This is a place where ministry is not only taught but one where it is lived out in a diversity that closely resembles the pluralism and ecumenical nature of our culture. We are about church and ministry in our contemporary world.

Imagine what this rich learning experience could offer you and those you serve. Please contact me if you have questions or want to explore the possibilities further.

With very best wishes,

Joseph Schner, S.J. 
Interim Director

Overview of the Program

To achieve its goals of facilitating the growth towards a higher excellence and competence of those in ministry, the DMin program has eight essential components, which are at work developmentally through three phases as outlined in section III of the DMin Handbook. At key points in these phases, there is supervision and evaluation by faculty, the DMin Director, and the Academic Committee of the Centre for the Study of Ministry. In addition there is ongoing self, peer and ministry-based evaluation.

The DMin Program provides various kinds of learning and evaluation that are self-directed, communal, interdisciplinary, and integrative in nature. These experiences aim at helping students to achieve a high level of competence in their practice of ministry and at equipping them to propose and carry out the DMin Thesis. The components of the DMin program integral to achieving these goals include:

1. the Collaborative Learning Group which is engaged both on-campus during summer residentials and online throughout the academic year;

2. the development of an Individual Learning Plan (ILP);

3. a Ministry Base Group;

4. a College Advisor;

5. a Comprehensive Examining Committee;

6. the DMin Thesis Proposal Committee;

7. a DMin Thesis Director;

8. the DMin Thesis Examining Committee.

These components are operative in different phases of the program.

The Online Assisted Learning Format

The online assisted learning format has been designed and is being implemented in accordance with the guidelines provided by the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies (OCGS). In so doing this degree is conjointly awarded by the Toronto School of Theology (TST) and the University of Toronto (U of T).

This degree fulfils its residency requirement through on-campus intensive learning experiences. These occur within the first three years of the degree program in a manner which is compatible with the activities of practitioners engaged in active ministry. These collegial learning experiences are important. Each person brings a wealth of learning and experience to the group. These face to face experiences allow the group dynamics to develop and the contribution of each participant to enrich the learning environment.

Prior to each course offered students will find online outlines and support documents to support the learning experience.  The course readings are assigned and assignments will be completed after coming to campus. This will be supported by online conversations between the group, the course instructor and the program director. In this way, the learning cohort continues at a distance.

Each course within the program will be tailored to allow the student to examine more closely their area of interest and research. In most cases, this will be done by focusing the assignments for the course in the student's area of specialty. Elective courses may be taken in one of three ways. Advance degree courses may be taken at TST or reading and research courses may be designed in cooperation with TST faculty. Additionally these courses may be taken at other recognized universities or seminaries. All courses must be approved by TST through the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and the student's Individual Learning Plan Committee.

You will find a study sequence for the program here.

Library Resources and Policies

Doctor of Ministry students who study at a distance from Toronto can take advantage of the interlibrary loan system. Information about interlibrary loan is available in the document below.

Thank you for visiting our website. To inquire further about the information on this page, or to report an error, please contact Alison Hari-Singh, the D.Min. Program Administrator, at dmin.office@utoronto.ca.

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