After reading another thread concerning degree titles in theology/religion, it got me thinking about the different degrees. I'm curious as to what the difference is between a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) and a Doctor of Sacred Theology (S.T.D.), specifically what is it (courses, topics of research) that sets them apart? Bruce
No significant differences except sponsorship and doctrinal perspective. The Th.D. is primarily offered by divinity schools located at universities (such as Harvard and Yale), while the S.T.D. is primarily offered by main line seminaries (primarily Catholic and Lutheran) and pontifical universities (usually in Rome, where many American priests in academe do their doctorates). In evangelical circles, there has been a move over the past few years from the Th.D. to the Ph.D. (at schools such as Dallas Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary), but no significant change in curriculum - both are research degrees. Finally, both main line and evangelical seminaries offer the D.Min., a 30-semester professional (as opposed to academic) doctorate which has a significant final project or product instead of a dissertation (which the other three have), and which can vary in quality and curriculum from school to school.
Actually, many D.Min. programs are 36 semester hours, as was the SACS and ATS seminary I attended. Some also have a major project and a dissertation, as did mine. The dissertation (120 pages) focused on the implementation and completion of the project. About one third was academic in nature, i.e., providing the historical and biblical foundation for the project, with two thirds focusing on the more practical aspects of the project. The dissertation was guided by a doctoral committee, along with one outside reader. And, as Steve notes, D.Min. programs vary in quality and curriculum from school to school, as do Ph.D., Th.D., S.T.D., and all other degree programs. Russell
The standard ATS requirement to enter a D.Min. program is that one hold the M.Div., which is, on the average, about 90 semester hours (88-96). Upon completion of the D.Min., this would be about 120-130 semester hours of graduate level work. To enter a Ph.D. program, the MA will qualify, and in some instances one may enter a Ph.D. with an undergrad degree, earning a masters in the process. If the Ph.D. is 60-70 semester hours (I saw one recently which was 66), along with a 30-40 hour masters, the total hours would total 110-120. This of course would vary from school to school. Given the 90 hour prerequisite of the M.Div. to enter the D.Min., the total graduate level semester hours for both the Ph.D. and D.Min., on the average, would be 100-130. Again, this would vary per school. Also, some RA seminaries will allow 2% of the D.Min. students to enroll with only the MA, if other factors warrant such, e.g., C.P.E. experience, etc. Russell
Thanks for the clarification Russell. It wasn't my intention to demean the D.Min. degree, I just honestly had no idea what the requirements entailed. Bruce
Actually, as of 1.5 years ago, during a meeting with representatives of senior faculty from Yale at the national meeting of my church - Yale is only considering adding a Th.D. (I would be surprised if it has already been added that quickly, especially as there has been an interim Dean.) At Yale Divinity School, only MAR, MDiv and STM degrees are offered. The doctorate is offered through the Department of Religion of the Graduate School and is a PhD. There are a number of faculty with dual appointments. The Divinity School (at least at that meeting and with interest by the relevant faculty) were considering the possibility of begining to offer a ThD in the area of liturgy and aimed at those in professional practice. The goal was to combine the practical of the DMin with academic rigor of a PhD, and to use a different doctoral name so as to not ruffle the feathers of the Religious Studies Department. The thought was that coursework might be done during a sabbatical or on a part-time basis with a significant nonresidential component. I have heard no more of it since (at last year's national meeting the dean confused the dates and did not show). Christopher
Speaking of the D.Min. Here is a program from St. Stephen's (University of Alberta) that is a 60 credit hour D.Min. (includes Methodology courses and dissertation). No credit is given for the dissertation. This is on top of 90 graduate credit hours for the M.Div. http://www.ualberta.ca/ST.STEPHENS/sc2-dmin.htm There is sometimes more that goes into the obtaining of a D.Min than a Ph.D. I have seen a Ph.D. program with as little as 40 credit hours. I believe that Touro University International's Ph.D. in Health Sciences is 40 credit hours. So, 40 credit hours on top of a 36 credit hour M.A. equals 76 graduate credit hours. Compare that with someone with the M.Div. & D.Min (in this case 150 graduate credit hours). Plus the guy with the M.Div. probabaly had to learn New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew and have been in a professional position for a certain amount of time to gain entry to the D.Min. program. North
Incidentally, an Episcopal priest I know received a D.D. (which is honorary). He joked (I'm sure it was not original with him) that this stood for "Donated Dignity". I believe I have seen a lot of Bishops with the D.D. I suppose it give them a better sounding title "The Most Reverend Dr. Fitzhughmortonhaversham III". I also knew an E4 (enlisted in the military) who told us that if we wished to write to him after training he would give us his civilian title as well as military. It was the Reverend Dr. XXXX. As he did not even have an undergraduate degree I was curious about where he got his D.D. He without blushing said it was awarded by some kind of "community church". They apparently donated some dignity to him and he proudly wore it. North
Not sure about the rigour of DMin programs, but you might just be confusing quantity and quality. I can count the number of real courses I took for my PhD on one hand and most of those where just to prepare for my 4 day qualifying exam. Similarly I know people with British PhDs who took no courses for the PhD. The courses in any good PhD program are just not that important. The dissertation is the only thing that really matters. Here too it's easy to confuse quality and quantity. I know of plenty of good, rigourous PhD dissertations under 70 pages (most of them in Math) and a number of really bad ones in multiple hundreds of pages (usually unfocused, rambling, and in dire need of an editor). Credits are just a rough measure based on contact hours, a measure which means less and less the higher up the ladder you go. When I was in grad school the mantra was to get to research as fast as possible. The means to this was to adopt, much as distance ed has in general, an assesment based model for advancement. Loosely put if you could pass 4 days of exams, an oral exam in two areas of your field (one your intended research area, one not) and write a credible reseach proposal, you could go off and do research. No one really cared if you took a single class* -me * this did change for students entering some years after me, mostly in a bid to get everyone's FTEs up.
Absolutely. As was mentioned here the actual quality of D.Min programs (I suppose like Ph.D. programs) varies from school to school. Steve levicoff's mentioned one on AED which I believe was told to tone down their D.Min program because it had become rigorous enough to rival Ph.D. programs. I mentioned the St. Stephen's program because it was out of the norm. Most of the D.Min. programs I have seen are 33 credit hours with a project. Some like LRS's structured more to practical ministry areas. There seems to be more of a trend to course work so that one can obtain a Doctorate (D.Min.) in Pastoral Counseling; Christian Ed; Christian Leadership studies. ORU has an Executive D.Min. aimed at individuals in management positions within ministry. I am assuming that you are not from the States based on the doctorate you mention. Here we have gone "hog wild" with doctoral mania. It probably started with the lawyers who now earn J.D.'s for a first professional degree (really more of an M.A.). Whereas is Canada the lawyer would earn a LLB (?). I think the same thing has happened to pharmacists who now also earn a doctorate (I believe in Canada this is still an undergraduate degree - I could be wrong). While I agree the rigour of the work is extremely important, I also believe there is something valuable in the process that goes on in the US with the combination of advanced course work and the dissertation. Course work provides background & perspective and as Steve Levicoff has said the interactive aspect with other students is important. Now, I do not fully understand the Research Doctorate but that seems to be the norm in Great Britain. I think I might have more fun with your system.
Just to be clear, I am in the states. Did my PhD at a state university on the east coast. I live on the west coast now. -me (If you search on my name you could likely figure out who I am)
