Teaching with a DMin. Degree

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Michael, Apr 20, 2004.

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  1. Michael

    Michael Member

    Would a Doctor of Ministry degree serve as a teaching credential?
     
  2. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    If you mean in the usual usage of the term "teaching credential" as preparing one to teach publich school, no.

    If you mean as a qualification to teach at the university or seminary level, the answer is an unqualified "maybe." I've certainly seen people do so, but I think in most areas of theology, ministry, etc. it's a harder row to hoe. Most commonly, people will expect you to have the PhD. However, I've certainly seen people in Preaching, Pastoral Counseling, and the like, get teaching positions with only the DMin.




    Tom Nixon
     
  3. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

    Certain individuals here get upciteable when DMins teach theology at too high a level. There is no reason to believe that the degree wouldn't be valuable for teaching all undergrads plus grad students in their area of specialty.
     
  4. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    DMins are not ( by accredited schools) awarded at all in Bible/**Theology.


    DMins regularly do teach pastoral theology or practical studies at any level, but such do not generally teach Bible or Theology at accredited schools at the grad level. I'd be happy to see evidence to the contrary.

    This is the standard practice of the schools, not just the opining of "...certain individuals here"!

    :rolleyes:



    **ie is Systematic or Historical Theology.
     
  5. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    I agree with Dennis. A DMin would be qualified, it seems, to teach students at the undergrad or MDiv level (or MRE, MRS, etc.): that is, undergrad or lower practical-graduate degrees.

    It would seem also that a DMin could also teach DMin level students, since he/she holds the degree inquestion.

    I'd be dubious about DMins teaching academic-graduate theology degrees; the mere title "Doctor" would not make up for the absence of the kind of study in one's own life that one would be supervising in others.
     
  6. Michael

    Michael Member

    Could one teach in a secular college/university Dept. of Religion with a DMIn.?
     
  7. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Pretty unlikely, especially if the sequence of degrees did not include an academic master's (MA, American ThM). Since there's scarcely a shortage of would-be religion/theology profs, I'm not sure why a secular university would settle for less than a PhD. Perhaps a community college would hire according to different rules? (BTW, had I gone into college teaching permanently, a community college would have been my preferred venue.)
     
  8. Michael

    Michael Member

    unc,

    Why would you have preferred to teach at a community college?
     
  9. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Less publish or perish pressure and I like the mission and purpose of the community college. I would never leave parish work, but should I ever finish a doctorate, I might look into some part-time CC teaching. When I was working on my failed doctorate, it was with a view to teaching. I never had the idea that teaching was the stuff you "had" to do in order to do research which is what was really worthwhile. This is also why I carry a torch for the DA degree.

    Best wishes to you.
     

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