DOCTOR OF MINISTRY – EXIT POINT AND REVIEWED
GRADE DESCRIPTORS
EXIT POINT
Under the new Doctor of Ministry regulations, for a DMin candidate to proceed to the thesis
phase the candidates is normally required to achieve a Distinction in the two graded first
phase units, MD802 and MD803. While ‘normally’ gives the RRSC some discretion to
review borderline cases, for example if a candidate were to achieve a high Credit in their first
unit and a Distinction in their second unit, there may well be times where a candidate is
clearly not achieving the required level but has nevertheless successfully completed the units.
In such cases the regulations require that the candidature is discontinued. However, no
provision was made to acknowledge the successful completion of work that may have been
achieved by the candidate.
It is therefore recommended that DMin candidates who successfully complete MD801,
MD802 and MD803 but do not achieve an overall 3.0 GPA and are not approved to proceed
to the DMin research phase will be awarded a GradCertMin.
Approved by Research & Research Studies Committee
R&RSC Minutes RC1202-10.1, 17 February 2012.
GRADE POINT DISCRIMINATIONS
THE RATIONALE
Grades need an objective yardstick that is a composite of a finite and workable number of
criteria for clear categorizing of evidences.
Distinction could be made on the basis of four domains.
a. Argumentation: The capacity to sustain a reasoned and coherent argument based on a
depth of reflection.
b. Interaction: Evidence of engagement and appreciation of the appropriate type and
level of scholarly literature of a theological or theoretical kind.
c. Integration: Evidence of the capacity to discern the implications of the data for the
human domain, the field of inquiry or the particular issue being investigated.
d. Contribution: Evidence of fresh insightful or original thinking and the potential for
the conclusion to contribute to current debates or to progress the ‘frontline’ of
knowledge.
MD802 & MD803 GRADE DISCRIMINATIONS
High Distinction: 85%+
a. Penetrating reflection upon and analysis of the topic at the highest level, arguments
presented compellingly with sustained reasoning or evidences.
b. A mature interaction with an exhaustive range of appropriate sources displaying a
thoughtful interpretation and synthesis of the critical ideas and issues.
c. Creative and insightful application of fresh findings to a well framed and challenging
research question or ministry phenomenon.
d. Well-articulated, independent conclusions making an original, publishable
contribution to the study and practice of ministry
Distinction 75-85%
a. Clear Reflection upon and analysis of the topic at advanced levels, arguments clearly
sustained with sustained reasoning or evidences.
b. A skilful interaction with a wide range of appropriately selected sources displaying a
sensitive interpretation and comprehension of critical ideas and issues.
c. Insightful application of fresh findings to a well framed research question or ministry
phenomenon
d. Articulation of insightful conclusions, with the potential to make an original
contribution to the study and practice of ministry
Credit 65-74%
a. Evidence of reflection upon and analysis of the topic with arguments generally
sustained with reasoning or evidences.
b. Clear evidence of interaction with a range of mostly relevant sources displaying an
understanding of the critical ideas and issues.
c. Clear demonstration of the relevance of findings to a particular research question or
ministry phenomenon
d. Articulation of reasoned conclusions, making some if not an original contribution to
the study or practice of ministry
Pass (50-64%)
a. Some evidence of reflection upon and analysis of the topic although arguments could
have been sustained with more compelling reasoning or evidences.
b. Some evidence of interaction with a sample of sources displaying some knowledge of
the critical ideas or issues.
c. Some demonstration of the relevance of findings to a particular research question or
ministry phenomenon.
d. Conclusions derived from informed deductions without the likelihood of making a
contribution to the study or practice of ministry.
Fail (0-49%)
a. Little or a completely inadequate attempt at reflection upon or analysis of the topic
and general lack of coherent argument.
b. An insubstantial range of sources or an inappropriate selection with little
acknowledgement of the key ideas or issues.
c. Inability to demonstrate the relevance of findings or ideas to a particular research
question or ministry phenomenon.
d. Unsubstantiated conclusions or baseless assertions with little or no contribution to the
study or practice of ministry.
Approved by Research & Research Studies Committee
R&RSC Minutes RC1202-10.1, 17 February 2012.
DMIN THESES
The thesis must embody the results of independent scholarship and research. It must show
evidence of originality and independence of thought, posing a new insight into the topic or
formulating an existing issue in a novel and useful way.
Where the special character of the thesis so demands, some additional form of assessment
may be required by the Research Committee.
The thesis must be a work of appropriate literary standard. While assessing what constitutes
“an original contribution to the field of ministry and practice” is no easy matter, nevertheless
one way of gauging whether a candidate’s work meets the criterion is to consider the extent to
which the thesis is publishable.
On the recommendation of the Research Committee, candidates may be given approval to
conduct a piece of research which does not conform to the methodology normally associated
with a thesis at doctoral level. While the thesis must make an original contribution to the
field of ministry and practice and be conducted at the highest level of analytical endeavour, it
may take the form of a creative response to the challenge of ministry in the candidate’s
vocational context. It must be demonstrated that theses of this nature have been completed to
the highest critical standards which apply in the foundational disciplines within which they
are situated, e.g., statistics, music, linguistics.
Examples of the types of projects that might be approved are:
* composing of a body of congregational music or liturgical resources for the use of a
Christian congregation or community to meet a hitherto unrealised need,
* original translation into an indigenous language of biblical books,
* producing original video/audio material enhancing pastoral enterprise,
* a demographic analysis of the candidate’s social or geographic sphere of ministry,
* planning and putting into practice an innovative ministry.
Approved by Research & Research Studies Committee
R&RSC Minutes RC1202-10.1, 17 February 2012.