Aquinas: D.Min. in Preaching Details

D.Min. in Preaching Details

The details below may be useful for preachers discerning application to Aquinas Institute's DMin in Preaching program:

DMin Cohort 2008 Calendar & Course Descriptions
*Summer 2008*
Orientation to the DMin Program (no credits)
Dates:	June 1-August 5, 2008
Intensive in St. Louis:	July 7-9, 2008
The purpose of the orientation summer is to prepare student to fully engage and enjoy their study in the DMin program with as few obstacles as possible.
*Fall 2008*
STH-D603 Theology of Preaching (3 credits)
Dates:	August 10 - December 10, 2008
Intensive in St. Louis:	September 28 - October 3, 2008
Students work toward submitting a term paper that describes their operative theology of preaching from an advanced understanding of biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral disciplines. This paper includes a treatment of anthropology, theology, and Christology in terms of the theological spectrum of dialogical to sacramental imagination. Students also are expected to demonstrate deepened theological awareness of the preaching act.
*Spring 2009*
BIB-D601 Biblical Hermeneutics and Preaching (3 credits)
Dates:	January 5 - May 5, 2009
Intensive in St. Louis:	March 8-13, 2009
This seminar provides an introduction and analysis of historical criticism (historical-critical and social scientific methods), literary criticism (narrative and rhetorical methods), and contemporary reader-response criticism (liberationist and feminist methods) as these methods have been utilized in the church and the academy. Students create several homiletic case studies to illustrate the integral relationship between biblical hermeneutics and preaching.
*Summer 2009*
No courses or electives scheduled
*Fall 2009*
HOM-D605 Core Homiletic Seminar I (3 credits)
Dates:	August 10 - December 10, 2009
Intensive in St. Louis:	September 27-October 2, 2009
Core Homiletics Seminar I offers students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with significant academic and ecclesial literature regarding the practice of preaching and to integrate new learning into their own preaching. The content of this first seminar is guided by the question: What is good preaching and how can we practice it consistently? Students will prepare and present three case studies of their preaching with their local congregation. They will also begin to ask questions about challenges they encounter in preaching and possible ways of addressing these challenges, with an eye toward their final D.Min. thesis project.
*Spring 2010*
HST-D602 History and Preaching (3 credits)
Dates:	January 15 - May 15, 2010
Intensive in St. Louis:	March 7-12, 2010
Students take a journey through the history of preaching from the biblical age to the present, exploring representative homilies, sermons, and the preachers who proclaimed them. The study is designed to examine the enduring and variable dimensions of preaching from era to era, with a view to a more enlightened comprehension of contemporary preaching experience.
*Summer 2010*
Elective Course I (3 credits) or Summer break (see below for further details on elective courses)
*Fall 2010*
LIT-D604 Liturgy and Preaching (3 credits)
Dates:	August 10 - December 10, 2010
Intensive in St. Louis:	September 26-October 1, 2010
The Liturgy and Preaching course explores the meaning of scriptural proclamation and preaching as ritual/liturgical action and considers the sacramentality of the preaching act. It encourages students to look at the relationship of preaching to the liturgy and enter into an in-depth analysis of liturgical rites from the viewpoint of liturgical preaching. In addition, the course will examine the various lectionaries in use and consider their influence on the preaching act; how language impacts preaching; and how the liturgical year shapes effective preaching.
*Spring 2011*
HOM-D606 Core Homiletic Seminar II (3 credits) with DMR-D698 Thesis Project Research Seminar (0 credits)
Dates:	January 15 - May 15, 2011
Intensive in St. Louis:	Intensive in St. Louis: March 6-18, 2011 (note: two weeks)
In Core Homiletics Seminar II, students continue to explore significant academic and ecclesial literature regarding the practice of preaching and to integrate new learning into their own preaching. Two to three extensive preaching case studies are prepared by each student. Course reading is determined to address the particular needs and interests of the current cohort. Topics may include: preaching on social and moral issues; women's issues in preaching; preaching in culturally diverse contexts; doctrinal preaching; and/or the spirituality of the preacher. Concurrent with the Core Homiletics Seminar II, students participate in a non-credit seminar that addresses the goal and formulation of the DMin thesis project. Students review the DMin style sheet and methods of qualitative research. Students work with DMin faculty and an assigned thesis advisor who will guide them toward an initial draft of their final thesis proposal (approximately 10 pages) due at the end of the semester.
*Summer 2011*
Elective Course I or II (3 credits) or summer break (see below for further details on electives course work)
*Fall 2011*
After completing the core courses, students have till October 1, 2014 to complete the following steps: complete Elective Course I & II if not already completed work with thesis advisor to submit final thesis proposal to the DMin committee register for six credits of Thesis Research while completing the thesis project in collaboration with thesis advisor and reader submit a completed thesis project to the DMin director with the signature of the thesis advisor and comments of the thesis reader Depending on the student's time commitment and motivation, graduation from the program could take place as early as Spring 2012 or as late as Fall 2014. Extensions are granted only in rare occasions and, if granted, only for up to one additional year.

Depending on the student's time commitment and motivation, graduation from the program could take place as early as Spring 2012 or as late as Fall 2014. Extensions are granted only in rare occasions and, if granted, only for up to one additional year.

Elective Course Work

As part of their thirty credit hours of academic course work, students are required to complete two electives - three credit hours each. These electives should be carefully designed in collaboration with the student's academic advisor and/or the DMin program director to assure that they will serve the student well in preparation for the student's thesis project.

Discussion about the design of electives will be introduced at the end of Homiletic Core Seminar I when students are offered the opportunity to identify a problem or opportunity in the field of preaching that they are interested in researching further. Electives provide a possibility for academic research and survey of current literature in this area of interest in anticipation of field work in the area as part of the thesis project itself. Students are encouraged to consider interdisciplinary electives outside the discipline of homiletics proper, but disciplines that have wisdom to inform preaching (eg. Communications theory, rhetoric, systematic theology, literature, biblical study, sacramental theology, sociology, anthropology, science, etc.).

Typical elective courses tend to fall in one of two categories: courses through other accredited institutions and independent studies.

Considerations when Applying for the D.Min. Program

Dedicated Study Time: Although this program allows candidates to complete their studies in the midst of full-time ministry, it is important to note that the time demands of this academically rigorous doctoral study are significant. Participants are to set aside approximately one day per week (or about 8-10 hrs./wk.) to study during the full course of the program. Additionally, participation in all St. Louis intensive seminars is required for the program. Applicants are asked to discuss these demands upon their time with their families or communities and with their sponsors or supervisors and colleagues in ministry at the time of application.

Computer and Internet Access: Since the program is internet-based, all participants must have sufficient equipment and computer skills to complete the online portion of the courses. This means, at a minimum, that you have a multimedia PC or Macintosh computer, internet access (a dedicated line is strongly recommended) and solid familiarity with the use of an internet browser (we recommend the free Firefox browser) and Microsoft Word.

Required Software: All participants are required to employ a recent version of Microsoft Word. For mutual protection against the hazard of receiving computer viruses over the internet, each student is also required to maintain an up-to-date anti-virus subscription service, as available from www.symantec.com or www.mcafee.com. Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free, is also required.

Library Resources: Aquinas Institute students have full access to the materials and services of the Divinity Library and the general collection of Pius XII Memorial Library of Saint Louis University, two blocks from Aquinas Institute. Each student is assigned a Saint Louis University identification card and internet username and password for purposes of accessing the services of Pius XII Memorial Library. Aquinas Institute also maintains a small reference library with a special section on homiletics. D.Min. students are required also to arrange library privileges in a local or regional theological library convenient to their place of study.

Financial Planning

The following estimates for D.Min. Cohort 2008 are based on a thirty-credit program. Annual tuition increases are linked to the inflation rate. This estimated tuition schedule is based on the 2007-2008 tuition rate of $651 per credit hour per and assumes a 3 percent annual increase. An annual Aquinas Institute technology fee applies. Travel, room and board, textbook, and elective tuition figures all are listed only as tentative estimates. Clearly, travel expense is subject to fares and distance. Computer costs and internet access fees are not listed but are understood to be the student's responsibility.

Year I (Summer 2008 - Spring 2009) - $6,386
Item	Cost (in $US)
Tuition: 6 core credits @ $651/cr.	$3,906 (minus $500 deposit)
Travel: 3 trips to St. Louis @ $250/trip	$750
Room & Board: 13 nights @ $80/night (includes July orientation)	$1,040
Books: 2 courses @ $150/course	$300
Student Services Fee	$390

Year II (Summer 2009 - Spring 2010) - $6,010
Item	Cost (in $US)
Tuition: 6 core credits @ $670/cr.	$4,020
Travel: 2 trips to St. Louis @ $250/trip	$500
Room & Board: 10 nights @ $80/night	$800
Books: 2 courses @ $150/course	$300
Student Services Fee	$390

Year III (Summer 2010 - Spring 2011) - $8,760
Item	Cost (in $US)
Tuition: 3 elective credits @ $690/cr.	$2,070
Tuition: 6 core credits @ $690/cr.	$4,140
Room & Board: 17 nights @ $80/night (note longer intensive for Core Sem II)	$1,360
Travel: 2 trips to St. Louis @ $250/trip	$500
Books: 2 courses @ $150/course	$300
Student ServicesFee	$390

Year IV (Summer 2011 - Spring 2012) - $6,390
Item	Cost (in $US)
Tuition: 3 elective credits @ $710/cr.	$2,130
Tuition: 6 credits of Thesis Project direction @ $710/cr	$4,260

Graduation - $1,239
Item	Cost (in $US)
Travel, room and board for thesis presentation	$500
Travel, room and board for commencement	$500
Graduation Fee	$239

Total Program Estimated Cost: $28,785

Financial Aid: Limited financial aid is available. Some students are able to share costs or seek reimbursement for tuition from congregations or other church bodies. Application for financial aid is made in consultation with the Director of Admissions.

"I would highly recommend the DMin in Preaching program at Aquinas Institute of Theology to any preacher. I have come to consider it simply indispensable to my present ministry as pastor in a large, bi-lingual community. Where I have found the Aquinas program especially helpful is in the area of the theology of preaching. Contrary to what some have thought, the present crisis in preaching is not due to an inability to communicate the message. Here I find that the great majority of preachers are gifted and well-prepared for ministry. Where we desperately need help is in becoming "resident theologians" for the communities in which we preach. While the Aquinas program does not neglect the development of better communication skills, it is especially helpful in fostering within the preacher a profoundly theological approach to the homiletic task. Aquinas equips the preacher with the proper tools for the task of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ within the challenging context of twenty-first century Church life in the United States."

"Perhaps the greatest gift of the D.Min. in preaching for me has been greater confidence as I approach the awesome responsibility of preparing messages for Sundays and other important times in the life of the congregation and its members. As I recall the time I spent as a member of the first cohort that began together in 2000, I enjoyed the combination of studying on our own and gathering for seminars in St. Louis. I also appreciated the colleagueship and friendships that developed among faculty and students. We discovered many different resources for preaching biblically and we expanded our knowledge base in theology, liturgy, history and scripture by focusing coursework in these areas on the task of preaching."

Audrey Borschel
Author
Preaching When the News Disturbs: Media Literacy for Preachers, Chalice Press

"Clearly there is a hunger for the Word of God in today's Church. In ministerial activities I consistently hear men and women of faith asking for preaching that is relevant, biblical, and doctrinally sound, while still being imaginative, insightful, and challenging. My studies at Aquinas with peers and scholars, all who shared a similar passion for the Word of God provided those foundations in a supportive learning context. The various courses and all the elements that comprised the learning community at Aquinas furthered my development not only as a preacher but also now as a teacher of homiletics."

Fr. Ray John Marek, OMI
Assistant Professor of Homiletics
Oblate School of Theology

"Using my thesis on the preaching of apocalyptic literature as a basis, I worked with Paulist Press to publish a book in 2005 - Unmasking Apocalyptic Texts: A Guide to Preaching and Teaching This book has opened up many new ventures for me giving workshops in parishes that address things like the Rapture and the Left Behind Series about which people are quite confused; speaking at conferences like the Southwest Liturgical Conference and the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference; teaching workshops to deacons; teaching at our annual homiletics seminar; and writing pieces for online news agencies. The opportunities are limitless and I am excited about the future all because of a Doctor of Ministry in preaching degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology."

Sr. Dorothy Jonaitis, OP
Catholic Biblical School Faculty
University of Dallas School of Ministry