• Admission Deadline
• Admission Requirements
• Application Instructions
• Advanced Standing in the DMin Program
• Program Requirements
• Admission to Candidacy
• DMin Research Project/Thesis
• Time Period
• Thesis Examination Requirements
• Procedures for Submitting the Thesis, and Copy Requirements
• Comprehensive Exam and Thesis in Years 3 and 4
• Model Program of Studies

Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by May 1st in order to be considered for the following fall term. 

Applicants for admission must hold the MDiv degree or the equivalent of such a degree acceptable as a qualifying graduate degree for a post-degree program accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), with at least an average of B+.  Computer literacy is expected of all WLS students.

Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated experience in service or ministry for three years.  The program is open to students from all faith traditions.  Interviews may be requested. 

For more information on application instructions, please click here.

Students who have successfully completed TH666C, TH664I, TH761E, or TH761F as part of their M.Th. degree at WLS may petition to receive transfer credits in the DMin program for courses, subject to the relinquishing of their M.Th. degree before receiving the DMin degree.  Students may also be required to submit an Individual Learning Plan (for TH666C), a research proposal (for TH664I), or a draft thesis proposal (for TH761F) at the appropriate point in their program, at the discretion of the DMin Director for the Field in Pastoral Leadership (herein after “DMin Director”), after advanced standing for these respective courses has been granted.
Students who have successfully completed TH666C, TH664I, TH761E, or TH761F or their equivalents as part of their masters degree (M.A., M.Div., or M.T.S.) and are presenting their degree as part of an M.Div. equivalent or requirement for admission, may petition to substitute another course in the same area, provided they make arrangements (in the case of TH666C, TH664I, and TH761E) to complete any curriculum-specific goal associated with that course (see Program Outline, p. 6).

Course Work:

Students will be required to take nine courses in the following areas of study:

   1. Required research courses: two half-credit courses
   2. Required pastoral leadership seminars: two half-credit courses
   3. Required courses in adult learning, theological reflection, and integration of theory and praxis: three half-credit courses
   4. Related courses to student research plan: two half-credit electives

Students must receive at least a B grade in each course of their program and must complete all course work with a cumulative Grade Point Average of B+ as well as complete successfully their program as outlined in this handbook to receive their degree.

Comprehensive Exam:

On the basis of the work done in the integration of theory and praxis course, students will develop a proposal for the comprehensive exam on their theology of ministry (see Section Four—Guidelines).  The approval of the DMin Director must be given to advance to the oral examination, the defense of which will constitute the comprehensive oral exam.  The examination committee will normally be composed of the DMin Director, the student’s instructor in the integration of theory and praxis course, and the Principal-Dean of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.  The DMin Director has the discretion to appoint other members of this committee depending on sabbatical leaves or faculty scheduling.

DMin Thesis Proposal:

Upon the successful completion of the Theology of Ministry comprehensive examination, the DMin Director, in consultation with the student and the comprehensive examination committee, will appoint a thesis advisor (who will be a full-time member of the faculty) and two other thesis committee members, subject to the approval of the Principal-Dean.  The thesis director will meet with the student to develop a thesis proposal.  Once the thesis director and student have agreed upon a proposal, they will meet with the full thesis committee so the student may defend their proposal.  Once the entire committee has agreed upon any necessary changes, and any requisite approval by the Research Ethics Committee has been obtained, the student has completed the requirements of the DMin Thesis Proposal stage.

When all course work is completed with a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of B+, the comprehensive exam on the student’s theology of ministry is successfully completed, the DMin Thesis proposal has been approved, acceptance of the research proposal by the Research Ethics Committee has been given (if required), the student will be granted candidacy.

The student will have been encouraged to give thought to the choice of a Research Project during coursework and its subsequent articulation as a Thesis topic from the very beginning of his/her program. This Research Project and subsequent articulation as a Thesis Proposal and Thesis will address an aspect of pastoral ministry based on research related to the student’s ministry interest, utilizing theological insight and using relevant theoretical orientations as integrating perspectives. This means the research project and thesis have three parts: (1) the research project as conceived early in the program; (2) a written thesis based on the project; and (3) an oral examination of the thesis. The research project and eventual thesis shall reflect the student’s ability to think critically and focus clearly on an area of pastoral concern, and utilize research methodology and pastoral resources in such a way that the study constitutes a contribution to professional reflection on the practice of ministry.

The program requires for full-time students two years, to a maximum of three years, of courses and comprehensive exam, with normally another year for completion of the doctoral Thesis. Normally part-time students will require at least one extra year beyond this for the completion of their whole program.  Following admission to candidacy, students have a maximum of six terms for completion of the Thesis while maintaining continuous registration as per Seminary policy.

After the successful completion of the comprehensive examination on the student’s theology of ministry, the DMin Director in consultation with the student and the Comprehensive Examination Committee forms the DMin. Thesis Committee consisting of an advisor who will be a full-time faculty member and two additional members connected with the student’s work, subject to the approval of the Principal-Dean. The Research Project/Thesis Committee will provide critical reflection and evaluation of the DMin thesis research and the preparation of the thesis.

When the thesis has been completed and the candidate’s Thesis Committee recommends it for submission, an Evaluation Committee is formed by the Principal-Dean consisting of the Principal-Dean of the Seminary, the DMin Director, the advisor and another member of the Thesis Committee. In addition the Principal-Dean appoints an external examiner who agrees to read the thesis, to submit a written evaluation at least 10 working days prior to the proposed examination date, and to attend the oral examination. The Wilfrid Laurier University Dean of Graduate Studies or designate will be a member of the Evaluation Committee.

If the Evaluation Committee recommends proceeding, the examination will take place on the proposed date. The oral examination must result in one of four decisions:

   1. Accepted—The candidate passes with no conditions, except for typographical and/or minor editorial changes.

   2. Accepted with Conditions—The candidate passes with minor revisions required.

   3. Decision Deferred—The decision of acceptance is deferred on account of the need for major revisions which requires the same Committee (insofar as possible) to reconvene at a later time to examine the revised thesis.

   4. Rejected—The thesis is rejected and the candidate will be required to withdraw from the DMin program.

For style requirements the student needs to consult the guidelines established by Wilfrid Laurier University and Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. The thesis should follow the standards set out in Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition (Washington: American Psychological Association, 1994).
Students should consult the Seminary’s “Guidelines for DMin Research Project/Thesis” for specific details concerning procedures and requirement

All other coursework must be completed before enrolling in TH740A, Integration of Theory and Praxis, which will prepare the student to write a 30-40 page theology of ministry paper, the defence of which will constitute the comprehensive oral exam.  The approval of the DMin Director must be given to advance to the oral examination.  Following the oral exam, the D.Min. Director, in consultation with the student and the examination committee, appoints an advisor and thesis committee.  Once the student and thesis advisor have refined the thesis proposal, and it is presented to and defended before the thesis committee, the student is admitted to candidacy.  Following admission to candidacy the student will register for TH780B DMin. Thesis until such time as the thesis is completed, but no longer than six successive terms.

To apply to this program, click here.