DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (D.Min.)
The New Seminary, the oldest Interfaith Seminary in the world with religious and spiritual instruction dating back to 1979, has elected to expand its current graduate curriculum consisting of a Masters in Theological Studies (MTS) by now offering a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Program.
Course Details
Why Become a Doctor of Ministry?
Our D.Min. Program was developed primarily for Interfaith Ministers who wish to further their study, as well as for clergy who want to deepen their inquiry and understanding of contemporary interfaith. In addition, our goal is to provide students with the skills and training necessary to analyze and reflect upon their ministries, pastoral identity, and spiritual practices as they relate to theological and scriptural study across religious and indigenous spiritual traditions.
Is the D.Min Program Right For Me?
The D.Min. Curriculum is designed for experienced clergy—ministers who have received Masters of Divinity, Masters of Theological Studies, or Masters of the Arts or Sciences degrees and who have from three to five years of experience in active interfaith ministry. Occasionally, The New Seminary may admit an ordained minister who has only completed an undergraduate degree and shows unusual promise for graduate studies in interfaith education. In such an instance, 60-course hours would be required, as a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree would be granted en route to the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree. Exemptions can also be made for individuals who have performed exemplary dedication and work in service to others and building community. These individuals are looked at from a holistic perspective and a special program is designed for them.
Learning Paths
The New Seminary Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) Program offers five tracks:
Music, Art, and Faith:
Rev. Dr. Samora Smith, Assoc. Dir. (Supervising Faculty)
What are the spiritual benefits of working with sound and art? How are they sacred and build community. These and other questions will be explored in this track. Students will also learn how to organize and conduct music for an Interfaith service that might well include Christian hymns, gospel, African Drumming, chanting, etc. This TNS D.Min. Track will explore music, art and mixed media in an interfaith context across cultures and musical traditions.
Interfaith Theology and Practice Across Spiritual Traditions:
Rev. Dr. Jay Speights, Executive Director (Supervising Faculty)
The TNS D.Min. Track in Interfaith Study and Practice purports to investigate the relationship between theology and practice across spiritual traditions. The track will explore the so-called Inner Traditions in their home cultures in India, Japan, Africa, the Americas and Tibet. Interfaith Theology and Studies in meditation, contemplative prayer, and the embodied arts are also included in this track.
Interfaith Engagement, Dialogue, Empowerment and Sacred Activism:
Rev. Dr. Jay Speights, Executive Director (Supervising Faculty)
The history of revolution in the 20th century is intimately linked to the expansion of the world’s religions. Likewise, 20th century political activism served to wake people up long before it was known as “sacred activism” in the 21st century. This track intends to delve into the thought of Mahatma Gandhi, His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Martin Luther King, Jr., Joanna Macy, Howard Thurman, Paul Tillich, and other visionary figures for purposes of empowering interfaith ministers to engage more effectively with the critical issues of our times.
Practical Dimensions of Interfaith Ministry and Leadership:
Rev. Dr. Jay Speights, Executive Director (Supervising Faculty)
Some clergy seem born to lead—to run conferences, serve as bishops, and lead other ministers as well as their own congregations and sanghas. As Interfaith Studies becomes more of an official partner in the discipline of religious studies, it will be increasingly important for interfaith ministers to know how to stand their ground confidently in the very large arena of the world’s religions. The Practical Dimensions of the TNS D.Min. Program is a “nuts and bolts” track designed to train ministers in how to set up individually tailored spiritual communities and to lead more effectively in terms of people and finances. The how-to-do-it concerns of interfaith administration and organization are the major concerns of this track.
Individually-Crafted Tracks in Consultation with TNS Grad. Faculty:
Rev. Dr. Samora Smith, Assoc. Dir. (Supervising Faculty)
Individually crafted programs should take the form of long standing interests, which doctoral students cannot thoroughly engage in one of the four established D.Min. Tracks. Examples might include: Cosmology and Science, the History of Consciousness, Psychology and Religion, or Religion and Sexuality. Other individually crafted programs might combine two of the existing tracks as in a dialogue between the Inner Traditions of Interfaith Theology and Practice and the Sacred Activism of Engagement and Empowerment. Students who wish to craft their own D.Min. Programs may do so by submitting a three-page proposal to Dr. Jay Speights.
Requisites
Basic Requirements:
If you have a MA, 30 credit hours over three years are required for completion of the TNS Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. The courses may take place online and/or in retreat settings. Transfer courses at the graduate level may be submitted for consideration, but no more than 9 hours may count toward the degree.
Regular online and or telephone consultations with faculty advisers are expected. Students should also meet in study groups. One retreat yearly and two intensives are required of D.Min. Students. A final project equivalent to a doctoral dissertation is required.
Requisites
Basic Curriculum & Credit Hours
Year One
- Survey of World Religions Subject Area (6.0)
- Intro to Interfaith Dialogue (3.0)
- 3 Electives in Major Track (2.0)
- Fall Intensive (1.5)
- Spring Intensive (1.5)
- Year End Retreat (2.0)
- Service Project (1.5)
- Pastoral Formation (3.0)
Year Two
- Interfaith Ritual & Manual (3.0)
- Pastoral Formation (3.0)
- Interfaith Dialogue (3.0)
- 3 Electives in Major Track (1.5 Each)
- Clinical Pastoral Education (400 per Unit)
Year Three
- Faculty Supervision (6.0)
- Project/Dissertation (9.0)
Additional D.Min. Course Offerings
- Global Poverty & Theology
- Howard Thurman: Mysticism & Interfaith
- The LBGTQ Community: Faith, Ministry & Race and Beyond Inclusion
- Changing Your Narrative
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
- Interfaith Dialogue & Building Community
- Sacred Music
- Inner traditions of the East and West
- New Ecumenism
Contact Us
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Jay Speights
info@thenewseminary.com
1-914-429-3876
NOTE: THE NEW SEMINARY IS A RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OFFERING RELIGIOUS DEGREES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA APPROVED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.