DOCTOR OF MISSIOLOGY (DMiss)

Purpose

The Doctor of Missiology programme involves a study of concepts, issues, and theory and practice pertaining to the field of Missiology. While the D.Min. (Missiology) is a practitioner degree, and the course work studies the mission practice of the Church by surveying fields, and collecting data from the field on the basis of which conclusions are arrived at, in D.Miss. study principles and theory for mission practice are evolved from successful missionary endeavours. These are tested against the Word for Christian authenticity, and those that pass the test are added to the field of Biblical Missiology.The course, however, is not as strenuous and extensive as the Ph.D. in Missiology. It should improve the theoretical, practical and analytical skills of mission leaders and practitioners who sit on a mine of information from their experience in missions, but do not yet have the skill or time to build valuable theory out of what they know and have experienced.

The Church in Asia is growing rapidly amidst people of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. The Doctor of Missiology will add to the field of Missiology new concepts, practice, principles and theory that will be put in academic language hopefully for the first time by our successful D.Miss. candidates. The need for missiological research is great, given that

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold an M.Th. of at least high second-class standing. (Those wanting to apply with a B.D. or M.Div. as their highest previous degree will first be required to complete an M.Th. prior to applying for the D.Miss.)
Applicants must possess a high level of competency in oral, aural, and written English.

In particular, applicants must submit a letter of sponsorship by a sponsoring body, such as an established Church, ministry organisation, or educational institution. The letter must indicate that the student will be accountable to the sponsoring body for the duration of their studies, and that this body is committed to underwrite the financial cost of the student’s studies Applicants must sign the “Termination of Studies Agreement”

Language Requirements. Competency will be required in one or more research languages, it is highly recommended that students undertake extensive language study prior to arriving at SAIACS. Students claiming ability to read languages required for their research will be tested on arrival at SAIACS. PDP requirements will be re-evaluated in the light of the test results and may be extended by the necessary time required to fulfil the language-requirement. Language requirement will be determined by the concerned department in consultation with the Academic Dean.

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Coursework Requirements

The degree requires nine months of modular studies in residence at SAIACS. All candidates must attend the first module “Research & Writing Methods” in June, and the Field Research module. The mentor will advise the candidate on appropriate modules to undertake in the M.Th. (Missiology) courses, which will, however, be graded at D.Miss. standard with additional course requirements. Candidates must start thinking about probable research topics from the time they apply for admission, so that they can meaningfully discuss the viability of their pursuit with their mentor/s in June.

Once a topic is approved by the mentor and faculty, candidates are required to work on their proposal with limited assistance from mentors, with the view to submitting the proposal to the faculty by November of the first year. For the thesis project (55-65,000 words) candidates can reside up to six months at SAIACS for library centred research to complete their thesis in the final year of their study programme. The candidate will be in regular contact with the mentor by submitting quarterly progress report over the three year period as s/he works on the dissertation. Candidates will be allowed to graduate only on successful completion of course-work requirements and the dissertation.

Residency

All outstation students must be resident on campus for modular study. Students will be permitted to bring their families on campus only if their modular study would require them to stay on campus for six months or more at one time, and for stay on campus for the entire six months of the third year for thesis work.

Duration

Normally the D.Miss. programme takes three years but the candidate is allowed upto five years to complete the program with paying of continuation fee of Rs. 5000 per year.

Degree Requirements

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For more information download Prospectus 2008-09

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Site updated: February 5, 2008