Dallas Theological Seminary
Request for D.Min. Independent Study Approval
Student's Name: ID # ______
Date: Credit Hours of this Independent Study__3_____
Schedule: During which of the following two periods of time do you wish to pursue this IS? (Fill in the year to indicate your choice.):
April 15, 20 through October 15, 20 (summer D.Min. term)
October 15, 20 through April 15, 20 (winter D.Min. term)
Purpose: Independent Study (IS) is an important component of adult learning in the D.Min. program for it allows the D.Min. student to conduct guided on-site study within the context of his or her ministry. The IS may related to a subject not offered in regular courses or it may integrate with other course work or prepare for the Applied Research Project.
Instructions: (1) Please note that your IS form and registration form, along with payment must be received before the deadline when payment of regular courses is due to avoid payment of the late registration fee of $50.00. (2) Complete one of these sheets for each IS that you propose. Attach an additional sheet of paper if more space is needed. (3) Note that the minimum requirements for all D.Min. independent studies are 60 hours of research and an appropriate report of that research. The form of the report is to be determined by the supervising professor and the student prior to beginning the IS. The D.Min. Committee suggests the following guidelines:
1.The normal range of required hours of research is 90-110, and these hours may be developed through a combination of reading, application, and assessment. Many of these hours may be integrated with regular ministry responsibilities.
2.Assignments of an applied nature are recommended. If a paper is required the paper should not merely describe the research. The paper should interact with the application of the research in the student's ministry toward and enhanced understanding and practice of ministry.
3.Typically, no less than 3000 pages of reading should be required.
4.If the IS purposes to review literature toward further research, such as the D.Min. Applied Research Project, the report of the research should build grounded theory (develop a theoretical basis) for further research.
5.Evidence of integration of the topic with biblical theology is desired for all independent studies.
Learning Contract
The following information constitutes an agreement between the D.Min. students, faculty member, D.Min. Office, and the Registrar's Office for the completion of the IS and granting of credit if completion is satisfactory.
Title: Give a title (five words or less) for the IS:
Description: Describe the subject you wish to study and how it fits your needs, ministry, and goals:
Student/Faculty Contact When and why will you meet/communicate (i.e. email, and/or phone, and/or VOIP and/or in person) with your supervising professor? (If the professor and student are in different locations email communications are acceptable.
Learning Objectives: List what you expect to learn upon successful completion of this IS:
Learning Resources & Strategies: Describe how you will attempt to meet the objectives. If reading is the primary means attach a bibliography approved by the student and professor.
Evaluation: Describe the means for presenting evidence that the learning objectives have been met (assignment to be submitted, etc.).
Approval: Give the name of the resident faculty member who has agreed to advise you in this course. The faculty member must be an Adjunct, Assistant, Associate, or full Professor.
Faculty Signature: ______Date: ______
(In signing, the faculty member agrees to supervise the IS according to the items delineated above.)
D.Min. Director's Signature: ______Date: ______
RETURN THIS SHEET TO THE D.MIN. OFFICE WHEN EVERY ITEM HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE D.MIN. OFFICE WILL CONTACT YOU ABOUT APPROVAL. Rev. 6.25.2014