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MIDCOURSE DISSERTATION PROPOSAL (400 points– through the Assignment Tool)
This Midcourse Reflective Exercise involves writing a first draft of your ministry project proposal
(Chapter 1). Many students are undecided on dissertation topics. This exercise is designed to force this
issue. Make a decision. Learn the process. Change later, if necessary. Students should obtain a copy of
Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th Ed.). Write the draft
proposal along the guidelines found in Turabian as well as the sample pages and information conveyed
in the DCOR 700 Course Modules in Blackboard. Use the proposal template supplied in Module 2 in
Blackboard. It contains the latest Turabian formatting, and Regent D.Min. program approved front
matter, dissertation body sections, and other formatting features. Suggestions: A good way to begin
thinking of this assignment is to identify issues, needs and problems in your context of ministry that
need improvement, solutions, and so on. What area are you most passionate about, or bothers you the
most in ministry, that is in need of change? Expand the selected topic into a workable ministry project
or action plan.
▪ Dissertation Topic: Select a topic of interest that seems to be a reoccurring theme in your life,
and or ministry for the dissertation topic:
o Psalm 139 describes the level of detail that God knows about our life. He has
sovereignly sent people, circumstances, experiences, learning opportunities and
countless other things your way throughout your lifetime. What themes or threads run
through your life that may indicate your life focus?
o Isa 46:9, 10 clearly says that God, like a master architect, knows “the end from the
beginning.” He can look ahead to the end of your life, and execute a master plan for
you to be who He wants you to be on the last day of your life. What do you look like
then? What have you accomplished? Where was your life heading all these years?
What themes or streams seem to carry your toward that destination? How is God
directing the flow of this dissertation work and the Doctor of Ministry experience?
o What things in ministry give you the most joy? The most sorrow? What things “push
your buttons,” igniting a passion for you to consider in ministry? Are there themes that
have existed throughout your life? Is life’s direction pointing a certain way right now?
o What problem seems to be a theme in your life and/or ministry, that needs to be
solved? Keys to this theme’s identity are joys, pains, sorrows, past ministry
involvement, areas of passion.
o Narrow the subject down significantly! You will be spending considerable time on this
topic and living with it for several years! Be careful to avoid general topics – select a
particular geographical location, limit it to a particular group in a particular place.
Narrow the subject you chose down as far as you can – this will be an ongoing process
throughout your dissertation work!
▪ Dissertation Proposal: Access the Dissertation templates in Module 2, Blackboard. Pay close
attention to the reading and the lecture associated with this module. Construct a proposal for
Chapter One, according to the pattern you see in Module 4.
o Construct Front Matter for your proposal, according to the pattern laid out in Module 2,
such as a Title page, Copyright page, Signature page, Epitaph page, Acknowledgement
page, etc.
o Construct an Abstract in the Front Matter of your proposal that summarizes the
Statement of the Problem in a one-sentence question (see below), the reason your are
doing the project, the theory that informs your project, the expected results and
contribution from you project
o Construct a Table of Contents in the Front Matter of your proposal with suggested
outline and headings/subheadings, without page numbers.
o Write a clear Overview section that introduces the reader to the context of your
dissertation project and describes in summary form what the reader should expect to
encounter as they read through your proposal.
o Write a clear and concise Statement of the Problem you are addressing in the proposal
for your dissertation, which clearly identifies in a one-sentence question what problem
you are attempting to address.
o Write a clear and concise Rationale for Doing the Project section that lays out the
reasons that compel you to solve this particular problem. This can have a body of text
and possibly a numbered summary afterwards.
o Narrow down your chosen research topic as far as possible, considering a particular
group, location, or paradigm for the study. Write a Limitations and Assumptions
section that highlights these limits and attempts to tell the reader what you are NOT
intending to address in the dissertation. Narrow, Narrow, Narrow!
o Construct a section entitled “Summary of the Literature” that includes some clearly
identified sources that you might use to solve the problem that your dissertation is
focused on. Every dissertation must be based on literature-based research that lays
down a theoretical approach to solving the problem you are focusing on. Aims to
identify the top sources in your field of focus, and distill the key elements they convey
that you will use to construct your intervention.
o Write a section entitled “Biblical, Theological and Historical Foundations” which
outlines the major biblical, theological, and historical themes and facts that support
your dissertation proposal. This section should detail the most important biblical
passages and data that you intend to use to support your project and intervention, It
should also indicate what theological aspects apply to the themes, principles,
paradigms, and models that support your intervention. Finally, introduce any historical
data that you might use to support your dissertation.
o Consider the methods you may use to measure the results of the ministry project. You
will do the literature review, and already have certain theories, themes, or paradigms in
mind that you feel may address the problem. Write a Methods of Analyzing the
Problem section that describes how you will measure the level of a certain factor,
quantity, or aspect of the project before your intervention, and after, so as to produce a
qualitative and or quantitative result.
o Write a concise Plan for Evaluating the Project section that describes how you might
determine what change your ministry project intervention caused. How will we know
when it is finished? How will we interpret your results? What methodology will you
employ to produce your final conclusions and results for the ministry project?? Include
assessments, personal interviews, and any other evaluation tool used in the project
phase of your work.
o Write a section on Results and Conclusions that you expect to see from your ministry
project. Place them in hypothetical terms, as you would expect to see the results.
o Include a “Summary” section that tells the reader in summary form where your project
is going based on the previous section, summarizing their contents. You are in essence
telling the reader what they just read in summary form.
o Construct an Annotated Bibliography of the sources that you expect to use in your
research on the topics most relevant to your ministry project. Use this area to list the
sources you might use, under certain headings that are important to your dissertation.
These headings might involve the biblical, theological or historical factors that support
your dissertation topic, which will later be part of Chapter Three. They may be the
literature resources that support the key paradigms, principles, theories, or models that
shape your chosen intervention for the ministry project. Please note: Case Studies that
you might intend to include in your dissertation, should be treated as “living references”
and described in this section. Be sure to use a variety of book, journal, periodical,
dissertation, interview, and other sources when informing your dissertation!
o Construct an approximate Dissertation Timeline, using the timeline information
available in the D.Min. Handbook and D.Min. Dissertation Guide (posted under Module
3, Blackboard). This timeline should propose a time for taking your Integrative Exam,
timeline for the literature research and review, project and data collection, results
correlation, writing of the first draft of your dissertation, and submission of first, second,
and third drafts of the dissertation.
▪ Turn in your written assignment through Blackboard. Be ready to consult with me at ANY TIME
during this process. This assignment is a synthetic assignment, and pulls together much of the
material we will be covering this term. It is designed to get you to think about the focus of your
doctoral studies at the earliest stages of your educational experience.
RegentUniversity
Your Title Goes Here and Should be in Bold Font and Unitalicized according
to Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers (8th edit.)
A Dissertation Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Partial Fulfillment of the Degree of
Doctor of Ministry
by
John L. Lambert (name should be bolded)
Virginia Beach, Virginia (your city, your state)
January 2015
Copyright © 2015 by John L. Lambert (Your Name Here)
All rights reserved
School of Divinity
Regent University
This is to certify that the dissertation prepared by:
Student Name
Titled
TITLE OF DISSERTATION IN UPPER CASE AND BOLD
Has been approved by his/her committee as satisfactory completion of
the dissertation requirement of the degree of Doctor of Ministry
Approved By:
Name, Degree, Committee Chair
School of …
Name, Degree, Committee Member
School of…
Name, Degree, Committee Member
School of…
Month Year
i
v
ABSTRACT
The abstract of one paragraph in length is a concise summary of the ministry
project in 150-350 words. The abstract is to be completed last so that it is precise and
cogent.
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This is the page where you may provide an acknowledgement to those who have
been significant to you throughout the dissertation process. Generally the
acknowledgement page is no longer than one page.
[If the author wants to include a listing of abbreviations or a glossary of terms,
this would go on the next page/s with an appropriate heading/s.]
vi
CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …………………………………………………………………………………… v
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT …………………………………………….
1
Overview (Heading 2)………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Statement of the Problem (Heading 2) ………………………………………………………….. 1
Rationale for Doing the Ministry Project……………………………………………………….
2
Limitations and Assumptions ……………………………………………………………………… 2
Summary of the Literature ………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Biblical, Theological, and Historical Foundations ………………………………………….
3
Methods for Analyzing the Problem …………………………………………………………….. 3
Results and Contributions …………………………………………………………………………… 3
Evaluation of the Project …………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Summary …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4
Working Outline and Timeline ……………………………………………………………………. 4
WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………………………
5
This table of contents page is to be formatted so that the page numbers have an automated
update feature. If you have these items to include, they would appear on subsequent
pages after this page in this order: List of Figures, List of Tables,
List of Abbreviations, and Glossary (or Definition of Terms)
1
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT
Overview (Heading 2)
In the Turabian 8th edition, footnotes are in Times New Roman (10 count), and
single spaced at the bottom of the page, with a double-space line between them. The first
line is indented .5 inches. See the first footnote below.1 Also see the second footnote
below.2 In Turabian’s 8th edition the numbers are not hyperscripted (i.e., elevated from
the line). However, for our purposes, we will retain the hyperscripted numbers for
footnotes, unless otherwise indicated.
Statement of the Problem (Heading 2)
The statement of the problem clearly identifies the topic under consideration in as
clear and concise manner as possible. The statement of the problem may also amplify the
issues that surround the problem under consideration. In this section, the statement of the
problem should be developed into a one-sentence question that captures the trust of the
problem that will propel the doctoral project.
Heading 3
Heading 3 is listed here for your information only to show you how the headings
for the dissertation are to be formatted. You will likely not use a Heading 3 under the
Statement of the Problem.
1 Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edit.
(Chicago: University of Chicago, 2013).
2 Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference (Boston: Little,
Brown, 2000), 64-65.
2
Heading 4
Heading 4 is to be flush against the left margin in bold, italicized font. This
Heading 4 is listed here for your reference only and for use, as needed, in this
proposal/dissertation.
Rationale for Doing the Ministry Project
The rationale for undertaking this ministry project is to be clearly stated here. This
section briefly explains to the reader the significance of the study. This section should
answer the questions: (1) why is the researcher interested in this specific topic?, (2) why
is there a need to solve this problem?, (3) who would benefit from this research (i.e., the
church, ministry leadership, other people connected to the issue/s at hand) and why, (4)
what gap in research is your research addressing?
Limitations and Assumptions
In that this doctoral project will not be exhaustive, it will be important to clearly
identify the scope of the research, which should be realistic and doable. The limitations of
the study are to state the boundaries of the project, so that the project is clearly focused.
Further, you are to clearly state the assumptions that undergird the study and how these
assumptions inform the direction of your research project. One assumption of your
project will include that this project will be undertaking from an evangelical perspective
and in consonance with the statements of faith as they appear in the Regent School of
Divinity catalog.
Summary of the Literature
Having a solid grasp of the relevant literature surrounding the ministry question or
topic is vital. Therefore, ongoing reading on the topic and related topics throughout the
3
dissertation process is expected. Read, read, and read! Aim to secure the top resources
and authors who are writing on your topic. Developing a working bibliography as you
encounter resources will save you from having to do it at the very end of writing the
proposal. Recouping these resources later can involve much wasted time.
Biblical, Theological, and Historical Foundations
This section should set the ministry problem, question, or situation within biblical,
theological, and historical contexts. What does the Bible, theology, and Christian history
have to say about your research question or topic? Do some digging and utilize the
strongest resources you can find for this section.
Methods for Analyzing the Problem
Although there may be many ways to solve the problem, the doctoral candidate
needs to indicate which method/s will be utilized by first considering all of the
possibilities. Then a final decision can be made based on these considerations.
Results and Contributions
This section relates your expectations about the results and outcome of the project
regarding benefits and contributions to your specific ministry context.
Evaluation of the Project
In this section, you will include the plan for evaluating the project. Establish
criteria for project evaluation. This section also includes specifics related to use of
surveys, evaluation forms, focus group assessment, personal interviews, and any other
evaluation tools utilized in the project.
4
Summary
This section of no longer than one page provides a summary of what has been
presented previously in 2-3 paragraphs. This summary should be clear and concise so that
the reader sees exactly where the project is going, based upon what the previous sections
have described.
Working Outline and Timeline
This section is included for proposals only and will be omitted for the actual
dissertation. This outline and timeline provides the candidate and the dissertation
committee the opportunity to see how the proposal/chapter 1 will proceed and if this plan
is realistic. As the candidate engages in research for the proposal/chapter 1, the outline
and timeline may change. It is important that the candidate communicates with his/her
dissertation chair when changes to the outline and timeline ensue.
5
WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
Consult the 8th Edition of the Turabian Manual for how to format the bibliography. For
the final dissertation, the word “WORKING” should be deleted. Each
bibliographic inclusion is single-spaced with one line space between entries. The
first line of each entry is left justified, while the lines beneath are indented .5
inches (use the control key plus the “T” key for the indents on line 2 to create the
indent). The bibliography is to be prepared by authors’ last names.
Next bibliography resource to go here.
DCOR700 – D.Min. Orientation:
Module 4
The Dissertation: Chapter One – Understanding the Big Picture
Where Does Chapter One Fit?
Step 1: Chapter One ~ Introduction of the Study
Step 2: Chapter Two ~ Literature Survey
Step 3: Chapter Three ~ Biblical/Theological /Historical
Foundations
Step 4: Chapter Four ~ Description of the Project
Step 5: Chapter Five ~ Results and Conclusions
Understanding Chapter 1 in the Flow of the Dissertation
Step 1: Pose Problem ~ What is Puzzling Me? (Chapter 1)
Step 2: Put in Context ~ Who Else Cares About it? (Chapter 2)
Step 3: Select a Theory ~ Best Way to Handle it? Why? (Chapter 3)
Step 4: Implement an Intervention ~ What Shall I Do? (Chapter 4)
Step 5: Evaluate it ~ Did it Work? How Well? What Next? (Chapter 5)
Analogy: Curing a Sickness
Step 1: Chapter One ~ What is the sickness?
Step 2: Chapter Two ~ Who else has tied to cure it?
Step 3: Chapter Three ~ What makes up your “pill”?
Step 4: Chapter Four ~ Describe the “pill”/give it.
Step 5: Chapter Five ~ What happened to the
sickness?
Analogy: A new Cooking Recipe
Step 1: Chapter One ~ What do you want to cook?
Step 2: Chapter Two ~ Who else has recipes?
Step 3: Chapter Three ~ What are the ingredients?
Step 4: Chapter Four ~ Your exact recipe/cook it.
Step 5: Chapter Five ~ How did the recipe turn out?
Philosophical Foundation
The D.Min. degree is a professional doctorate
The focus is practical problem-solving in your ministry context
The approach is a reasoned research-based approach to problem solving
The outcome is a measurable solution to the problem, resulting transformation and renewal
The result is a research-based reasoned and critical thought paradigm that is learned for problem-solving in ministry needy areas
What is Chapter One?
Introduction to your dissertation
Defines the ministry problem addressed
Clarifies the rationale/reason for doing the project
Places limits on the scope of the dissertation
Articulates the underlying assumptions of the solution
Orients the reader to your methodology for analyzing & solving the problem
Summarizes the results of the project and its unique contribution
Evaluates the effectiveness of your project in solving the ministry problem
Chapter 1 Topic and Focus
Chapter 1 introduces your dissertation, and is therefore all about focus
The topic and focus of your dissertation are not about “what?” but rather about “who?”
You are not selecting a topic, as much as refining who you are and the evidence of God’s focus in your life – that is the direction for your dissertation
Is 46:9, 10: God knows the end from the beginning: What threads, relationships, experiences, ministry directions, pain, joy, or passions suggest an opportunity for life-focus in this dissertation experience?
Chapter 1 Topic and Focus
What/Why?: Based on the unique threads God has woven into your life, what specific problem in ministry will you focus on to provide a solution and why is it worth your time?
Where/When?: Based the past, present, and future contexts for ministry, what specific location (geographic, culture, denominational, etc.) will you choose for implementation of your problem-solving?
How?: Based on your review of literature and experience, what research-based intervention will you introduce to solve the problem and how will your measure the effectiveness of the solution?
The Remainder of this Module
Chapter 1: Structure and nuances
Proposal: Its similarity to Chapter 1 and structure
Front Matter: What does the beginning of the dissertation/proposal look like and how is it formatted
Resources: In this week’s Blackboard module, you will find:
An example of a completed dissertation
Chapter One example
Proposal example
Front Matter Example
Works Cited Example
Copies of the D.Min. Guide & D.Min. Research Guide
Chapter 1 Structure: General
There is a specific structure and format for each of the five chapters in the dissertation. For Chapter 1, the precise format is:
Overview
Statement of the Problem
Rationale for Doing the Project
Limitations and Assumptions
[Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives] (Optional)
[Summary of the Literature] (optional)
Methods of Solving and Analyzing the Problem
Results and Contributions
Evaluation of the Project
Summary
Chapter 1 Structure: Overview
The dissertation is a formal document. As such, every chapter should begin with a short overview, and end with a short summary that orients the reader to the contents of the chapter (see example):
The Overview states what the purpose of the chapter is
It succinctly states what topics will be addressed in the chapter
Chapter 1 Structure: Statement of the Problem
The dissertation is about focus in your professional, personal, and spiritual life. Your depth and precision of focus will largely determine your success with the dissertation.
The Statement of the Problem begins with a one-sentence question that frames the entire dissertation’s focus and direction
This statement will be refined throughout the dissertation process as you become more and more focused
A sharply focused statement of the problem directs what you will research, how you will approach the ministry project as a solution, and what you expect the outcome or results to be.
The Statement of the Problem answers the big questions: What/Where?; Why/When?; How?
The rest of this section elaborates on the problem being solved, why you are attempting to solve it, and why it is important to solve.
Chapter 1 Structure: Rationale for Doing the Project
The “Rationale” section presents a case for why you have chosen to address the specific problem in ministry:
This section introduces the reader to the context for the problem you are addressing
It introduces some of the reasons that make solving the problem important and valuable
It clearly articulates the specific reasons for doing this specific ministry project
It can use bullet points to summarize or introduce the reader to the specific rationale points
It can elaborate on the specific rationale points one-by-one, and in order (firstly, secondly, etc.)
Chapter 1 Structure: Limitations and Assumptions
As mentioned, the whole dissertation is an exercise in focus and distillation. The limitations and assumptions section allows you to clearly spell out the precise focus and assumptions used for your dissertation:
It allows you to describe a specific geographical location
It allows you to describe a particular religious, cultural, or ethnic limitation
It allows you to dictate key assumptions that govern the project, or the solution you introduce
It allows you to introduce any contingencies upon which the dissertation, data collection, or project execution depend
Chapter 1 Structure: (Option) – Biblical, Theological, Historical Perspectives
The biblical, theological, and historical foundations that support the project and dissertation can be found in Chapter 3. They were originally a section in your Proposal. Due to their importance, novelty, or centrality, some committees chose to retain this section as a summary in Chapter 1 of the dissertation:
Presents a summary of the key biblical passages, principles, paradigms, and support for the intervention used to solve the problem
Presents clear theological support and reasoning as a philosophical support for the problem and intervention
Presents the historical evidence (church, local, etc.) that support the project and intervention
Chapter 1 Structure: (Option) – Summary of the Literature
The Summary of the Literature was originally part of your Proposal, and has now been expanded into Chapter 2 of the dissertation. Some committees may choose to retain this summary in Chapter 1, because of centrality and importance to the focus of the dissertation:
The summary should review the most important sources that inform your approach to the ministry problem and solution
It is designed to demonstrate that the literature has informed your solution, rather than random guesses
This summarizes only the most important theories, paradigms, principles, and practices used to frame your project, solution, and/or methodologies.
It should be written as a dialogue between you and the sources, as well as between source and source
Chapter 1 Structure: Methods of Analyzing and Solving the Problem
Your ministry project is an intervention that is designed to solve a specific problem in ministry. As such, you must correctly analyze the nature of the problem, as well as design a measurable solution:
This section is a partial summary of Chapter 4 in the disseretation
This section describes your specific approaches to understanding the dimensions of the problem that is being addressed
It breaks the complex problem down into “bite-sized” pieces that can be understood and addressed by a specific facet of your intervention
It enumerates the outcomes that you are aiming for through the intervention
It describes exactly what methodology you will use to measure the degree of success in solving the problem (qualitative and/or quantitative)
Chapter 1 Structure: Results and Contributions
This section describes the results you obtained from your ministry intervention and the contributions these results have made to general knowledge and ministry practice
This section is a partial summary of the results recorded in Chapter 5 of the dissertation
It describes the results that were obtained after completion of the ministry project
It can use a bullet point summary of the results, followed by a more detailed exposition of each point
It describes the contributions that the results have made toward the general knowledge base, and/or toward the practice of ministry
Chapter 1 Structure: Evaluation of the Project
This section is an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the project in addressing the specific outcomes that were the target of the ministry project and their effectiveness at solving the problem:
This section is a summary of the effectiveness of the ministry intervention for solving the specific ministry problem
It can summarize potential solutions gained from the ministry project experience or possible future direction
Chapter 1 Structure: Summary
As mentioned, each chapter in the dissertation begins with an overview of the contents and purpose of that chapter, and ends with a summary that restates these points.:
The “Overview” tells the reader what the chapter will do
The “Summary” tells the reader what the chapter did
The “overview” and the “Summary” have much similarity
They exist to provide clarity and succinctness for the reader and the author
Integrative Exam and Proposal
After completion of the Core and the Elective classes in the D.Min. program, you will take an “Integrative Exam” that will allow you to enter into the dissertation process:
The Integrative Exam (covered in a later module) assesses your growth against the same Ministry Leadership Profile you did when you applied for the D.Min. program
It also allows you to present a formal “Proposal,” in written form, of what your plans are for the dissertation process.
The “Integrative Exam” is the professional doctorate’s equivalent to the “Comprehensive Exam” process involved in a Ph.D. degree
The Integrative Exam allows you to demonstrate practical growth and synthesis of learning into your personal, spiritual, professional life and ministry
Because of its reflective and synthetic nature the exam is oral.
Integrative Exam and Proposal
You will select a dissertation committee and have your Integrative Exam with them. You will submit a written summary of your growth toward the Ministry Growth Profile and a formal Dissertation Proposal to them in advance:
When you pass the Integrative Exam, you are now considered a “Candidate” for the Doctor of Ministry degree
You are cleared to proceed with the dissertation according to the proposal as accepted or revised
You become “A.B.D.” (all but dissertation), with access to the “D.Min.” title, but written Joseph Smith, D.Min., (A.B.D.)
You remain in constant communication with your committee about the dissertation, ministry project, evaluation, etc., presenting them with drafts of the dissertation chapters along the way
Proposal Structure: General
You have already been working on your dissertation proposal as part of the pre & post-session assignments for DCOR700. The Proposal structure is almost identical to Chapter 1 of the dissertation, with a few additions:
Overview
Statement of the Problem
Rationale for Doing the Project
Limitations and Assumptions
Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives (will be Chap 3)
Summary of the Literature (Will be Chapter 2)
Methods of Solving and Analyzing the Problem
Results and Contributions
Evaluation of the Project
Summary
Dissertation Timeline
Proposal Structure: Specifics
You have already been working on your dissertation proposal as part of the pre & post-session assignments for DCOR700. The Proposal structure is almost identical to Chapter 1 of the dissertation, with a few additions. Follow the same guidelines of the general sections of the proposal that were presented earlier for the dissertation:
The Proposal is written by strict Turabian formatting guidelines
It includes a “Front Matter” section, that is Turabian formatted (discussed in a moment)
It includes a “Bibliography” section that is a list of potential sources for your project
It always contains the “Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives,” which is an option for the dissertation (will be Chap 3)
It always contains a “Summary of the Literature,” which is an option for the dissertation (Will be Chapter 2)
It contains a Dissertation Timeline section that lays out the plan of attack for your dissertation, based on the guidelines and schedules in the D.Min. Research Guide and D.Min. Handbook
Proposal and Dissertation Front Matter (see example, this week’s module)
Your Proposal and the Dissertation have an identical and specific format, based on Turabian style, for the information that occurs “up front,” before the body of the dissertation. This is called “Front Matter,” and may contain the following:
Title Page: See Sample Supplied in Turabian (T) – T 1.7
Copyright Page: See Sample Supplied – T 1.8
Signature Page: See Sample Supplied
Dedication and/or Epigraph – T 1.9 & 1.10
Abstract: 350 words or less / one page – T 1.32
Acknowledgements: Personal Remarks – T 1.26
Table of Contents: Indicate Every Section; Capitalize all chapter headings – T 1.11 – 1.18
List of Illustrations: T 1.19-1.23
List of Tables: T 1.24
List of Abbreviations: T 1.26
Glossary: T 1.28-1.30
Front Mater Pagination – Roman Numerals, 0.50” off bottom center; appears first on abstract page
Some Final Thoughts…..
Doctoral level work pushes us to the limits. It forces deep reflection, integration of life, ministry, and educational experience, and life focus to produce a new mind-set and paradigm in your life and ministry for problem-solving:
Both the proposal and Chapter 1 of the dissertation are designed to force the issue of focus and direction
The reflection, integration of research, and synthesis of this with a real world intervention and evaluation process are what a professional doctorate is about
The price is high, but the results in your life, and those you serve, make the effort worth it all!
If you are willing to pay the personal and professional price, the reward will be transformational for your life and ministry
