Postgraduate study in church growth

Durham offers the UK’s leading centre for postgraduate study of theology and for postgraduate study of church growth. This can be done at MA and doctoral levels, full or part-time and through a wide range of formats.

Brief details of the courses are given below.  For an informal conversation about these courses, please contact David Goodhew, Director of the Centre for Church Growth Research, on: [email protected]

MA level

The MA in theology and ministry (MATM) integrates theological study and the practice of Christian ministry and mission.  MATM students can combine a general training in theological reflection with an in-depth focus on church growth, exploring the subject via the module ‘Growth and Decline in British Christianity, from 1945 to the Present Day’. A range of other modules are offered which focus on various aspects of missiology. Students then dig more deeply into a specific aspect of church growth via a 15,000 word dissertation.

The MA in Theology and Religion (MATR) is focussed primarily on academic study. There is a  wide range of modules, allowing focus on the field of church growth.

The research MA is a ‘pure’ research course, involving a 50,000 word thesis, completed in one year (full time) or two years (part-time). It allows postgraduates to get straight into research, but there are ample opportunities to gain further training, professional experience and attend other taught courses if researchers wish to do so.

DThM

This is a professional doctorate, which includes a taught element, but the primary component is a 60,000 word thesis. It takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time).

PhD

This is a ‘pure’ research qualification, comprising of a 100,000 word thesis. It takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time).

All postgraduate courses are degrees from Durham University and you can obtain general information about postgraduate study at Durham from www.dur.ac.uk/theology.religion/postgrad/