Going into the academia

[kenny udokporo]

I know my calling is to go into the academia, presently am taking a graduate program in Christian Education at Midwestern Baptist Seminary, hopefully to graduate in 2010 (may). Could someone direct me on my next line of action to fulfill my calling.

[Paul Bramer]

I think that the CE professors you are in touch with will be able to give the best advice, but here's a few obvious things. To teach in higher education, you generally need a doctorate. An academic doctorate (usually a PhD) is the recommended degree; these are usually 2 years of course work and 1 year full-time of dissertation work. However, professional doctorates (e.g., DMin, DEdMin), which are usually equivalent to 1-1.5 years of course & project work done part time over 3-5 years, are acceptable in many institutions, even preferred by some. While there are only a few schools offering a Doctor of Educational Ministry degree, you may want to check that out since you may have some difficulty going straight into a DMin degree if you have a 2 year masters degree (e.g., MACE, MRE). There is also the EdD degree which may be modelled on an academic or professional degree or a hybrid. If you are going to teach in Christian higher education, you will want to have a couple of your degrees from Christian schools; if you are going to teach in "public" higher education, you would probably find yourself handicapped with a terminal degree from an explicitly Christian institution. You need to select the school for your final degree with some care since it tends to "stamp" you more than the earlier degrees, in reputation at least, if not formationally; I'm not thinking here of the "brag" value (something that is not worthy of a Christian), so much as the reputation the institution has as far as its theological position, rigor of study, influence of faculty, etc. While admissions departments are not neutral counsellors, you will find many willing to coach you and give you good advice on what your next steps should be. Hope this is helpful. Others will have further (and perhaps different) advice.