The Use of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) by Practicing Presbyterian Ministers

This mixed method study investigated continuing professional education practices of active Presbyterian ministers serving congregations within the United States. In the first phase, a self-developed survey instrument was mailed to a stratified random sample of 1,000 Presbyterian ministers. The survey instrument contained items relating to demographics, educational strategies, and techniques used when participating in continuing professional education. The data from 439 completed surveys was analyzed to determine if any significant relationships existed between gender, career choice and educational strategies and techniques used by Presbyterian ministers. The second phase consisted of telephone interviews with 12 Presbyterian ministers from the overall sample population. The interview consisted of questions relating to overall satisfaction with quality of available education strategies and techniques.Based on the data analysis and telephone interviews completed during this study, 4 conclusions were made. First, Presbyterian ministers are satisfied with the continuing professional education strategies and techniques that are available for their use. Second, there is no difference between gender, career choice and educational strategies and techniques of Presbyterian ministers in this study. Third, concerning continuing education practices, Presbyterian ministers use the methods they were taught in their pre-professional training. Fourth, Presbyterian ministers in this study served as their own educational agents and made decisions about what educational strategies and techniques best suit their needs for continuing professional education.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Studies

Year dc:date.available

2007

Author dc:creator

• Martin, Steven C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Carroll Londoner

• education
• training
• continuing professional education
• minister
• Presbyterian

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/957

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1956