2015-2016 Student Catalog | Doctor of Ministry Program | Admissions

Admissions Requirements

The purpose of the D.Min. degree is to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the Master of Divinity degree and have engaged in some form of ministerial leadership (for a minimum of three years prior to program start). Admission is on the basis of competence in theology and ministry, and giving evidence of the motivation and ability to pursue further study at the doctoral-level. In examining the application, the admissions committee will consider whether the applicant:

  • Is capable of doctoral-level work
  • Has demonstrable learning in the various theological studies
  • Has sufficient ministry experience to gain maximum benefit from the program
  • Has articulated how the program will enhance his or her ministry
  • Is spiritually and emotionally mature
  • Has sufficient support structures (e.g., family, church, etc.) to successfully complete the program

In order to determine whether or not the applicant meets these criteria, the following specific requirements are necessary for admission to the D.Min. program:

  • Completion of a Master of Divinity degree from an institution accredited by The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) or from institutions outside of ATS accreditation provided the schools can demonstrate that they meet the standards of ATS approved degrees for admission
  • In cases where the applicant has not received an accredited Master of Divinity, admission may be considered provided she or he possesses its educational equivalent.
    • To do so the applicant must demonstrate that she or he has a strong foundation in all the areas of theological studies, namely: biblical literature and theology, church history and historical theology, systematic theology, and ministerial arts; this requires a minimum of 15 credits in one of the four areas named above and 9 credits in each of the other three areas with a grade of B or better
    • The NES Core curriculum meets the theological, biblical, and historical studies equivalency. As such, an applicant with another graduate degree may be considered for admission if she or he can also show proof of successful matriculation in theological preparation and meets the minimum credit standard for graduate credit hours (72 credits)
  • Three years of professional ministry experience subsequent to the first graduate theological degree or its educational equivalent. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the director of the doctor of ministry program on a case-by-case basis and must meet ATS standards for admission
  • Official transcripts from all previous graduate and undergraduate-level academic work; normally, a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in previous graduate degree work is required
  • Two ecclesiastical references from a supervisor of the church or para-church organization to which the applicant is accountable that indicate an ability to do above average graduate-level academic work, affirms the applicant’s call to and gifts for Christian ministry, and gives their endorsement for the individual to pursue the D.Min. degree
  • One congregational or institutional reference that affirms the applicant’s call to and gifts for Christian ministry
  • A narrative of approximately 1,500 words on “Ministerial Experience and Program Expectations” in which the applicant (1) reviews and reflects on his or her ministerial experience and (2) offers a possible dissertation topic
    • Part 2 of this narrative does not constitute a formal dissertation proposal; it does, however, identify a potential topic or area of interest that the applicant may wish to pursue in the Doctor of Ministry program
  • A graduate-level paper of 15 to 20 pages in length. This may be a paper the applicant has written earlier. The paper should demonstrate the applicant’s best work and ability in the following areas:

o    Knowledge of theological disciplines

o    Use of research methodology

o    Use of Chicago or another recognized style of writing research papers

  • In the case of international students for whom English is a second language, an Internet-based TOEFL score of 79 or higher is required (or equivalent score of 213 for computer or 550 paper-based TOEFL exams)