2020-2021 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 a seminary degree and have engaged in at least six years of ministerial experience. 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 complete the program successfully

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:

  1. Earned Master of Arts (M.A.) in a ministry-related field or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited seminary, college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In cases where the applicant has a Master's in a non-ministry field, students may fulfill educational prerequisites by completing six seminary classes in the form of a graduate-level Certificate. The Certificate must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible to apply the D.Min. program. The certificate will consist of a base of six classes. Here are the class requirements and suggestions: Required: Three Great Conversation classes (online or onsite) and three other courses of your choosing (excluding field education). We recommend two of your three classes be in Biblical Interpretation and Pastoral Formation (online or onsite).
  2. Six or more years of professional ministry experience. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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, affirm the applicant’s call to and gifts for Christian ministry, and give their endorsement for the individual to pursue the D.Min. degree and one congregational or institutional reference that affirms the applicant’s call to and gifts for Christian ministry
  5. An application essay and theological paper sample.
  6. A professional resume is required. The resume should outline scope of work and specifically highlight involvement in various forms of ministry.
  7. In the case of international students for whom English is a second language, a TOEFL score of 79 or higher is required