The Doctor of Ministry

Academic History

• A Ministry-Related Master’s Degree from an Accredited Institution.
• Students who do not possess an MDiv from an accredited institution may be required to complete the Equivalency Packet as a part of the application process.
• A minimum master’s level cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required to be considered for this program. Applicants with a cumulative grade point average lower than 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted on academic probation if they successfully complete other requirements as determined by the director.

• Minimum of three years of full-time ministry experience in most cases is advised prior to beginning the Doctor of Ministry Program.
• In the judgment of the faculty and the accrediting agency, the Doctor of Ministry Program is most effective when students bring to it a period of experience in ministry that follows the attainment of the first professional degree.
• The DMin Director with the assistance of the DMin Program Committee will consider any exceptions based upon the normal considerations for admission plus age, years of experience, history of excellence in ministry or outstanding prior academic performance.

• Potential for excellence in ministry is assessed on the basis of a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s church, references from at least five specified persons acquainted with the applicant’s ministry and personal statement involving one’s Christian experience, calling, church service and sample research paper.
• Upon official acceptance into the DMin program, a student has up to one year to register for the first seminar. Failure to matriculate in that time period, without prior permission from the director, will result in the need to repeat the admissions process beginning with the pre-application stage.

• Spring Application Deadline: August 15th
• Fall Application Deadline: March 15th

Students can seamlessly complete a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity followed by a Doctor of Ministry degree in 5 years or more. The Doctor of Ministry program seeks to meet accreditation standards for Master of Divinity equivalency by evaluating students through a wide range of academic and ministerial aspects, graded on a comprehensive rubric.  To meet the six criteria established by ATS for MDiv equivalency, students without an MDiv must complete a Qualification Packet in which they demonstrate mastery in theological integration. The DMin Committee evaluates each applicant’s qualification packet to verify that each of the six criteria has been met. All DMin applicants must receive a minimum score on the comprehensive rubric, as well as have three or more Committee members recommend acceptance to the DMin program to be unconditionally admitted.