Application Process

New students may seek admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program at anytime during the academic year.  The on-campus seminars meet during the January and Summer periods. Application must be approved prior to the beginning of a seminar in order to participate in that course.

Admissions

Graduates of accredited colleges and universities, who have also earned the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent with distinction from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) or an affiliate of the council of regional accrediting groups, and have otherwise demonstrated aptitude for academic work on the doctoral level, may apply for admission to the program of studies leading to the Doctor of Ministry degree. For detailed information concerning the M.Div. equivalency requirements, please contact the D.Min office. A minimum cumulative master’s level grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for consideration for this program. Applicants with a grade point average between 2.7 and 3.0 may be admitted on academic probation if they successfully complete all other requirements including any additional required standardized testing and assignments as determined by the Director.

In the judgment of the faculty, the Doctor of Ministry Program is most effective when the students bring to it a period of experience in ministry that follows the attainment of the first professional degree.  In most cases applicants must have three years of full-time post-Master of Divinity ministry experience prior to beginning the Doctor of Ministry Program and must be continuously engaged in some type of Christian ministry during enrollment. 

There are good reasons for this. Doctoral studies differ greatly from Master of Divinity level work. In addition, professional doctoral studies are quite different from research doctoral studies. The Doctor of Ministry degree is a professional degree that by intentional design features presentations and discussion led by the students as well as the faculty. Students must have a certain level of experience and ministry maturity in order to adequately prepare, present and interact with others in cohort peer learning communities who have similar levels of experience.

It has been determined by our accreditation agencies, our faculty, our Doctor of Ministry Program Committee and the Director that experience and maturity in ministry are requirements to provide the necessary foundation for the level of engagement that must take place. In the end students will conduct and write about a ministry project that will benefit their immediate ministry context and be useful to Kingdom work as a whole. Students need adequate full time ministry experience to discern the rationale for the project to be conducted in their ministry context.

The extremely rare exception to this policy will be based upon the normal considerations for admission plus age, years of experience, an excellent history of ministry, and outstanding prior academic performance. Any early entry applications will be considered by both the Director and the Doctor of Ministry Program Committee.

The program of study required for the Doctor of Ministry degree will be no fewer than three academic years and no greater than six. Entering students must understand the high level of commitment that is expected and required to actively participate in this degree program year round for this period of time.

Admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program is determined by an evaluation of the applicant's academic ability and potential for excellence in ministry. Decisions on admission to the program are made by the Director in conjunction with the Doctor of Ministry Committee. 

Academic ability is assessed on the basis of transcripts of all college, seminary, and graduate work, on the basis of performance on the Miller Analogies Test, and any other tests or assignments the Director considers appropriate.

Potential for excellence in ministry is assessed on the basis of a letter of recommendation from the applicant's church, on references from at least five specified persons acquainted with the applicant's ministry, and on a goals and ministry essay involving one's Christian experience, calling, church service, and response to an actual ministry case study. In addition, assessment is based upon an interview with the Director by phone or in person.

Students who do not meet all the admission requirements may petition the Director to enter the program under probationary status.  They may be required to take a standardized test and to write a satisfactory critical book review. They must also obtain a 3.0 on all doctoral work for one year or they will not be allowed to continue in the program. Guidelines for writing a critical book review are made available by contacting the Doctor of Ministry Office.

 Pre-Application Process

Applicants contact the Doctor of Ministry Office and request introductory program information and the pre-application packet. All returning documents are to be mailed directly to the Doctor of Ministry Office. Once the documents below have been received, they are submitted to the Director for review.  Upon a favorable decision by the Director, a full-application packet is mailed and the process continues into the full-application phase.

1. Submission of the two page Pre-Application form.
2. Submission of Official Transcripts of all academic work reflecting credit hours the applicant has completed beyond the secondary school level.
3. The Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program will interview the prospective applicant in order to determine the prospect’s potential for acceptance into the program.  The interview may be held, by telephone or in person, after receipt of a completed pre-application packet and all required, official transcripts. The Doctor of Ministry Office will contact the prospective student to schedule the phone interview when the Pre-Application packet has been received.

 Full-Application Process

Applicants who successfully complete the pre-application process are permitted to complete the full application form in order to continue the admission evaluation process.  The application process may be terminated at any time by either the applicant or by the Director.

1. Complete all items on the Full Application for Admission form. Attach a recent passport style Photograph of the applicant in the space provided.

2. Applicants are required to take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The applicant is advised to secure information about the MAT from the Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, TX  78204 (1-800-228-0752).  Website: http://www.matexampracticetests.com/. The MAT must be taken in time for the score report to be available to the Director when the Director evaluates the application.  The MAT may be taken on select college campuses in each state. Scores in the high 50 percentile are considered standard for this program. A MAT taken within the past five years will be accepted.

3. Applicants are required to secure Five Character References for Admission forms from individuals qualified to judge the applicant's potential for ministry and capacity for growth through an advanced study program.  References should, if possible, include a former professor in master level studies, a colleague in ministry outside of one’s church or agency, a denominational leader, a lay leader in one's church or agency, and a community leader outside one's church or agency. Ask the individual to mail the form directly to the D.Min. Office.
4. Request that the church of your current membership and/or place of ministry employment to complete the Church/Employer Recommendation form.
5. Complete the Medical Information form and provide the Immunization History form signed by a physician. 
6. If you are married, have your spouse complete the Spouse’s Personal Statement.
7. Applicants are required to write and submit an Autobiographical Essay and Ministry Goals Essay and Case Study.  This essay should consist of three parts: (1) a description of the applicant’s salvation experience, call into ministry, experience in Christian discipleship and experience in ministry, both voluntary and professional; (2) A summary of the applicant’s professional and educational goals and expectations as they relate to the Doctor of Ministry Program; (3) A response to a provided case study concerning an actual ministry scenario or problem. This essay will help determine the applicant’s quality and style of writing. This essay should be eight to ten pages, typewritten, double-spaced. An instruction sheet with the case study will be provided by the Doctor of Ministry Office.
8. Enclose the $30 non-refundable Application Fee.
9. Sign and submit the Southeastern Covenant.

International Students

The admissions procedure for international students requires additional information and processing time due to seminary policies and the requirements of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. International applications take approximately 45 days to process after all required items are received by the Admissions Office.

The following items are needed before an application is considered in the Doctor of Ministry Office:

1. Submission of the two page Pre-Application form.
2. Submission of WES Evaluated Transcripts of all academic work reflecting credit hours the applicant has completed beyond the secondary school level.
3. The Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program will Interview the prospective applicant in order to determine the prospect’s potential for acceptance into the program.  The interview may be held, by telephone or in person, after receipt of a completed pre-application packet and all required, official transcripts.
4. International students may begin completing the International Packet provided from the Doctor of Ministry Office only after the Director has interviewed with the prospective student and has cleared said student to continue the application process.
5. Submit All 11 items in the Full Application.