Admission Requirements 

Qualified applicants give evidence of:

1. commitment to the church and its ministry, ordinarily including extended involvement in a particular community of faith;
2. a vibrant, growing, and inquiring Christian faith, characterized by a commitment to regular worship, prayer, Bible study, stewardship, and service;
3. attentiveness to a possible call to ministry characterized by a sense of God’s leading, by contact and conversation with a community of faith, and by the identification of appropriate gifts for ministry;
4. the ability to do graduate-level academic work, as shown by strong undergraduate performance and/or professional experience, and the ability to write well;
5. the capacity for critical reflection, the willingness to explore various theological perspectives, and the ability to communicate effectively;
6. emotional maturity, including evidence of adequate attention to personal stewardship, especially financial debt, and of due consideration to the financial, personal, family, and lifestyle adjustments and demands inherent in theological study and future ministry. 

 

Advanced Degree Programs:

The M.Div. degree or its equivalent, earned at an ATS-accredited institution, or at an institution offering graduate level work accredited by one of the nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies in the United States, or an equivalent educational credential from another country, is prerequisite for admission into the Th.M. program.

For the Ph.D., a master’s degree in an appropriate discipline from a college, university, or seminary accredited by ATS or one of the nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies in the United States, or an equivalent educational credential from another country, is prerequisite for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Criteria for Admission   (all degree programs)

1. Applicants must show evidence of the capacity for an advanced level of competence and reflection upon the practice of ministry.
2. Applicants must articulate interest in an area of possible study, which fits with the goals of the D.Min. program, the competencies of our faculty, and the resources available in our theological library.
3. Applicants must demonstrate the potential for effectively working with the educational methods used in the D.Min. program, including peer learning, self-directed learning, interdisciplinary courses, and pastoral research.
4. Applicants must be active in a ministry setting, which will function as a key learning environment in their educational program.