Doctor of Ministry Admissions Procedures and Requirements

McCormick Theological Seminary welcomes applications from qualified persons for admission to its Doctor of Ministry degree programs!

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) requirements

In accordance with criteria established by the ATS, the following standards apply:

• Master of Divinity degree (or its academic equivalent) from an ATS-accredited school.

• B average in the MDiv program.

• Minimum of three years full-time professional experience in ministry after graduation with an MDiv.

Admissions Requirements

Action to admit or not to admit will be taken by the Faculty Committee on Admissions when the following forms and assessments have been received:

1. Application Form

2. Ministry Resume

3. Conversation with Director (spiritual journey and self-awareness, reason for pursuing DMin)

4. Transcripts

   • For non-theological degrees, one (1) paragraph explaining how this degree is ministry-related.

5. References (lay leadership of ministry context, colleague) rate on a scale of 1-5, with space for comments supporting each

• Candidate’s sense of call to ministry

• Candidate’s intercultural awareness

• Candidate’s openness to growth and change

• Candidate’s degree of self-awareness

• Would the ministry context make a good learning environment?

6. One of the following:

• Two (2) existing written pieces by the candidate: One from the ministry context showing the candidate’s interpretation of scripture, and one from the ministry context showing the candidate’s understanding of their theological tradition

• An academic writing sample engaging scripture and theology

• A personal essay describing the role of scripture and its interpretation in the ministry context
  

Language Proficiency Requirements

All students for whom English is not their first language must meet an English language proficiency requirement. Applicants may meet this requirement in one of four ways:

1. Complete the TOEFL exam with an internet total score of 79 (213 computer, 550 paper), with a 20 minimum in four sections of reading, listening, speaking, and writing;

2. Hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English was the instructional language;

3. Complete four semesters of ESL from an accredited institution, or

4. Supply a documentable exemption from the above, e.g., extensive ministerial experience in an English-speaking context, a bilingual family of origin where English was one of the domestic languages, extensive education instruction apart from college or university in English (e.g., a British-style prep school), etc.

Applicants to Cooperative Programs

The Interschool DMin has a separate application form and admissions requirements. Deadlines will vary. For more information, visit the Cooperative Dmin Program section of our website.  

Transfer Students

A student wishing to transfer credit for Doctor of Ministry courses completed at another theological seminary must first submit the regular application for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program at McCormick. Once admitted, the student may submit a transcript of DMin courses completed at other institutions along with a statement of good standing from the dean or other appropriate officials.
 
If a student wishes to have credit considered for transfer from more than one school, transcripts and statements of good standing must be submitted from each school. Courses that are more than ten (10) years old will not be accepted for transfer. No more than four courses completed at other institutions may be credited toward a McCormick DMin degree. All core courses of the McCormick DMin and the DMin thesis must be completed at McCormick. All matters related to transfer of credit should be directed to the dean of Doctor of Ministry programs.

Students at Large

Ordinarily, students are admitted before taking the first class. Students may audit the first class but must have submitted at least a completed application form and a statement of learning goals before permission can be granted to enroll in a second course. Any exception must be granted by the director of Doctor of Ministry programs. Under no circumstances can more than two courses be taken before the student has been formally admitted to the program.