Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program | Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements | Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program

DMin General Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements for the Leadership track and all its concentrations and the Pastoral Thanatology track.

  • Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) or equivalent (master’s degree and sufficient breadth and depth of theological, Biblical, and ministry courses) from an accredited institution with a minimum B average.
    • Evidence of a strong foundation in graduate theological studies is required from all DMin applicants. Applicants without an MDiv, but with another master’s degree, are welcome to inquire about admission.
    • Transcripts will be assessed on an individual basis to evaluate MDiv educational equivalency. We will formulate a customized preparatory study path to enable you to address any deficiencies and meet requirements.
  • Three years of ministry experience following MDiv
  • Current ministry position
  • Basic computer and internet skills
  • Completion of application. Apply Online

Written Personal Statement

(6 - 8 double-spaced pages), outlining:

  • Key milestones in your spiritual and ministry/vocational journey
  • Describe your ministry/vocational roles over your lifetime and over the past 12 months
  • Share how you understand the nature of ministry/vocation, why you initially entered your ministry/vocational role, and why you continue in a ministry/vocational role
  • Explain your reasons for applying to this Doctor of Ministry program (include how you hope to grow and develop, how the program will be of benefit to your ministry/ vocational context, goals and vision for the future, etc.)
  • Please share how your lived experience has shaped and been shaped by your ministry/vocational context. This could include your family dynamics, ethnocultural background, church context, and the places you have lived and traveled
  • Describe the key ministry/vocational questions you are interested in exploring during this program
  • Give examples of your recent and ongoing professional development (e.g., seminars, courses, conferences, reading)
  • Given that your expanded resume (CV) has already been received, please elaborate on your professional background and share a bit more about the experiences you have had and the skills you have acquired which will be an asset to you in a Doctor of Ministry program
  • Please discuss insights, failures, ministry understandings and values

Documentation:

  • Official transcripts from prior degrees
  • Resumé or CV which includes all ministry/vocational experience (paid and unpaid), education (formal and informal), postsecondary teaching experience (if any) with corresponding descriptions of courses taught, number of semesters taught, level of study, and credit hours per course (paid and unpaid, teaching assistant/guest lecturer/faculty assistant/faculty member), and a list of publications (if any).
  • Two letters of reference (One academic reference from a professor who has taught the applicant in their most recent graduate or postgraduate degree, and one professional/character reference)
  • Letter of endorsement of your involvement in this Doctor of Ministry program from the person or board to whom you report. This letter should specifically recognize the need for scheduled time for residencies and research and indicate support for you to carry out a field research project in your ministry.
  • International applicants may require additional documentation. View International Student information.

DMin Clinical Counselling and Psychotherapy Admissions Requirements

  • Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) with a minimum 3.0 GPA or
  • Master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with at least 18 hours of Bible/Theology with a 3.0 GPA. Transcripts will be assessed on an individual basis to evaluate MDiv educational equivalency. We will formulate a customized preparatory study path to enable you to address any deficiencies and meet requirements.
  • Must be a Registered/Licensed Psychotherapist/clinician, or in a related profession.
  • Minimum of three years’ experience post master’s counselling degree.
  • Completion of application. Apply Online

Written Personal Statement

(6 - 8 double-spaced pages), outlining:

  • Please provide key milestones in your spiritual and ministry/vocational journey
  • Describe your ministry/vocational roles over your lifetime and over the past 12 months
  • Share how you understand the nature of ministry/vocation, why you initially entered your ministry/vocational role, and why you continue in a ministry/ vocational role
  • Explain your reasons for applying to this Doctor of Ministry program (include how you hope to grow and develop, how the program will be of benefit to your ministry/vocational context, goals and vision for the future, etc.)
  • Please share how your lived experience has shaped and been shaped by your ministry/vocational context
  • This could include your family dynamics, ethnocultural background, church context, and the places you have lived and traveled
  • Describe the key ministry/vocational questions you are interested in exploring during this program
  • Give examples of your recent and ongoing professional development (e.g., seminars, courses, conferences, reading)
  • Given that your expanded resume (CV) has already been received, please elaborate on your professional background and share a bit more about the experiences you have had and the skills you have acquired which will be an asset to you in a Doctor of Ministry program
  • Please discuss insights, failures, ministry understandings and values.

Documentation:

  • Official transcripts from prior degrees
  • Resumé or CV which includes all ministry/vocational experience (paid and unpaid), education (formal and informal), postsecondary teaching experience (if any) with corresponding descriptions of courses taught, number of semesters taught, level of study, and credit hours per course (paid and unpaid, teaching assistant/guest lecturer/faculty assistant/faculty member), and a list of publications (if any).
  • Please provide proof of good standing with the regulatory body and/or professional association who governs the legal and ethical guidelines to which you are accountable.
  • Two letters of reference (One academic reference from a professor who has taught the applicant in their most recent graduate or postgraduate degree, and one professional/character reference)
  • Letter of endorsement of your involvement in this Doctor of Ministry program from the person or board to whom you report. This letter should specifically recognize the need for scheduled time for residencies and research and indicate support for you to carry out a field research project in your vocational context.
    • Applicants who are practitioners under clinical supervision: letter of endorsement of your involvement in this Doctor of Ministry program from the person and/or regulatory body and/or professional association who governs the legal and ethical guidelines to which you are accountable. This letter should specifically recognize the need for scheduled time for residencies and research and indicate support for you to carry out a field research project in your vocational context.
    • Applicants who are independent practitioners: letter of commitment of your involvement in this Doctor of Ministry program from yourself as an independent practitioner. This letter should specifically name your regulatory body and/or professional association who governs the legal and ethical guidelines to which you are accountable, recognize the need for scheduled time for residencies and research and indicate support for you to carry out a field research project in your vocational context.
  • International applicants may require additional documentation. View International Student information.

DMin Spiritual Formation Admissions Requirements

  • Master of Divinity degree (MDiv) or equivalent (master’s degree and sufficient breadth and depth of theological, Biblical, and ministry courses) from an accredited institution with a minimum B average.
    • Evidence of a strong foundation in graduate theological studies is required from all DMin applicants. Applicants without an MDiv, but with another master’s degree, are welcome to inquire about admission.
    • Transcripts will be assessed on an individual basis to evaluate MDiv educational equivalency. We will formulate a customized preparatory study path to enable you to address any deficiencies and meet requirements.
  • Three years of ministry experience following MDiv
  • Current ministry position
  • Basic computer and internet skills
  • Completion of application. Apply Online

Written Personal Statement

(6 - 8 double-spaced pages):

  • Describe your current understanding of spiritual formation.
  • Considering your understanding above, share some examples of your own formation in the last twelve months, what has happened between you and God, your relationships, and your ministry. Include both difficult and joy-filled experiences.
  • Describe the ministry roles you have filled, on a volunteer or paid basis, over your lifetime and, in particular, over the last year twelve months.
  • Explain why you initially entered your ministry role and why you continue in a ministry role.
  • Share how your life has been shaped by your ministry and your ministry shaped by your life. This could include family dynamics, ethnocultural background, church context, and the places you have lived and travelled.
  • Explain your motivation for applying to the Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation. Include how you hope to be formed, how the program might benefit your ministry, and your hopes for your ministry’s future.
  • Given your understanding of spiritual formation, describe how your ministry is or could be one of spiritual formation.
  • Provide some of the spiritual formation questions you are interested in exploring during this program and explain how they are related to your ministry.
  • Give examples of your recent and ongoing professional development (e.g., seminars, courses, conferences, podcasts, reading).
  • Given that your expanded resume (CV) has already been received, please elaborate on your professional background and share a bit more about the experiences you have had and the skills you have acquired, which will be an asset to you in a Doctor of Ministry program.

Documentation:

  • Official transcripts from prior degrees
  • Resumé or CV which includes all ministry/vocational experience (paid and unpaid), education (formal and informal), postsecondary teaching experience (if any) with corresponding descriptions of courses taught, number of semesters taught, level of study, and credit hours per course (paid and unpaid, teaching assistant/guest lecturer/faculty assistant/faculty member), and a list of publications (if any).
  • Two letters of reference (One academic reference from a professor who has taught the applicant in their most recent graduate or postgraduate degree, and one professional/character reference)
  • Letter of endorsement of your involvement in this Doctor of Ministry program from the person or board to whom you report. This letter should specifically recognize the need for scheduled time for residencies and research and indicate support for you to carry out a field research project in your ministry.
  • International applicants may require additional documentation. View International Student information.

Post-DMin Certificate Admissions Requirements

The Post-DMin Certificate is designed for people who already have a DMin but want to take additional courses as continued education.

  • Prospective students need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher for their doctoral degree.
  • Official transcript from DMin Program.
  • Academic reference letter from the DMin Director/professor where you took your DMin.