Admissions

Admissions Requirements

The professional nature of the D.Min. requires that students have leadership responsibilities in their ministry setting. Application deadline is March 14 for June admission to a cohort. Applicants wishing to enter the D.Min. program must have:

  1. An accredited master’s degree (or its educational equivalent) in an area related to one’s ministry setting or vocational calling with demonstrated academic excellence, as attested by official transcripts.
  2. Significant ministerial experience that enables the applicant to engage as a ministry peer with other students in this advanced professional doctorate, as attested by two references.
  3. The ability to interpret scripture and the theological tradition of one’s ministry context thoughtfully, the capacity to understand and adapt one’s ministry to the cultural context, a basic self-understanding of one’s ministerial identity and vocational calling, and a readiness to engage in ongoing personal and spiritual formation for one’s ministry, as reflected in a short essay addressing vocation, leadership, and community building. The essay should include (a) a statement of objectives in pursuing the D.Min. degree, and (b) the anticipated contribution of the writing project to the applicant’s vocation, understanding of leadership and commitment to community building.+

International applicants who hold a Religious Worker (R-1) Visa may be considered for admission. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English with a minimum score of 600 paper-based or 250 computer-based TOEFL score. NOTE: No Perkins funded financial aid is available to international students. See DMin Financial Information for requirements for international students.
Because the Doctor of Ministry is a degree given in the context of ministry, generally no transfer credit is accepted.

Application

Applications must be completed by March 14 for June admission.
Application fee is $50.00.

  • The application process is in digital/electronic form and there is no need to print materials. Please follow the instructions as they appear in the digital/electronic application. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Pamela Hogan at phogan@smu.edu or Dr. Dallas Gingles at dmin@smu.edu

For more information, please contact:

Doctor of Ministry Program
Perkins School of Theology
51²è¹Ý
P.O. Box 750133
Dallas, Texas 75275-0133

Dr. Dallas Gingles (dgingles@smu.edu)
Phone: 214.768.2432 (Pamela Hogan)
Email: dmin@smu.edu

Inquiries and Transcripts

Inquiries and transcripts should be sent to the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Perkins School of Theology, 51²è¹Ý, P.O. Box 750133, Dallas TX 75275-0133.