The Campbell University Divinity School is pleased that you are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Ministry degree!
The Doctor of Ministry degree program accepts applications only for fall semester admission. The priority application deadline is April 1.*
*Please note: Seats for the Doctor of Ministry program are limited and can fill up quickly. It is recommended that interested applicants apply early in the cycle. Admissions reviews and interviews may be conducted at any time, up to one year prior to starting the degree program. The Divinity School will begin to assemble the cohort and notify applicants of their admissions decision after the priority deadline. Applications received after April 1 may not be considered if the cohort is already full.
Eligibility Requirements
Admission to the Doctor of Ministry program is based on a candidate’s profile of academic work, experience in ministry, and potential for excellence in future ministry. The following profile has been developed to make this assessment. Applicants must:
- Have a theological master’s degree from an ATS (Association of Theological Schools) accredited school. The Master of Divinity degree is preferred. In general, degrees with fewer than 48 hours will not be considered. Leveling courses may be required, especially for degrees with fewer than 72 hours. Professional but non-theological master’s degrees such as MBA, MEd, or MSW do not fulfill this requirement.
- Have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in MDiv studies. (Applicants with grade point averages of 2.75 or above will receive consideration.)
- Have completed a minimum of three years significant ministerial experience with at least one year of ministerial experience after the completion of MDiv or other theological master’s degree.
- Have evidence of current involvement in ministry.
- Demonstrate ability to think critically and express oneself well in written work.
- Demonstrate a readiness to engage in ongoing personal and spiritual formation for one’s ministry and reflect theologically on ministry in one’s cultural context as part of the global Christian environment.
Application Procedures
To apply to be considered for the Doctor of Ministry program, individuals must:
- Complete and submit online application
- If applicable, take and submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A score of at least 92 on the internet-based test (237 on the computer-based test), or documentation showing the ability to communicate in written and spoken English at the graduate level, is required. Graduation from an accredited theological school in the United States would be acceptable documentation.
- Submit an essay of 8-10 double-spaced, typed pages.
- Submit a representative sample of academic work demonstrating research ability in a theological discipline such as biblical studies, church history, or theology. This paper should be a minimum of 10 pages in length; it must be original work with appropriate citation of sources demonstrating graduate-level research. The admissions committee will evaluate your paper on the basis of careful research, clear analysis, thoughtful reflection, and clarity of form and style. This paper will preferably have been written within the last ten years.
- Request that all post-secondary educational institutions in which the applicant has studied send a transcript directly to the Campbell University Divinity School.
- Request recommendations from three persons acquainted with applicant’s ministry skills: minister, seminary professor, and layperson. The applicant must be acquainted with at least one recommender for three or more years. Recommenders must be familiar with the applicant in his/her ministry/academic setting. The recommendation completed by the minister must be a minister with whom the applicant is well acquainted. The recommendation completed by a professor must be from the applicant’s seminary studies. The recommendation completed by the layperson must be a layperson who is familiar with the applicant’s ministry and is a member of the applicant’s current congregation or is a member of the applicant’s most immediate past congregation. Family members may not serve as recommenders. In addition, recommenders selected must not be related to another recommender. Recommendation forms must be submitted directly from the recommenders to the Campbell University Divinity School.
- Have a personal interview on the Campbell University Divinity School campus with the Doctor of Ministry Admission Committee.
Approval for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program is given by the Doctor of Ministry Admissions Committee. Campbell University Divinity School reserves the right to limit admission for any reason to insure the quality of the program and to maintain the purpose for which the school was established. Additional documentation may be requested from applicants to determine their readiness for the Doctor of Ministry program.
Materials submitted in support of an application are not released for other purposes and cannot be returned to the applicant.
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Transfer Students
For students who transfer into the program, up to six semester hours may be accepted for transfer credit regardless of the amount of work taken in another institution. The Dean and Director of Admissions will calculate and explain these amounts upon entry to the program.