Admissions Information for Doctor of Ministry

Admissions requirements

The MDiv, or its equivalent, from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The following guidelines are used to evaluate MDiv equivalency.

A total of 81 hours, which would include the following:
- 20 hours in Biblical Foundations including: Introduction to Old Testament and Introduction to New Testament.
- 12 hours in Theological/Historical Foundations including: Survey of Christianity and Christian Theology
- 32 hours in Leadership Skill Formation including: Pastoral Care, Preaching, Missions, Evangelism, Worship, Field Education, and Christian Education.
Applicants with deficiencies in the above areas may be allowed to take up to 10 hours of leveling work concurrent with and after admission to the program. All requirements must be met before beginning the ministry project.
Seminary Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. An applicant with a seminary GPA lower than 3.0 is required to take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) as an additional measurement of his or her academic capabilities for succeeding in the program. The MAT can be taken at a university testing center and is normally given either on demand or at specifically scheduled times. To apply to take the MAT, go to www.milleranalogies.com. It frequently takes four to six weeks to obtain a MAT score. This should be taken into consideration for meeting the D.Min. application deadline.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants who do not have English as their native language and who do not take the MAT will be required to take the TOEFL exam, including the Test of Spoken English portion. They must score at least 575 on the standard paper-based TOEFL or 230 on the computer-generated TOEFL, and 50 on the Test Of Spoken English portion. Applicants using the new Internet-based TOEFL exam must score at least 90.
- For Korean Bilingual and Spanish Bilingual Cohort applicants only: the expected score is 550 on the standard paper-based TOEFL or 79-80 on the Internet-based TOEFL. The Test of Spoken English portion is not required. For persons who have graduated with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited English-language-based institution, the TOEFL requirement is waived.
Three years of substantial post-seminary ministry experience. Positions held while at college or seminary student will not normally meet this requirement. A staff position or its equivalent that provided opportunity for demonstrating qualifications for ministry will constitute substantial ministry experience.
Applicants must have specific and adequate current positions of ministry. A bivocational applicant will need to provide evidence that the ministry setting and ministry involvement are sufficient to meet the educational goals of the D.Min. program.
Statement of Conversion and Call. Applicants submit a maximum two-page essay (typed and double spaced) that overviews his/her experience of becoming a Christian and decision to pursue ministry as a calling. (Not required for candidates who are previous GGBTS students.)
Ministry Essay. Applicants submit a ministry essay of eight to ten pages (typed and double-spaced), setting forth his/her understanding of ministry and his/her ability to communicate that understanding. The essay needs to address the following areas:
- Philosophy of ministry.
- Past ministry experience.
- Current ministry situation, including position, nature of responsibilities and accomplishments, organizations, and programs.
  - Goals for personal and professional development in ministry practice.
  - Specific ways the D.Min. Program will help in achieving these goals.
Institutional Approval Form. The church, institution, or agency in which the applicant ministers will provide the seminary a statement of its approval of the applicant and its willingness to participate in the applicant’s program of study and practice. This form is used to determine an applicant’s denominational status, in terms of tuition.
References. An applicant will submit names of references to testify to his/her commitment to and effectiveness in ministry.
Interview. The director or associate director will conduct or supervise an interview with each applicant.
Completed application (available upon request)
- “Provisional Acceptance.” Applicants may be granted “provisional acceptance” if their entrance data are not sufficient to indicate candidacy, or if grade point average and MAT score are marginally lower, but ministry (as determined by references, years in ministry, essay, and interview) is significantly above average. The cohort coordinator will review work of provisional applicants after their first six months in the program and recommend to the D.Min. Committee if they should be granted candidate status. If the committee determines the “provisional applicant” should not continue in the program, he/she will be terminated from the program.
- Previous GGBTS master’s degree applicants/students: Your permanent application/student file already contains transcripts from colleges and universities. Only arrange for transcripts for any additional studies you have done at colleges, universities, and seminaries since your last application to GGBTS.

Details for International Students

Admissions Process

Application deadline is five months prior to the start of the first seminar (date will vary depending upon which track you select). On this date, we will need – at a minimum – your application and the application fee. Remaining required materials may be submitted after this date.
All required items (transcripts, essays, etc.) must be received before final processing of your application.
When the application file is complete, the director or associate director will review the material, conduct a phone-call interview with you, and make a recommendation to the D.Min. Committee.
The D.Min. Committee reports their recommendations to the faculty, who make the final decision regarding acceptance.
We will inform you after the final determination. In some cases, the D.Min. Committee may ask you to defer your application to a later cohort (which does not guarantee acceptance).