Admission Requirements

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Mission Statement

The Master of Ministry degree provides a solid foundation for ministry service by focusing on the core competencies of pastoral ministry. While providing a foundation of biblical and theological study, the program emphasizes practical ministry training, with a particular emphasis on leadership in ministry. The degree program will be appropriate for a variety of persons, including those already in ministry who are ready for advanced study, and persons entering ministry who seek an effective preparation for hands-on ministry service. The program will also be of value for committed lay leaders in the church who seek to advance their capacity and preparation for service.

Master of Divinity and Master of Ministry Personnel

Dr. Michael Duduit, Dean, College of Christian Studies and Clamp Divinity School
Dr. Kristopher K. Barnett, Associate Dean, Clamp Divinity School and Associate Professor of Christian Ministry
Dr. Benjamin Brammer, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Bryan Cribb, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Channing Crisler, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Charles W. Fuller, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Tim McKnight, Associate Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Ryan Neal, Provost and Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. James Noble, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Dr. Luke Stamps, Assistant Professor of Christian Studies
Ms. Kelli Strickland, Administrative Assistant

Program Overview

The Master of Ministry is a 42-hour degree program which is offered via two delivery modes: classroom and online.

Admission Requirements

Regular Admission

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher learning
• Cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Three letters of recommendation. One of the recommendation letters must be from the pastor/minister of the local church where the applicant is currently a member; if the applicant is the pastor, then the letter may come from another leader within the church.
• A one page essay explaining the reason for your application and the potential impact of the M.Min. degree on your ministry. The purpose of the essay is to establish the applicant’s motivation for pursuing the degree and the applicant’s professional goals.
• $40 application fee
• Minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 220 (computer) or 75 (internet) if English is not the student’s first language, and proof of current Visa for International students

Provisional Admission

Prerequisite to admission to the Master of Divinity program is a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. A limited number of applicants who have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university that is not regionally-accredited may be accepted on a provisional basis; in order to be considered for provisional admission, such applicants must submit an appropriate score from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), along with other admission requirements. The Divinity School Admissions Committee will consider such applications on an individual basis, and may establish certain conditions which the student must achieve in order to have the provisional status removed. Applicants with a college cumulative grade point average below 2.5 on a 4.0 scale may be accepted provisionally on an individual basis.

In order to eventually earn “Full Status” admission, the degree-seeking “Provisional Student” must meet any special conditions attached to his/her admission by the Dean of the College of Christian Studies; no later than upon the completion of 15 credit hours of graduate work. The Divinity School Admissions Committee may grant “Full Status” admission to a “Provisional Student” when he/she satisfactorily completes prescribed conditions. (The student’s grades and participation in the program courses will factor strongly in the Committee’s decision.)

Non-degree Seeking Students

A limited number of students who do not have the prerequisites for regular admission may be admitted on a non-degree basis, in order to take courses in the Master of Divinity program without applying those toward a degree. Such applicants must fulfill all steps in the regular application process, while indicating on the application that they are seeking non-degree status. Non-degree students who complete all requirements of the Master of Divinity program will receive a Certificate in Ministry reflecting their completion of the program curriculum, but they will not receive a Master of Divinity or any other degree.

Visitors - A limited number of students may apply to attend individual courses in a Visitor status. Students will not receive academic credit or certification of any kind, and will not participate in graded activities.

Courses of Study

The courses that are offered in the Master of Ministry program are eclectic and stand alone and one is not a prerequisite for another, though students are encouraged to take the three leadership courses in their numerical order, and are encouraged to complete the Communication in Ministry course prior to taking the course in Christian Preaching. A student will be required to complete 42 hours of course work; of these, up to 9 hours may be transferred into the graduate program. No course below the 500 level will be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Courses rotate on a regular sequence to allow a candidate to complete the program in approximately two years. The maximum time for completing the graduate program is five (5) years.

The MMin program requires all students to have and use a computer.

Graduation Requirements

1. The successful completion of 42 hours of course work
2. The fulfillment of all financial obligations
3. The approval of the faculty