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Admissions

Admission Policies

DMin applicants are required to meet admission standards which are both general to the School of Divinity and specific to the degree program. The processes for admission are described in detail as follows.

Requirements for Full Admission

  1. Completion of the Master of Divinity degree with biblical languages (or equivalent) from an ATS-accredited institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.00 on 4.0 scale) and successful completion of one course in biblical Greek and another in biblical Hebrew.
  2. Three years of significant ministerial experience beyond the first graduate theological degree.
  3. Expression of purpose for attaining the Doctor of Ministry degree.
  4. Placement in a full-time vocational ministry setting.
  5. A satisfactory Criminal Record Check for all states of residence in the past five (5) years, submitted with a residence verification statement. Criminal background histories obtained for employment purposes are not acceptable. Information received regarding criminal background histories will be added to the student's academic file. Any convictions or pending charges will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Any new allegations or charges after the check must be reported immediately to the School of Divinity Enrollment Development Officer and the Dean of the School of Divinity. Failure to report allegations of such charges may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Criteria for Admission

  • Academic ability
  • Theological preparation and readiness for advanced ministry studies
  • Ministerial experience and maturity
  • Personal and professional integrity

Procedure for Admission

  1. Request application materials from the Office of Graduate Admissions, or go to: https://gardner-webb.edu/apply/apply-graduate/apply-graduate-divinity/.
  2. Submit a completed Application for Admission with a non-refundable application fee to Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Box 7308, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC 28017. Applications for any Fall term may be submitted by August 1. Applications for any Spring term may be submitted by January 1.
  3. Request official transcripts from the institution at which the masters degree was conferred to be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  4. Submit three recommendations (academic, ministerial, and personal) on the forms provided.
  5. Submit a completed Church Recommendation Form from the applicant's church at which they are currently serving.
  6. Submit a 10-15 page double-spaced ministry essay that discusses the applicant’s call to ministry, theology of ministry, history in ministry, goals for ministry, and how they believe earning the DMin will enrich their ministry.
  7. Submit a completed Immunization History Form.
  8. Provide proof of a satisfactory criminal background record check for all states of residence for the past five (5) years with a residence verification statement.
  9. Applicants whose primary language is not English must take the TOEFL exam with a minimum acceptable score of 550 (paper-based).
  10. In some cases, applicants will be asked to visit with the DMin Admissions Committee for a personal interview. At this interview the applicant will be given the opportunity to share his/her understanding of ministry and the DMin. Based on the applicant’s submitted materials, the DMin Admissions Committee will dialogue with the applicant to assess his/her readiness for DMin study.

Provisional Admission

In some cases as determined on an individual basis, Provisional Admission may be granted when an applicant does not fully meet the criteria for admission.

At the end of the first semester of enrollment, the Admissions Committee will review the status of all individuals admitted provisionally and will (1) grant full admission to the degree program, or (2) terminate student status.

Acceptance for Admission

  1. The DMin Admissions Committee, consisting of the Dean or the Associate Dean of the School of Divinity, the Director of the DMin program, and the Enrollment Development Officer of the School of Divinity, will meet concerning each applicant. The candidate's readiness for DMin studies will be evaluated on the basis of the materials submitted and possibly a personal interview if recommended by the Admissions Committee.
  2. Evaluation of applications will be based on the criteria listed above under "Criteria for Admission."

Deadlines for Admission

  1. Candidates must complete the admission criteria as listed above by sending all information to the Enrollment Development Officer by April 14 prior to Fall matriculation. This ensures consideration for acceptance into the program. Applications may also be submitted for admission in the Spring semester. Contact the Enrollment Development Officer for appropriate application deadlines.
  2. Completed applications received after April 1 are NOT guaranteed consideration for the program.

Mailing Address

Office of Graduate Admissions

Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity

Campus Box 7308

Boiling Springs, NC 28017

Notification of Admission

Candidates for the DMin program will be notified of their admission status on or before May 15 prior to Fall matriculation. Because of the confidential nature of some items of information required for admission, the University reserves the right to reject any application without stating a reason.