Doctor of Ministry in Discipleship and Christian Education

Admissions

Admissions Prerequisites

To be considered for the D.Min. or D.Ed.Min. program, we require the following for applications:

• Unless otherwise stated below, most D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. degrees require a regionally-accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) totaling no fewer than 48 hours, with at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies and at least twelve hours in leadership, administration, education, or ministry studies, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
  • The D.Min. and D.Ed.Min in Biblical Counseling requires a regionally-accredited master’s degree (M.Div., MACE., or M.A.) totaling no fewer than 48 hours, with at least twelve hours in biblical or theological studies, at least nine hours in leadership, administration, education, or ministry studies, and at least three hours in counseling, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
  • The D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. in Biblical Theology, Expository Preaching, New Testament Exposition and Old Testament Exposition require a 72 hour Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. The M.Div. degree, or its equivalent, must be from an accredited institution including the study of both Hebrew and Greek, with a GPA of at least a B (3.0).
• Students who do not meet the criteria listed above but have existing masters-level credit may submit a doctoral equivalency evaluation to the admissions office. They may then attend Southern Seminary as a Doctoral Leveling student (fully online or on-campus) and complete the appropriate courses to qualify for admission into the program.
• International transcripts will require an official evaluation from a NACES approved organization (World Evaluation Services is preferred).

Application Requirements

• All applicants must receive a reference from the local church where they are a member. Family members may not complete this reference. If you are the pastor of your church, please select another church leader (associate pastor, elder, deacon, etc.) to complete the church recommendation. You will enter your recommender’s information on the “Recommendations” tab of the application.
• Two additional recommendations. We suggest that a professor or a business acquaintance who can speak to academic performance complete the 2 additional recommendation forms required for doctoral students.
• Transcription from the educational institution or institutions that conferred any required degrees should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Contact the registrar or academic records office of your previous institution(s). They may e-mail the transcripts (directly or via 3rd party such as Parchment) to admissions@sbts.edu or mail copies to our physical address. Transcripts must come directly from schools either electronically or in sealed/unopened envelopes.
• Complete a Ministry Field Essay (click here to access Ministry Field Essay prompts) of 750-1,000 words in response to a case calling for the application of biblical and theological insights into a ministry situation. You may upload your field essay directly onto the application.
• Submit a Ministry Resume outlining your present and past ministry experience. You may upload your ministry directly onto the application.
• $40 application fee – paid after application submission.
• Non-native English speakers, including those who have graduated from any U.S. school, must submit an official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores must meet a minimum of 90 for DMin or DEdMin programs.

Application Deadlines

• March 15 – Summer entry
• October 15 – Winter entry

This program of study is also offered as a 46 hour Doctor of Educational Ministry degree.