DMin Admissions and Requirements

Trinity’s professional doctoral program is for students who have already completed a Master of Divinity degree or it’s equivalent, have a minimum of three years’ full-time ministry experience following completion of the MDiv, and wish to pursue advanced studies in their field of interest.

Application Deadlines and Review Dates

Doctor of Ministry (DMin) applications are reviewed three times per year, corresponding to the three periods in which courses are offered (fall, spring, summer). In each case, a completed application file is required before final action is taken to admit a student to a doctoral program. DMin students may begin their studies during any of the three sessions. Deadlines for receipt of completed application files are as follows:
      June 15           Fall Admission
      October 15      Spring Admission
      February 15    Summer Admission
Application files completed after the deadline will be postponed for review until the next review date.

The application review process begins immediately after the deadline and normally takes three weeks. Subsequent to the review process, applicants are notified by letter of acceptance or denial of admission. Participation in the month-long online program orientation module is then required prior to registration for regular courses.

Application Procedures

In addition to the application form, credentials that are required of all doctoral applicants are outlined in the information section preceding the application in the back of this catalog.

The Admissions Committee may grant admission on the basis of the required credentials alone, or it may request the applicant to submit additional materials. If admitted, the new doctoral student is required to submit a nonrefundable tuition deposit to confirm acceptance of admission.

If the Admissions Committee denies an applicant admission, the applicant may send a letter of appeal to the Admissions Office, which must be received no later than ninety days following the date of the Admissions Committee decision.

Admission Requirements

1. Possess a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited school that maintains academic standards similar to those of Trinity. (Master of Divinity equivalence is defined as an earned master’s degree, including at least 74 semester hours of graduate study in areas closely parallel to Trinity’s MDiv curriculum. Specifically, this should include 12 semester hours of Old Testament, 12 semester hours of New Testament, 12 semester hours of Systematic Theology, 3 semester hours of church history, and 35 semester hours of free electives. On rare occasions, credit may be given for distinguished teaching experience. Students who lack a limited number of these prerequisites may be admitted with a deficiency that must be removed through appropriate master’s course work taken at or through an accredited seminary before enrolling in the fifth DMin course.)
2. Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all master’s work.
3. Have had at least three years of consistent full-time ministry experience after receiving the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. Exceptions may occasionally be made on the basis of extensive ministry experience prior to receiving the MDiv degree. Such exceptions are normally considered on the basis of three years full-time experience prior to the MDiv as equivalent to one year of post MDiv full-time experience.
4. Take the Miller Analogies Test. (The MAT may be waived for those who have achieved an exemplary grade point average in their Master of Divinity program at an accredited seminary.)
5. Have prerequisite study equivalent to 9 semester hours of graduate courses appropriate to the concentration selected.
6. Meet, if an international student, the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations in obtaining an F-1 (student) visa. This requires additional admissions information and paperwork.

Since the program is heavily dependent on computer skills, applicants should be able to use a current word processing program such as WordPerfect or Word. Ownership of a desktop or laptop computer is required, along with Internet and email capabilities.

Special Instructions for International Applicants

All international DMin program students, including Visiting DMin students and students from Canada, are now required to enter the United States with an F-1 visa. DMin residential students (i.e., living in or near Deerfield and taking semester-length courses) must comply with the same visa requirements as residential master’s-level applicants (see Admissions section).

DMin nonresidential students (i.e., commuting to the Deerfield Campus on a course-by-course basis) must also obtain an F-1 visa. Students who enter the United States to pursue the Doctor of Ministry degree without the F-1 visa potentially jeopardize their ability to complete the degree and reenter the United States. F-1 visas will remain valid as long as reentry into the United States for the purposes of study occurs at least once every five (5) months. A new visa will be required if reentry does not occur within this time period.

DMin Candidacy Requirements

1. All prerequisite deficiencies (if any) have been removed.
2. Twenty-seven semester hours of course work, including MN 9550 or MN 9555 (for Missions and Evangelism students), have been completed with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
3. The student’s proposal for the DMin major project has been approved by the Human Rights in Research Committee, the Project Committee, and the Program Director.
4. The student has demonstrated writing skills appropriate to doctoral work and to the successful completion of the major project.
5. The student has demonstrated proficiency in the integration of course work and ministry.

DMin Graduation Requirements

1. Evidence of a working knowledge of the content of the English Bible.
2. Evidence of Christian life and character and recommendation accordingly by the faculty. All students are expected to give evidence of a consistent Christian testimony, a concern for others, and a sincere commitment to Christ such as to qualify for Christian service. The attitudes manifest to other students, professors, and others are to be such as to commend the gospel, strengthen the church, and honor the Lord.

1. The completion of at least 30 semester hours of credit in doctoral courses, with a minimum cumulative grade point average for program course work of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). No more than 9 semester hours of credit may be derived from Guided Research and transfer from other DMin programs.
2. The completion of the DMin major project, including successful oral defense. Major project research constitutes six hours of credit. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years from the time of matriculation. If requested, eleven years may be allowed for those serving in overseas assignments. If degree requirements are not completed within the allowed time limits in effect at matriculation, an extension may be requested through the program director. A continuation fee will be charged for each six-month period in which the degree requirements remain incomplete. Continuation fees may be waived at the recommendation of the Professional Doctoral Committee in extenuating circumstances.
   
   A student who fails to pay the continuation fee must do the following:

a.  Write for reinstatement to the Doctor of Ministry Office

b.  Pay the fee for the time of absence from the program

c.  Resubmit application for the major project topic if such had previously been approved

d.  Apply to the Professional Doctoral Committee for an extension of time to complete the program, giving a new target date for graduation

Updated to 2008-09 Catalog