Nazarene Theological Seminary

Admission Requirements

• An earned Master of Divinity degree from an accredited program with minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • If an applicant has earned a non-M.Div. masters-level theological degree, transcripts of that degree along with any other masters-level work can be evaluated by the NTS Registrar to determine M.Div. Equivalency – for more information about M.Div. Equivalence contact the Office of Admissions at 1.800.831.3011
  • Applicants with a G.P.A. less than 3.0 may submit a letter of petition to the Doctor of Ministry Committee making a case for special consideration, accompanied by any corroborating documentation.
• A minimum of three years full-time ministerial experience following the awarding of the first graduate theological degree. Exceptions may be made in cases where an M.Div. was earned while in a full-time ministerial role.
• Current professional full-time ministry position that can serve as the context for the D.Min. experience throughout the program.

Application Materials and Process

A completed application file consists of the following:

• Application Form completed and signed (online version)
• $25.00 Nonrefundable Application Fee
• Three Completed Reference Forms
  • Ecclesial Employer/Supervisor – the person to whom the applicant is most directly accountable in the current ministry context, i.e. District Superintendant
  • Academic Professor– a person from the applicants graduate theological program
  • Layperson in Ministry Setting
  • Recommenders should know the applicant well and be able to provide an honest assessment of character and professional competencies.  The applicant must list them on the Application Form and provide each with the specific corresponding Reference Form in a timely fashion (online application automatically distributes forms to email addresses provided).  The recommender must use the designated form but is welcome to submit a supplemental letter.  The applicant is welcome to so solicit other letters of reference in addition to the three required.
• Official Transcripts – Official transcripts detailing previous academic study from all universities or colleges attended, em­bossed with the school seal, sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Admissions at NTS.
• Personal and Professional Identity Paper - A 1,500-3,000 word typed Paper that includes:
  1. An overview of your personal spiritual and leadership journey with reference to all ministry experience, including your current context.
  2. A description/list of your continuing education endeavors since completion of masters-level work (e.g.,  seminars/workshops attended, reading lists, etc.)
  3. An articulation of the theology that undergirds your ministry, with references to particular thinkers and writers who shape your theological understanding and framework (minimum of 750 words).
  4. An evaluation of your current professional and educational competence and goals.
  5. A rationale for pursuing the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program, i.e., your vision for how the Program will contribute to your personal and professional development in your current ministry context.
  6. Any desired specialization or focus for your studies and the Pastoral Research Project.
  • The Paper should demonstrate your ability to: organize your written thoughts clearly and coherently, using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., as well as appropriate and consistent form and style.  Citations of sources should include full bibliographic information.
  • Applicants with less than the 3.0/4.0 GPA requirement will be required to submit an additional academic paper.  Instructions will be supplied in the event this is necessary.

Note: Army Chaplains who apply for admission to the program can take advantage of the following provisions to streamline the standard process:

• The applicant’s last two Officer Efficiency Reports (OERs) can be submitted in lieu of the standard references
• The applicant can submit a written sample from the Chaplain Captain Career Course (C4) work in lieu of the standard Essay 

Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis by the Doctor of Ministry Committee when files are complete.  Application forms can be downloaded or obtained from the Office of Admissions - 1.800.831.3011 ext. 5452 - enroll@nts.edu.

Program Acceptance and Enrollment

Completed applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Doctor of Ministry Committee.  This evaluation will also include:

1. A required interview of the applicant by a graduate of the program (in person or by phone) in advance of the Committee meeting wherein the applicant will be considered
2. A possible interview by the Committee (at its discretion, in person or by phone) during the meeting wherein the applicant will be considered.

Doctor of Ministry program application deadlines are April 1 for the Janaury entrance term and November 1 for the June entrance term.  Please refer to the Academic Calendar on the D.Min. website for further information regarding important dates.