Doctor of Ministry

If yes, you have met the educational prerequisite and can apply today. If not, which category best describes you?

I have an advanced degree in another discipline (e.g., MBA, M.Ed. or Ph.D.).

In rare cases, an individual can pursue an 18-credit certificate to satisfy the educational prerequisites for D.Min. admission. An individual must satisfy the following three items to be considered for this option:

• Strong academic background in your prior (non-seminary) Master’s or Doctorate program
• Formal theological study from your undergraduate or past programs
• Extensive ministry experience that can be documented in the form of a resume

It is recommended that persons considering this option work with the Admissions office to determine if they would be a good candidate.

This 18-credit graduate-level certificate in Scripture, Theology & Ministry is only offered at Northeastern Seminary. All classes may be completed online and either full-time or part-time. The certificate must normally be completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be academically eligible for admission into the D.Min. program. The certificate will consist of six classes listed below:  
• Introduction to Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching (required)
• The following five Great Conversation classes: Being in the Word, Being in the Story, Being Church, Being Christian, and Being Mission

I have done a prior graduate-level study in theology, biblical studies, or ministry, but do NOT hold an advanced degree.

If you do not have an advanced degree, you will be required to obtain at least a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) before applying to the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. In addition, if your graduate coursework was taken within the last seven years, you may be eligible for transfer credits depending on your prior degree. You may submit an unofficial copy of all your prior graduate work to JP Anderson, Associate Vice President for Seminary Enrollment.

Online or onsite coursework may be completed at Northeastern Seminary or any other ATS-accredited seminary. If classes are taken at another institution, official transcripts must be sent to Northeastern Seminary.

You will want to apply and be accepted into the Certificate program in Scripture, Theology & Ministry before applying to the D.Min. program. You will follow the standard admissions steps for the Certificate program. You have the option to complete the D.Min. application essay as a replacement for your Certificate admissions essay. 

Once you have completed the Certificate program, you may apply to the D.Min. program. Please make note of the following required admissions steps requirements for the D.Min. program: 

• You will need to fulfill three recommendation steps: 
• One faculty recommendation from a Northeastern Seminary professor. This recommendation can be sent from the D.Min. online application.
• One outside recommendation (pastor, minister, bishop, etc.). This may be one of the same people who submitted a recommendation for your Certificate admissions file. In this case, they are recommending you for the Doctor of Ministry program. This recommendation can be sent from the D.Min. online application.
• If you haven’t already, you will need to meet with the Director of the D.Min. program who will provide a third recommendation to the Office of Admissions on your behalf. The Director may request to meet with you if they haven’t met you already.  
• We will use the transcript(s) that was submitted for the Certificate program for the D.Min. program. We will also pull your transcript with your grades from the Certificate program into your admissions file once you have started applying to the D.Min. program. 

If you complete the D.Min. Application Essay as part of your Certificate admissions essay, we can use this essay as part of your D.Min. admissions file (this is optional).

D.Min. classes will occasionally assign personal retreat and reflection as part of the coursework. In addition, all students will be eligible to take part in seminary spiritual formation weeks and formation groups.

Unique course offerings provide students-focused time with visiting faculty such as MaryKate Morse, Christena Cleveland, Soong-Chan Rah, Andy Crouch, Frank Thomas, Ruth Haley Barton, and Leith Anderson. 

Learning at the doctoral level is enhanced by the opportunity to be part of a small, highly selective group of peers in ministry and to form valuable relationships with the faculty members who guide the class.

Entering D.Min. students experience an extensive, personal, and professional assessment that is formative in nature. 

Final projects encourage students to invest in their context. Students partner with faculty and advising experts to conduct applied research and publish and present the results for others to learn from.