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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Below are the requirements to be admitted into each program.

 

Master Degree Requirements

Application packet includes:

  • Master degree program application
  • $45 Application fee (non-refundable)
  • 3 Reference forms (1 clergy, 1 lay, 1 academic or professional)
  • Official transcript/s from all colleges, universities, and graduate schools ever attended
  • Personal Essay: three to five typed, double-spaced pages including: (1) brief biography, (2) a narrative of your spiritual journey, (3) why is a seminary education at MTS important to you and (4) what do you hope this degree at MTS will do to help you contribute to the betterment of the church and broader society?

For admission to the Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM), the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.50 on a 4.0 scale. This degree must be from a college/university accredited by a regional accrediting association. No particular major is required for admission.

Doctor of Ministry Requirements

Application packet includes:

  • Doctor of Ministry degree program application
  • $65 Application fee (non-refundable)
  • 3 Recommendation forms
  • Official transcript/s from all colleges, universities, and graduate schools ever attended
  • Reflection Paper: five to eight typed, double-spaced pages including: (1) brief biography, (2) a statement of your theology of ministry, and (3) an assessment of your practice of ministry.

For admission to the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program, the applicant must have a Masters degree in a ministry related area with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or must meet the requirements of Master of Divinity equivalency (see Academic Catalog). Final decisions on Masters degree in a ministry related area equivalency are made by the Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies.

Former Student Requirements

Application packet includes:

  • Former Student application
  • $45 Application fee (waived)
  • 3 Reference forms (1 clergy, 1 lay, 1 academic or professional)
  • Official transcript/s from all colleges, universities, and graduate schools ever attended (former student should check with admissions to see if we already have transcripts before ordering new transcripts)
  • Personal Essay: three to five typed, double-spaced pages including: (1) brief biography, (2) a narrative of your spiritual journey, (3) why is a seminary education at MTS important to you and (4) what do you hope this degree at MTS will do to help you contribute to the betterment of the church and broader society?

Non-Degree Requirements

Application packet includes:

  • Non-Degree application
  • $15 Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Official transcript/s from all colleges, universities, and graduate schools ever attended

Non-degree seeking students are those who are pursuing studies not directed toward graduation and who take a class for credit. Individuals wishing to take classes on a non-degree basis are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and to complete all admission procedures. Non-degree seeking students may receive academic credit for up to twelve credit hours before being required to commit to a degree program.

Pre-Seminary Requirements

Application packet includes:
  • Pre-Seminary Program application
  • 3 Reference forms (1 pastor, 1 lay, 1 professional)
  • An essay that shares your call to ministry story, that addresses why you desire theological studies for ministry in order to respond to that call and what life experience you have that points to your capacity for graduate level theological studies
Applicant must be at least 40 years or older, no bachelors degree in order to apply for the Pre-Seminary Program. For more information on this program, click here. View our flyer by clicking here.

Auditor Requirements

Application packet includes:

  • Auditor application
  • $15 Application fee (non-refundable)

Members of the community (and current students, too) are welcome to audit any master’s level course on the course schedule. Auditors do not earn academic credit. Auditors attend the scheduled classes and learn alongside other students, but are not responsible for assignments.

Certificate in Foundations for Ministry Requirements

Application packet includes:
  • Certificate in Foundations for Ministry application
  • $15 Application fee (non-refundable)
The Certificate in Foundations for Ministry is designed for persons without a bachelor’s degree who seek theological education to provide a foundation for ministry. Graduate credit is not given for courses in the Certificate in Foundations for Ministry program.

Certificate in Spiritual Direction Requirements

Application packet includes:
  • Completed Application
  • Personal essay: 3-5 typed, double-spaced pages, and in your essay respond to the following questions:
  • -What motivates you to become a spiritual director? -What skills and gifts do you possess that will contribute to your ministry as a spiritual director? -What are the spiritual disciplines that you regularly call on in your life of faith?
  • An entrance interview with the program director, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Patton. Contact: spatton@memphisseminary.edu
  • Application fee of $15.00. This fee is non-refundable.
  • Deadlines for application are: Fall Semester – May 31 for Early Admission, Aug 13 for Final Admission, Spring Semester Nov 30 for Early Admission, and Jan 19 for Final Admission

If you are considering applying for a Masters program AND your Undergraduate GPA is under 2.5, contact admissions@memphisseminary.edu to schedule placement testing.

Transcripts
You will need to send official transcript/s from all colleges, universities, and graduate schools you have ever attended. All transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to MTS Admissions.

To streamline your transcript process you can use these sites that send transcripts for most colleges/universities:
https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org OR https://www.parchment.com

If you attended a closed school in TN, use this link to retrieve your transcript:
https://dpsa-forms.tn.gov/Forms/transreqstudents

Please have transcripts emailed to Admissions@MemphisSeminary.edu. If schools are mailing transcripts, please have them mailed to:

Office of Admissions
Memphis Theological Seminary
168 East Parkway South
Memphis, TN 38104

Click below for pdf applications

Important Admission and Financial Aid dates 

NOTICE: If you intend to apply for scholarships as an incoming student you MUST meet the early application deadline.

 

August 13, 2023
Fall 2023 Admission deadline for Masters & Certificate programs
August 21-24, 2023
Fall 2023 Orientation and Residency I for New MDiv & MACM
August 21, 2023
First day of Fall 2023 Classes
October 1, 2023
2024-2025 FAFSA Opens
MTS School Code G10529
December 31, 2023
Spring 2024 Scholarship Application deadline
& Spring 2024 Early Admission deadline
January 19, 2024
Spring 2024 Admission deadline
January 19, 2024
Spring 2024 New Student Orientation (Virtual)
January 22, 2024
First Day of Spring 2024 Classes
April 30, 2024
Admission deadline for DMin program
May 31, 2024
Fall 2024 Scholarship Application
deadline & Fall 2024 Early Admission deadline
for Masters &

Certificate programs
August 1, 2024
Fall 2024 admission deadline for Master's &
Certificate programs
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Admissions Department
We appreciate your interest in Memphis Theological Seminary. The MTS admissions staff is committed to supporting you in your theological journey. We are here to help you while you are discerning your call, considering degree and certificate options, and supporting you as you do ministry in the real world. At MTS we are committed to educating and sustaining men and women for ordained and lay ministry in the church and the world through shaping and inspiring lives devoted to scholarship, piety, and justice. Please don’t hesitate to ask how we can assist you along in your journey.

BarryAnderson

Latasha Phillips

1 (901) 334 5841

lphillips@memphisseminary.edu
Enrollment Services Associate

FekeciaGunn

1 (901) 334 5887

flgunn@memphisseminary.edu
Associate Dean for Students