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