Garrett-Evangelical News

Mission in the Contemporary United States

The local congregation in the United States today is better understood as a mission outpost than as a "neighborhood church." The Garrett-Evangelical Mission in the Contemporary United States track understands this, and offers students the ability to analyze the culture and the church like a missionary so that they can effectively lead their congregations in engaging the people around them. Courses will vary from sociology of American religion to theology of evangelism. More than just theoretical, students will evaluate case studies from local congregations to consider what the best practices of mission-based ministry would be in specific situations.

Please note that this track is offered on alternating years. The program will next accept applicants for the January 2013-2014 academic term.   

Admissions

Admissions Requirements:

  • Applicants must have earned a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or its equivalent.

    Most master's degrees that are not MDivs require at least some additional theology courses for students to meet MDiv equivalency. Please feel free to contact the Registrar's Office to have your transcript evaluated for equivalency.
  • Applicants must have completed at least three years of full-time ministry following the awarding of that degree.

    Applicants do not, however, have to be ordained nor does the ministry have to be in a parish setting.
  • Applicants must be serving in a ministry setting in which the applicant could direct a ministry intervention as part of the final DMin project.

    It is important that applicants have both the access to and support of a ministry setting in which they can complete their final project. This setting could be a parish church, a cluster of local congregations, an annual conference or judicatory, or any other setting appropriate to the practice of ministry being studied by the applicant.

International Student Applicants

The DMin Program offers coursework in intensive sessions twice a year. This schedule has implications for international students and visa applications. Therefore, we are unable to offer F-1 visas for Doctor of Ministy students.

A completed application consists of:

  • Application Form
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Biographical Essay
  • Sample of Writing
  • 3 letters of reference
  • Ministry site Endorsement Letter
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended
  • $75 application fee
  • Background check (conducted by the seminary, may take up to two weeks to complete)
  • Additional financial and church documents are required of international students in order to satisfy internal and federal requirements.

Detailed information for the application requirements can be found on the online application.

The Doctor of Ministry committee reserves the right to determine in its sole judgment whether an applicant is a suitable candidate for a specific concentration in the DMin program.

Graduation

DMin Degree - 30 semester hours
DMin Degree Grid

The following are a list of courses that are commonly offered as part of this track:

  • "World Evangelism"
  • "Evangelism, Church Growth, and Ecclesiology"
  • "Stewardship and Institutional Development"
  • "Reading the Culture"
  • "Leadership for Pastor and Laity"

Schedule

The program is offered primarily in January and summer two-week intensives, with course preparation before and after course completion.

Sample Schedule (based on school years beginning with the Fall semester):

Year 1:
Fall - Submit application by 1 October, notified of admission by 1 November
January - Attend two courses
Summer - Attend two courses

Year 2:
January - Attend two courses
Summer - Attend two courses and begin work on mid-program material

Year 3:
Fall - Submit mid-program material for approval and begin ministry intervention
January - Complete ministry intervention and begin writing final ministry project paper
Spring - Complete and defend final ministry project paper

UMC Logo Garrett-Evangelical, a seminary related to
The United Methodist Church, welcomes
students from a wide range of faith traditions.