No items found.
The Master of Sacred Theology degree at ULS, in compliance with the Association of Theological Schools’ (ATS) standard (4.10), requires a MDiv or equivalent theological degree providing at least 24 semester credits or equivalent units and a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Normally the admission requirements for the DMin program at ULS are a MDiv degree from an accredited seminary or divinity school with a GPA of 3.0 or above and at least three years of ministry experience in an appropriate1 ministry site, post the receipt of their MDiv.
Special consideration can also be given to students who have a master’s degree, but not an MDiv. Those students will be assessed based on the six criteria given in the ATS standard for the DMin degree (5.5).Those criteria are as follows:
(a) the ability to thoughtfully interpret scripture and the theological tradition of one’s ministry context,
(b) the capacity to understand and adapt one’s ministry to the cultural context,
(c) a basic self-understanding of one’s ministerial identity and vocational calling,
(d) a readiness to engage in ongoing personal and spiritual formation for one’s ministry,
(e) an accredited master’s degree (or its educational equivalent) in an area related to one’s ministry setting or vocational calling, and
(f) significant ministerial experience that enables the applicant to engage as a ministry peer with other students in this advanced professional doctorate. Such a student should describe in their admissions essay how they meet each of these criteria. They should also include a resume of their ministerial experience and a description of their ministry site. Their case will be evaluated by the Director of the Graduate School in collaboration with the Graduate Studies Committee. Such students may be asked to take some additional coursework at the MDiv level to be specified when a positive admission decision is given. A justification for admission will be written by the Director of the Graduate School and added to the student’s file.
Special consideration can also be given to students who do not have three years of ministry experience since the completion of their MDiv if their traditions authorize them to leadership positions without an MDiv. In their case, ministry experience prior to the completion of an MDiv will be counted. A student in this circumstance should submit a resume of their experience along with their application and transcripts. Their case will be evaluated by the Director of the Graduate School in collaboration with the Graduate Studies Committee. A justification for admission will be written by the Director of the Graduate School and added to the student’s file.
1 An appropriate ministry site can be either professional or volunteer, but it must be collaborative and demonstrable. Examples include pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, working with an outreach ministry of some sort in a professional or volunteer capacity, working with a group in an online ministry, etc.
