• An earned MDiv degree (72-hours) or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• A 3.0 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate-level studies.
• Significant ministry experience demonstrated through a ministry résumé.

• An earned MTS (36-hours) or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• A 3.0 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale for all graduate-level studies.
• Significant ministry experience demonstrated through a ministry resume.

1. Ministry Employment: Applicants must be employed in vocational Christian ministry during the time they are enrolled in the degree. Exceptions can be made for special circumstances, such as missionaries on furlough or international students who will be returning to their home countries to complete the doctoral project.
2. Background Check: Applicants must complete a background check through the Admissions Office.
3. Transcripts: Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degrees.
4. References: Two (2) Confidential Reference forms, one academic and one personal. The academic form must be completed by a professor from whom applicants have completed a graduate level course. The professor must have an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution.
5. Statement of Ministry Endorsement form
6. Current ministry resume
7. A 3-5 page “History of Ministry-Related Experience.” This paper should note specific ministry responsibilities, significant relationships, influential works, and spiritual insights gained from them. It should also include how the specific concentration that students are applying to will enhance their current ministry practice.

Applicants must be approved for general seminary admission prior to consideration by the Professional Doctoral Office. Any former Southwestern student wanting to return for additional studies is asked to complete a re-admission process. An applicant who has not previously attended Southwestern Seminary should comply with current admission standards. Exceptions to any admission requirements must be approved by the Professional Doctoral Studies office prior to the student’s acceptance and enrollment. Due to the institution’s doctrinal convictions, only male students will be considered for Pastoral Theology and Text-Driven Preaching majors in the Doctor of Ministry program.

Those applicants who have not completed an MDiv or ATS approved Master of Arts degree, but have completed another type of Master’s degree, must contact the Professional Doctoral Office to request a transcript evaluation. Some applicants may need to complete leveling work before their Master’s degree can be considered equivalent to the MDiv or Master of Arts degree. Please note that all leveling work must be completed before students can begin seminars.

1. Complete all the steps listed above for the normal application process
2. A transcript from an international institution will require certification to demonstrate its equivalence to graduate-level work in the United States. International applicants must contact and submit their transcripts to SpanTran (www.spantran.com; 2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451, Houston, TX 77057; 713.266.8805; fax: 713.789.6022) for evaluation. The evaluation service sends evaluation results directly to the Office of Admissions.

3. English Program students are also required to submit either TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS scores as part of the application process. The minimum TOEFL score for unconditional admission is 100. The computer-based TOEFL will be accepted if it is less than two years old. The minimum Duolingo score for unconditional admission is 120. The minimum IELTS score for unconditional admission is 7.0. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada and other non-USA citizens who have successfully completed an accredited English language-based Master's degree from a North American institution may petition the Professional Doctoral Office to have this requirement waived. The Office of Professional Doctoral Studies reserves the right to require an English proficiency test in cases where language deficiencies are found to exist even though a waiver could be granted.