Frequent Questions

What is the Doctor of Ministry program?
Why should a pastor or other denominational leader pursue a DMin degree?
Why should a person choose Andrews for their DMin degree?
What makes the Andrews DMin a high-quality program?
What are the requirements for admission?
What courses are used to calculate my GPA?
What if my GPA is below the standard?
When do I need to apply?
How much does it cost?
May my spouse attend a DMin module intensive?
May I attend an intensive if I have not enrolled at Andrews for the DMin program?
May I attend classes beyond those required for my degree?
I've been registered for Program Continuation; what does that mean?
What are the time limits to the program?
Am I charged a project continuation fee in addition to my tuition?
How long is the process for satisfying graduation deadlines, and where will I find that schedule?
May I change concentrations after I have begun my program?
If I change cohorts, will I have to repeat required courses or modules?
If I change cohorts, will I have to pay a second time for courses or modules?
May I substitute a module from a different concentration and continue in my concentration?
What happens if I miss an intensive for my cohort?
Under what circumstances would I be dropped from the program?
What immigration documents are required of non-US citizens to attend intensives in the US?
If I leave the program without completion, what are my options?
May someone who is not a program participant attend an intensive?

1. What is the Doctor of Ministry program?

It is a 32-credit doctoral-level professional program for people in active ministry who wish to develop advanced competencies. The program builds on a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent. There are four modules, a project seminar, and the project which is integrated into the program. Each module generally takes a year for a person in full-time ministry to complete. Much of the learning design is embedded in ministry activity and reflection. A two- or three-weekcontact teaching portion within each module is presented at various North American sites; a longer intensive for international sites. Presently, concentrations are offered in Chaplaincy, Discipleship and Biblical Spirituality, Evangelism and Church Growth, Family Ministry, Leadership, Missional Church, Organizational Leadership, Preaching, Urban Ministry, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. The Pastoral Ministry Spoanish concentration is offered with Spanish as the language of instruction.

2. Why should a pastor or other denominational leader pursue a Doctor of Ministry degree?

Participants have the opportunity to...

Deepen their spirituality, leading to enrichment of personal and family life and a greater commitment to ministry;
Understand the biblical model of leadership and to develop competencies contributing to the strengthening of an Adventist perspective of evangelism, mission, and ministry;
Experience personal and professional transformation;
Learn to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection, aiding in the formation of a biblical model of servant leadership;
Learn to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of churches and communities, to facilitate more effective ministry;
Develop a global view of ministry.

3. Why should a person choose Andrews for their DMin degree?

A person should choose the best program available for their particular needs. Our program mission responds to the needs of Adventist ministry: "Prompted by the promise of Christ's soon return, the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University is designed to develop spiritually mature and responsible professionals in ministry for worldwide church leadership." We offer focused concentrations in key areas of ministry. Andrews is striving to be the best. Our graduates become part of an alumni community unique within our church, and our graduates have favored access to the intensives in DMin modules to advance their lifelong learning.

4. What makes Andrews a high-quality program?

The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University offers one of the most rigorous options for a Doctor of Ministry degree. The first goal of four in our master plan is "Quality Education." We have taken several steps to assure quality:

Academic and practitioner faculty teams
Year-long modules with two- or three-week intensives
Ministry-embedded curriculum for active professionals
Cohort-based delivery
Learning communities within the cohort
A ministry development plan
Professional projects
Field research

The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

5. What are the requirements for admission?

Always check with the current bulletin for the appropriate admission requirements. In summary, they are:

You must be active in professional ministry.
You need to have three years of experience following your first graduate theological degree (limited exceptions are possible).
The DMin program requires an MDiv degree or equivalent. See the location on this website titled Master of Divinity Equivalency for further detail on MDiv equivalency.
The required minimum GPA is 3.25
You must have positive recommendations.
A paper that gives evidence of writing ability and your purpose in seeking the degree.

6. What courses are used to calculate my GPA?

The GPA is calculated on your MDiv or its equivalent work. In the event that you have a masters degree and additional courses to satisfy the equivalency standard, the averaged GPA for all ministerial/theological graduate work applying to the equivalency is considered.

7. What if my GPA is below the standard?

If your GPA is lower than 3.25 but not lower than 3.0 you may be considered for admission on a provisional basis. If your GPA is lower than 3.0 but not lower than 2.75 you may be considered for admission after satisfying the minimum 3.25 GPA for 9 graduate level ministerial/theological courses taken as remedial work prior to action on your application.

8. When do I need to apply?

Begin the application process at least six months prior to the start of your anticipated first intensive; for international applicants, begin twelve months prior. No applications will be considered if begun less than 60 days prior to your first intensive. Please note that pre-intensive reading must be completed prior to the first intensive, and before the project seminar, regardless of when your application process began.

9. How much does it cost?

There is a 62% reduction from the full AU doctoral tuition charge. Further, many unions and conferences assist, usually 1/3 each, wiht the already-reduced tuition. Most conferences help with the few small additional fees, travel, and books. Assistance does vary in diverse fields. International cohorts have contracted rates.

10. May spouses attend an intensive?

Yes! The Andrews Doctor of Ministry welcomes spouses to participate in teaching intensives. They need to notify the Doctor of Ministry office that they will be present as attending spouses. There is no academic or CEU credit, but there is also no tuition fee for such an arrangement. Of course, additional travel, food, and lodging costs will be your responsibility.

11. May I attend an intensive if I have not enrolled at Andrews for the DMin program?

Sorry! No. Only enrolled Doctor of Ministry participants, their spouses, or program graduates may attend intensives. Exceptions are made in certain circumstances only for participants who applied prior to the application deadline for a new cohort but whose application process has not been completed. The DMin office advises students whose application process is ongoing that attendance does not guarantee acceptance, and the student assumes financial responsibility.

12. I'm interested in many subjects; may I attend classes beyond those required for my degree?

Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry program may continue to take advantage of professional enrichment opportunities in the DMin program. Alumni may attend, at no additional charge, as many additional intensives as they wish. There will be no audit or CEU credits.

This benefit is also open to those who have completed the required number of module credits for a degree (26), but have not yet finished a project. Alumni must notify the DMin office in advance.

13. I've been registered for program continuation; what does that mean?

In order to keep you active in the Andrews registration system, you will be registered every semester you are in the program, either for credits (in the terms you attend intensives) or for program continuation (zero credits and zero tuition for the semesters between intensives). This will give you unobstructed access to university services including the library. Another important benefit is that it keeps student loans in deferred status. This registration is not optional--you are expected to secure financial clearance so you can be registered every term you are in the program.

14. What are the time limits to the program?

You have six years to complete the program. Your official starting date is the first day of the intensive of your first module. The program time limit is satisfied when your advisor and second reader confirm that your project is ready for the oral assessment event, and all module deferred grades (including the project seminar) have been cleared.

15. Am I charged a project continuation fee in addition to my tuition?

Yes. That charge begins two semesters after the end of the semester in which your last intensive occurred. It stops with the beginning of the semester after your advisor and second reader affirm your project is ready for the oral assessment event, and all other module and project seminar grades have been entered, assuming notification has occurred in the time frame published under completion deadlines on this web site.

16. How long is the process for satisfying graduation deadlines, and where will I find that schedule?

From the time your advisor and second reader notify the Doctor of Ministry office that your project is ready for the oral assessment event until your actual graduation is approximately ten months. Carefully review the announced completion deadline schedule posted on the Doctor of Ministry web site. It constitutes the current policy.

17. May I change concentrations after I have begun my program?

Yes, you can. You would begin from the start with the new cohort in your new concentration. A participant may have three years in the process of transitioning to a new cohort on 0 credit program registration while they await the launch of the new cohort. That time frame starts with the beginning of the second semester after the last intensive they were registered for. Six years are allowed to complete the program, and the time limit will be reset with the start of your new concentration and cohort. Registration with your new cohort will require financial clearance for all previous work. You must take all modules with your new cohort, including GSEM706 and GSEM790. If you have received a grade of B or better for a module, including GSEM706 and GSEM790, you may retake them without registration or tuition charge. If the grade for the first time you took the module is below a B, you must re-register, and tuition for the repeat registraton will be charged.

18. If I change cohorts will I have to repeat required modules?

Yes. Your educational experience is largely an outcome of relational learning dynamics with your cohort and group. For that reason you are required to go through the entire program with your cohort. Although you must attend the intensives, you will not be registered for modules you completed at an earlier date if you received a grade of B or better. However, you must do any reading assignments not included in the earlier module, and resubmit your project chapter as required during that module. All assignments for GSEM790 will be required to be submitted. If you have taken a module at an earlier date, but did not receive a B or better, you must be registered and pay current tuition rates. A module may be repeated only once in this manner.

19. If I change cohorts will I have to pay a second time for the same required modules?

You do not have to pay twice for the same module, assuming a grade of B or better was earned.

20. May I substitute a module from a different concentration and continue in my concentration?

No, since the educational experience includes the relational contacts with your cohort and work group, you may not make such substitutions. You are able to attend other intensives as an alumnus once you have completed 26 credits.

21. What happens if I miss an intensive for my cohort?

Intensives are required and the dates are announced long before you enroll for the program. You are required to attend each intensive, and no absences are granted. If you should become seriously ill or a member of your immediate household is hospitalized requiring your attention, you may speak to your lead faculty and request approval to do further study to make up for limited contact time lost in the intensive. You will be required to fulfill the usual assignments for that module in your cohort, as arranged. Your lead faculty may suggest an independent study registration if several days of an intensive are missed. Independent study credits are limited in the program.

22. Under what circumstances would I be dropped from the program?

Reasons students are dropped from the Doctor of Ministry program include missing an intensive, missing assignment due dates for a module or the project seminar, exceeding the program timelines, voluntary withdrawal, failing to meet academic standards, or inactivity.

23. What immigration documents are required of non-US citizens to attend intensives in the US?

Program participants who are not United States citizens or permanent residents must make sure their immigration documents are in order before traveling to the United States each year for intensives. Current United States government policy requires a current I-20 document which is issued by Andrews at the student's initiative and must be renewed for each year's trip; and usually, a student visa is also required. You cannot be allowed to register for academic credits unless you have the proper documentation.

24. If I leave the program without completion, what are my options?

If 26 credits of course work have been completed with only the project not completed, you may qualify to receive a post-graduate certificate. Persons who have left the program may reapply to start over from the beginning with a new cohort. Any previously earned credits with a grade of B or better that are repeated in the curriculum for the new cohort are not registered and charged again. However, you will be expected to attend and participate fully in all scheduled modules and courses with the new cohort.

25. May someone who is not a program participant attend an intensive?

No. The exception is your spouse or a program graduate availing themselves of the life-long learning benefit the program provides.

9/10/2014