Since 2006, Gordon-Conwell has been pleased to provide qualified military chaplains with advanced standing in our Doctor of Ministry program.
Advanced standing enables chaplains to join their quality military training with the renowned theological education of Gordon-Conwell by attending two residencies, instead of three, and paying two years of tuition, instead of three.
Advanced training through the military is necessary for eligibility:
Through three specialized residencies, Pastoral Theology in Practice addresses three keys to effective ministry; Proclaiming the Word, Deepening the Call, and Caring for the Flock.
Advanced standing provides credit towards one residency, allowing the chaplain to choose which two to focus on. Carefully apply for the starting point that consecutively completes two preferred residences (see the planning chart below, and you are welcome to confirm any detail with our admissions manager). The exception to the consecutive residency rule applies for deployment.
Entry Points are every year: Charlotte (February), Liderazgo Pastoral (July), and Hamilton (October). Each entry point begins a new cohort, switching from one cohort to another is not allowed.
| Year | Proclaiming the Word | Deepening the Call | Caring for the Flock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Charlotte | Liderazgo Pastoral | Hamilton |
| 2024 | Hamilton | Charlotte | Liderazgo Pastoral |
| 2025 | Liderazgo Pastoral | Hamilton | Charlotte |
Qualified chaplains may apply for Advanced Standing before their second residency.
Proof of completion of advanced training through the military must be submitted with the notice that you intend to apply for advanced standing; this can be in official copies of training records or a confirmation letter from a commanding officer.
Those applying after finishing advanced training through the military have all track options as listed below. Intentions to apply for advanced standing must be indicated during the regular application process. In this application process, qualified chaplains may submit an abbreviated application; shorter essays, and one recommendation instead of three. Requirements for official transcripts, the application fee, and a current ministry context letter of endorsement remain.
Those applying before finishing advanced training in the military are not eligible to apply for advanced standing during the application process. It is possible later, however, to apply for the advanced standing benefit – if training finishes before the second DMIN residency. To petition for advanced standing after beginning the DMIN journey, a student must be in a benefit-participating track and submit the required proof document. This petition must be made before the start of the second DMIN residency.
Approval to advanced standing is required prior to the second residency.
Chaplains may count reading and submit written work done as part of their advanced chaplain training to fulfill this assignment. This assignment requires the completion of a project, including an annotated bibliography for approximately 2,000 pages of reading from the omitted residency and an advanced standing project, as shown in the samples below.
A combination of assignments from the preaching residency (pre- and post-residency) will be required, including submitting outlines of two sermons on specified texts, and utilizing group evaluations.
A paper reflecting a personal leadership theology; geared to reflecting and examining intentionally personal development and areas of needed growth as a leader. Insights from psychological assessment instruments done with advanced ministry training may be included in the paper.
A case study handled in your capacity as a chaplain on a pastoral counseling issue. Guidelines for the case study will follow those required in the syllabus in preparation for the residency.