Thank you for considering Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree. We are so honored you are here and would like to share important information as you discern this next step in your ministry career. We publish soft application deadlines in our track schedule. These deadlines are generally 6 months before the first residency and when the syllabus becomes available. For best success, you will need to start your application at least 6-8 months before the first residency date. The application process can take 1-2 months and if you are accepted, the syllabus includes at least 3-5,000 pages of reading and 1-2 writing assignments.
*Doctoral tracks run every 3 years with the exception of Pastoral Theology in Practice (Hamilton and Charlotte cohorts), which is open to new applications every year. 2025 is a big launching year for many of these 3-year tracks so please apply as soon as possible as space can be limited. Don’t wait another 3 years for a track that currently fits you and your ministry context.
Are you eligible to apply? You must have a Master of Divinity or its equivalent to apply and a GPA of at least 3.0. An MDIV-equivalent degree is a theological degree that is at least 72 credits across 4 categories: Biblical Studies, Christian Thought, Practical Theology and Electives. If you are in doubt if your degree is MDIV-equivalent, send transcripts to [email protected]. You are eligible to apply if you have at least 60 credits.
Application
Begin your application in our online application portal.
Please note that you can still use the online portal when the track you intend to apply for is not yet an option. To do this: pick any track to proceed through the portal, and list your actual track choice in one of the essays you submit with the application. My team will see your note and send you a confirmation email of the correct track listed with your application.
Please pay the $75 application fee with your application. Upon submitting, you will be prompted to pay the application fee. You may use a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. *If you are a current GCTS student, graduate, or member of the U.S. Military Forces, your application fee may be waived. If you are an international student, you may click on this link, which takes you to Flywire. Select “Applicant” as the designated person filling out the form and choose “Application Fee” as the payment type.
For more information, contact an admissions representative at [email protected].
You may download the .pdf forms in the language the track you are applying for is taught with these links: Spanish (Español), Korean-GCI, or Mandarin.
Essays
Two essays are required for the application document, written in the language the track is taught.
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- Autobiography (1-2 pages) sharing significant people/factors/events that shaped the applicant
- Personal Statement (1-2 pages) briefly sharing: (a) theological convictions key to personal ministry/kingdom service, (b) vocational objectives, (c) encouragement to pursue this degree, and (d) personal assessment of strengths and weaknesses
Essay Upload Instructions
Once you have submitted your application, you will be sent an email granting you access to your applicant portal inside of SONIS, our Student Information System (SIS). From your applicant portal, you can review all application checklist requirements (eg. transcripts, references, essays).
Use the paperclip icon next to the Essay Checklist items to upload your essay(s). Essays must be uploaded in .pdf.
You may also email your essays (.pdf) directly to DMin Admissions Lead: [email protected]
Transcripts
Before your application is reviewed, our admissions team must receive all Master’s level or higher transcripts (DMin applicants only) from all colleges/universities where the degree(s) were earned, even if the classes were transferred to another school and are reflected on their transcripts. If you had an MDIV-Equivalency audit, please request all official transcripts used for that evaluation.
Official transcripts must be sent directly from all colleges, seminaries, and other institutions of higher education attended to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. You must request that each institution send an official transcript of academic work to the Doctor of Ministry Admissions Lead at [email protected]
Official electronic transcripts are accepted and preferred. Applicants may request electronic transcripts using the following email: [email protected].
GPA Requirements: 3.0
How to Send Transcripts
Transcripts may be sent by any means your college(s) uses for transmitting official transcripts but must be delivered (mail or email) directly to Gordon-Conwell, or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope. Copies and opened transcripts are not considered official.
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
c/o Doctor of Ministry Admissions
130 Essex Street,
South Hamilton, MA 01982
Electronic Transcripts
Official electronic transcripts are accepted and preferred. Applicants may request electronic transcripts using the following email: [email protected].
Parchment
Gordon-Conwell is a partner school of PARCHMENT. If your college uses this service for transmitting electronic transcripts, search for and have the transcripts sent to “Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.”
References
Before your application is reviewed, our admissions team must receive all required references. References should be individuals you have known for at least one year, and who are not related to you.
Submit the names and emails of three references to, DMin Admissions Lead: [email protected].
- From a current ministry official
- From a current ministry/professional colleague
- From a friend
How to Submit
When filling out our online application, you will be prompted to provide references names, positions and email addresses. For the DMin application, please submit the three references listed above.
By providing a name and email address in your application form, we will automatically forward an email to your reference(s) with a link to fill out an online reference form. Once that reference form is submitted, our admissions counselors will add the reference to your application and update your application checklist. Please do not send us reference letters from others nor have others submit reference letters on your behalf.
If the person(s) providing a reference have not received the email with the link please send an email to: [email protected].
Para el formulario de recomendación español, oprima aqui.
Ministry Endorsement
Before your application is reviewed, our admissions team must receive a ministry endorsement from your current ministry context (leadership board, judicatory, overseer, etc.) indicating their understanding and support of your intention to pursue these studies.
Do not use family or names already used for a reference.
How to Submit
Please send the name, title, and email of your ministry endorser to DMin Admissions Lead at [email protected]. By providing the name and email address, we will forward an email to your ministry endorser with a link to fill out an online ministry endorsement form.
If the person providing a ministry endorsement has not received the email with the link please send an email to [email protected].
Para el formulario de endoso ministerial en español, oprima aqui.
We advise completing the application process 4-6 months before the residency starts. This helps new students prepare confidently and start strong.
International students, please apply one year before a residency starts in order to allow additional time to secure the proper student visa for cohorts studying in the United States.
Contact Us
| Admissions Representative: | DMin Admissions Lead |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Call: | 978-646-4002 |
| Doctor of Ministry Program Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary 130 Essex Street South Hamilton, MA 01982 |
Admissions Policy
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary admits students to degree programs in accordance with the standards laid out by our accrediting agency, the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). For the Doctor of Ministry degree, these standards include:
Applicants to the DMin degree program should have at least three years of experience in ministry subsequent to the first graduate theological degree, and, as part of the program goal, show evidence of capacity for an advanced level of competence and reflection in the practice of ministry beyond that of the master’s level. Students must possess an ATS Board of Commissioners-approved MDiv or its educational equivalent from an institution of higher education accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or approved by a Canadian provincial quality assurance agency.
Degrees from institutions outside of North America may be accepted provided schools can demonstrate that they meet the standards of the Board-approved degrees for admission. MDiv equivalency is defined as 72 graduate semester hours or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include a master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Ministerial experience alone is not considered the equivalent of or a substitute for the master’s degree.
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap or veteran status.