Professional Doctoral Program Admissions 

Apply for the Professional Doctoral Program in four steps:

1. Complete Inquiry Form
2. Submit transcripts
3. Submit application packet
4. Phone interview and final approval

STEP #1

Complete the Inquiry Form.

General Requirements: 

• 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA - Enrollment with probation may be granted for GPA's from 2.75 - 2.99 contingent upon satisfactory completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
• Substantial Ministry Experience - Normally, full-time vocational ministry experience of at least three years is the minimum requirement. Exceptions can be made considering a combination of age, part-time and/or co-vocational ministry, and combined length and scope of service. 
• The Professional Doctoral Committee will approve exceptions at the time of admission. 

DEdMin Prerequisites: 

• Possess a theological, ministerial or professional master's degree from an ATS accredited institution. 
• Degree or supplemental transcripts must include hours in biblical and theological studies, organizational leadership/administration, instructional theory and practice, and educational foundations. Students may be required to complete additional studies for admission. 
• DEdMin program details click here.

DMin Prerequisites:

• An MDiv (Master of Divinity) degree from an ATS accredited college, university, or seminary, OR 
• A masters degree in a ministry-related area of an ATS accredited college, university or seminary and demonstrate proficiency by meeting the established criteria outlined in the admission policies found in Step #3. 
• DMin program details click here.

STEP #2

Upon receiving an email response to the inquiry form, submit the official transcript(s) of your master's degree(s).

STEP #3

Upon receiving an email with the formal application packet from the Office of Professional Doctoral Programs, all DMin, DEdMin, and PDC applicants submit the following:

• Application
• A photo
• Criminal Background Check
• Church Affirmation Statement
• Personal, Church Leader, and Academic references
• Health statement, Immunization form, and TB form
• All undergraduate and graduate official transcripts
• Autobiographical Essay
• Application Fee
• For those planning to use VA benefits, please notify the Professional Doctoral Programs office.
• Military or Clinical Pastoral Chaplains may request advanced credit by contacting the Professional Doctoral Programs office. 
• International students' additional admission requirments 
  
  • Applicants who have completed an appropriate master's degree at NOBTS or an ATS accredited U.S. institution can request exemption from the TOEFL test requirement.

For the DMin applicant without an ATS accredited MDiv Degree, in addition to the above, please complete the following: 

• Personal Inventory
• Professional Resume (template provided)
• Graduate Biblical studies/Theology paper

Admission into the DMin program will require an ATS accredited master's degree in a ministry-related area and significant ministry experience. Applicants without an ATS accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree may be admitted, provided they demonstrate specific ministerial proficiencies. Additional documents will be required to meet this criteria. 

(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. 

The proficiencies will be measured using the following criteria: 

A = Graduate Biblical Studies/Theological paper 

B = Autobiographical Essay (outline provided)

C = Personal inventory 

D = Transcript Evaluation 

E = Professional Resume (template)

Proficiency Verification to confirm all criteria (for applicants without MDiv), approved by the ProDoc Committee. 

STEP #4

The final step is a phone interview with one of our program directors. Once the interview is complete and all documents submitted you will be presented to the Professional Doctoral Program Oversight Committee for final approval. 

Important Dates

Contact

Samantha Graham

Administrative Assistant for Recruitment & Faculty Support

Office: (504) 816-8292

Email: prodocasst@nobts.edu