Drew > Theological School > Admissions

Admissions Process

Overview

Visitors are welcome on campus at any time throughout the year. Those interested in admissions and having an interview should write or call for an appointment well in advance of the date of the proposed visit.

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How to Apply

Applicants to a degree program must file at least three kinds of documents:

  1. Application form: Students must file a formal application for admission, listing personal information, all schools attended beyond high school, and names of references. The application form must include a $35 application fee.
  2. Academic Transcripts: Original transcripts from all schools attended with proof of degrees earned. Student copies are not acceptable.
  3. Letters of Reference: Letters from persons qualified to give academic, personal, and professional references for the applicant, indicating suitability for advanced theological study.

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Application Deadlines

January 5 (Spring) Non-degree Application Deadline
March 1 (Fall) S.T.M. Application Deadline
April 1  (Fall) International Application Deadline
(Fall) International Application Deadline
D.Min. Summer Program Deadline
May 1 (Fall) Completed applications  will be considered for merit scholarships
June 1 (Fall) All financial aid forms should be submitted
Housing applications and deposits should be sent directly to Housing Office
July 1 (Fall) D.Min. Program Deadline
Domestic Application Deadline
August 5 (Fall) Non-degree Application Deadline
October 1 (Spring) International Application Deadline (M.Div. and M.T.S.)
(Spring) S.T.M. Application Deadline
D.Min. Program Deadline
November 1 (Spring) International Student Visa Certification Forms should be sent to Admissions Office
Housing applications and deposits should be sent directly to Housing Office.
December 1 (Spring) Domestic Application Deadline

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Admissions Requirements by Program

THE MASTER OF DIVINITY

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) emphasizes foundational principles necessary in the practice of ministry. It is awarded at the satisfactory completion of 84 credits -- 51 required and 33 elective. Students are encouraged to use elective credits to shape the curriculum to their own professional goals. Learn more about Drew's Master of Divinity.

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Divinity Program:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or from an equivalent overseas institution;
  2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in a previous degree program. This capacity may also be indicated by "B" work in a selected group of courses pertinent to theological study;
  3. Capacity for leadership and, if appropriate, the potential for ordination;
  4. Personal interviews with an admissions representative may be required.

Length of Program: The M.Div. program may be completed in three years of full-time study.

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THE MASTER OF ARTS

The Master of Arts program is a two-year master’s degree designed for students who wish to acquire a background for teaching at the secondary level, to attain a foundation for further studies in religion at the doctoral level, or to explore religious disciplines for personal interests. Students will generally choose to attain a broad knowledge of various theological disciplines or to develop a focused knowledge in a specific discipline. Learn more about Drew's Master of Arts.

M.A. Admission Requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an approved international institution.
  2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) in a previous degree program. This capacity may also be indicated by "B+" work in a selected group of courses pertinent to theological study.
  3. The student may choose to submit GRE scores to further indicate academic capabilities.
  4. Transcripts for all academic study beyond secondary school showing high academic performance.
  5. An academic writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s ability to do graduate level research and composition.
  6. Three letters of reference from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s intellectual competence and promise.
  7. The completed application form must be accompanied by a statement of purpose, composed by the applicant and explaining the reasons and goals for pursuing the M.A. degree.

Curriculum: The Master of Arts program shall consist of 41 academic credits. Further requirements for the M.A. include proficiency in one foreign language, determined by examination. Each student will work out an appropriate course of study in consultation with the academic advisor, which will culminate in an integrative project.

Length of Program: The program is designed to be completed in two years or four semesters.

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THE MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY

The Master of Arts in Ministry program is a two-year professional master’s degree for students preparing for leadership in congregations, non-profit agencies, and other organizations. It may also be used by those who are preparing for ordination as Deacons in the United Methodist Church. Within the program, students may choose to focus on a specific area of specialization including but not limited to social justice ministries, church music, ecological ministries, camp and retreat ministries, Christian education, and pastoral care. Learn more about Drew's Master of Arts.

M.A. Admission Requirements:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an approved international institution.
  2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in a previous degree program. This capacity may also be indicated by "B" work in a selected group of courses pertinent to theological study.
  3. Transcripts for all academic study beyond secondary school showing high academic performance.
  4. An academic writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s ability to do graduate level research and composition.
  5. Three letters of reference from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s intellectual competence and promise as well as personal character and potential for ministry.
  6. The completed application form must be accompanied by a statement of purpose by the applicant explaining the reasons and goals for pursuing the M.A. in Ministry degree.

Curriculum: Each student in the M.A. in Ministry program must complete 45 credits of course work from the following classifications: Religious Heritage, Cultural Context, Personal and Spiritual Formation, and Field Education. In consultation with an academic advisor, students may elect to choose a particular specialization, with 12 credits of course work applying specifically to an area of specialization.

Length of Program: The program is designed to be completed in two years or four semesters.

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THE MASTER OF SACRED THEOLOGY

The Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) is a one-year (24 credits) program for those who have completed their basic theological education with the M.Div. or its equivalent and wish to pursue further study in a particular field. Learn more about Drew's Master of Sacred Theology.

S.T.M. Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold the M.Div. or an equivalent degree from a recognized theological school and must have maintained at least a 3.33 (B+) grade point average. Additional academic work beyond the M.Div. may also satisfy the 3.33 grade point average requirement.

Curriculum: Each student is expected to develop a coherent program of study and to write a study plan to be discussed with the director of the S.T.M. program prior to registration and approved by the student's adviser at the time of registration.

Length of Program: The program may be completed in one year or two semesters.

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THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

The Drew D.Min., the highest professional degree offered by a seminary, is designed to move pastors to the next level of competence in the practice of ministry and contribute to the field of Christian ministry.

The program relies on the disciplines of academic research and leadership of a lay-ministerial team, and is taught in regional seminars, near the site of the student's ministry. It stresses the development of pastoral leadership, congregational studies, community development, counseling skills, and lay participation in the doctoral project in either the parish ministry or comparable ministry settings. Learn more about Drew's Doctor of Ministry Program.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Applicants must have completed the M.Div. or its equivalent (defined as 84 credits of graduate theological education), with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) in previous degree programs. Applicants with a 2-year Masters plus additional theological education will be considered.
  2. Applicants must have at least three years of full-time professional experience beyond their first theological degree.
  3. Applicants must be engaged in a recognized ministerial position at the time of application.
  4. A writing sample, in the form of a personal statement, must be submitted for review.
  5. E-mail capacity is required of all new admits.
  6. Interview with a faculty member for applicants to the Pastoral Care & Counseling program.

Curriculum: Four required regional seminars, three elective summer courses, and a thesis (for a total of 30 credits) are required for graduation.