Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Virginia Union University DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM

Transcription

1 Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology Virginia Union University DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM GRADUATE ADMISSIONS 1500 North Lombardy Street Richmond, Virginia (804) / (800)

2 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & CHECKLIST Please read all instructions and follow them carefully. All application documentation should be removed from the booklet and submitted together by the applicant in one envelope to the Doctor of Ministry Program office by April 1st. Incomplete applications may cause a delay in processing your admission application and/or jeopardize your consideration for admission. Requirements An applicant to the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree program MUST: 1. Have received the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree or its formal equivalent (equivalency is determined by the admissions committee) from a university or college accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) or similar international theological school accrediting agency 2. Have at least 2.5 years Post-M.Div. experience in ministry Application Form Type or print legibly in black or blue ink the official application. Please attach two (2) recent photos of yourself (optional). Application Fee You also must include with the application a $25.00 non-refundable application fee in the form of certified funds (i.e., cashier s check, money order, etc.) Personal checks and cash are unacceptable and will be returned to the applicant. Personal and Project Statements You must submit Personal and Project Statements. See the Personal and Project Statements Guidelines for details. Transcripts Transcripts of all academic work beyond high school, whether or not a degree was conferred, are required. Request sealed transcripts to be sent directly from the institution and mailed to our Graduate Admissions Office. An official transcript may be forwarded to us unopened. If available, escripts (electronic transcripts) may be sent to theology@vuu.edu. Faxed copies of transcripts are not acceptable. Official transcripts can be mailed to: Virginia Union University Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology Attn: Office of Graduate Admissions 1500 North Lombardy Street Richmond, Virginia Resume Please submit a resume detailing all academic, professional, and ministerial experiences. Be sure to include any post-master of divinity formal continuing education experiences (e.g., clinical pastoral education units, workshops, certifications, etc.). Specify any authored publications, including the publication title; name of publisher or journal, date and number of pages. Reference Questionnaire You must submit four reference letters. These references must be non-family. Remove the form from the application booklet and make copies to give to your references. Submit four reference letters individually sealed from the following people: Revised:

3 1. a college professor, administrator, or other qualified person who can attest to the applicant s intellectual development and qualifications for doctoral studies 2. a denominational (district, local, state or national) or church leader (pastor or other official leader) who is can attest to the applicant s professional commitment 3. a colleague from the applicant s religious or other vocational context, who is familiar with the applicant s work ethic 4. a personal reference from any other individual who is not related to the applicant but can attest to the applicant s character Financial Statement for International Applicants Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent resident-aliens in the United States are required to submit a financial statement at the time you apply for admission. The School of Theology is strictly required by law to establish a foreign student s ability to meet his/her educational and living expenses for the duration of his/her program before assisting the student in obtaining a visa to enter the United States. Please complete the enclosed financial statement and return it with your application for admission. You also must submit a written statement from the person(s) with whom you will be residing in the United States to attest to your off-campus housing arrangements. Residential Form for International Applicants Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent resident-aliens in the United States are required to submit the residential form at the time they apply for admission. If you do not have approved campus housing, please complete the residential form to attest to off-campus housing arrangements. The person (s) with whom you will be residing in the United States should complete and sign section 2 of the form. Incomplete housing information will delay consideration of your application for admission. Student Health Form for International Applicants Pre-entrance physical examinations are required of applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residentaliens in the United States as part of the admissions process. Please have the student health form completed and return it with your application for admission. The medical information provided will not affect your admission status. Immunization Record for International Applicants The necessary immunizations are required for applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent resident-aliens in the United States. Please have the immunization record completed and return it with you application for admissions. Student Visas Once a foreign applicant has been admitted and has established to the School of Theology s satisfaction that s/he is financially able to become a student without depending on salaried jobs in the United States, the School of Theology will send the student a letter of admission and the I-20 form necessary for applying to a United States Consulate for a visa. Housing Once an applicant is accepted to the Doctor of Ministry program, s/he is responsible for securing housing accommodations during their residency periods on campus. STVU only offers very limited housing spaces to D.Min. students when there is space available. The School of Theology does provide at the beginning of each academic year a listing of local hotels and motels who have agreed to offer STVU students with a valid University-issued identification card a discounted rate. Contact the Office of Graduate Student Services at (804) to inquire about on-campus housing availability and the list of hotels and motels, which offer discounted rates. Revised:

4 Denominational Codes On the official application, use the codes on pages 3 and 4 to identify the denomination with which you are currently affiliated: ABPT American Baptist MUSL Muslim AME African Methodist Episcopal NBPT National Baptist Convention, Inc. AMEZ African Methodist Episcopal Zion NC Non-Christian APOS Apostolic OTHR Other BAPT Baptist P Personal Denominational Codes (continued) CATH Catholic PBPT Progressive National Baptist Convention CJOG Church of God PENT Pentecostal COJC Church of Jesus Christ PRES Presbyterian COGC Church of God in Christ PROT Protestant EPIS Episcopalian RC Roman Catholic HOLI Holiness SAMB Southern American Baptist ISLM Islam SBPT Southern Baptist JW Jehovah s Witness UCCH United Church of Christ LUTH Lutheran UHCA United Holy Church of America MENN Mennonite UNMC United Methodist Church METH Methodist WESL Wesleyan MORA Mormon Financial Aid Virginia Union University does not offer state or federal financial aid assistance to students enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program. However, the Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students can assist doctoral students at STVU cover the cost of their tuition. The Office of Graduate Financial Aid (OGFA) recommends the Alternative Loans and Federal PLUS Loans listed below from lenders who have expressed a desire to work with student borrowers. These loans require the student to submit information in the form of an application and are based on credit worthiness. Lenders listed have a history of having programs designed especially for education. The student is required to oversee the processing of this type of application. You may contact the OGFA for assistance at (804) PREFERRED LENDERS: a. Sallie Mae Education Loan Trust Signature Student Loan Program 2. OTHER LENDERS: a. Citibank b. International Student Loan Program (ISLP) c. Key Bank, USA Key Alternative Loan 3. Federal PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students b. SunTrust Educational Loans Student Loans d. Nellie Mae e. Wachovia f. Wells Fargo Student Loans Revised:

5 Send your completed packet of admission documentation to: Doctor of Ministry Program Coordinator of Graduate Admissions Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology Virginia Union University 1500 North Lombardy Street Richmond, Virginia Revised:

6 PERSONAL AND PROJECT STATEMENTS The faculty of the School of Theology anticipates working with doctoral students who have clear ministry research interests. These interests should correspond with the applicants ministry contexts (e.g., local church, non-profit organization, etc.). To enhance the application review process, please respond to the following statements and questions: State in detail the ministry concern that you plan to address in your research. (250 words) Describe the ministry context within which your ministry concern arises. Include in this description anecdotal and demographic information. (500 words) Typically, doctor of ministry research is conducted with the support of community. Describe the resources and stakeholders that will nurture the development of this project. (200 words)

7 Critically describe the literature and/or media that inform(s) your research. Feel free to utilize texts that your seminary experience introduced to you. (500 words) Identify the life experiences and vocational concerns that bring you to this program. (250 words)

8 (Please type or print legibly in ink) SAMUEL DEWITT PROCTOR SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Year applying for admission, Fall (Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Rev.) Last Name First Name Middle Name Suffix Residence Street Address or P.O. Box Number City, State, & Zip County Home Phone Number Work Phone Number Cell Phone Number Address - - / / 19 Social Security Number Date of Birth Citizenship Visa Status Ethnic Origin: Asian/Pacific Islands American Indian/Alaskan Black Non-Hispanic Hispanic Non-Resident Alien Other/International White/Non-Hispanic Gender: Male Female CONTEXT OF MINISTRY Current Church/Context of Ministry Title Street Address City, State & Zip Business Phone Number Denomination EDUCATION (List all institutions attended since high school; an official transcript from each school is required.) College/University Location Dates Attended Degree Rec d & Year College/University Location Dates Attended Degree Rec d & Year Seminary Location Dates Attended Degree Rec d & Year

9 Post M.Div. formal education: (ex: supervised Continuing Education such as Clinical Pastoral Education) Post M.Div. Continuing Education: (ex: workshops, certifications, etc.) Post M.Div. self-directed study: (Including recent books read) PUBLICATIONS Title Publisher/Journal Date Pages Title Publisher/Journal Date Pages

10 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE List full-time ministry experience since graduating from seminary: Dates Church/Ministry Context Location Dates Church/Ministry Context Location Dates Church/Ministry Context Location List other relevant professional experience: Dates Name/Type of Experience Location Dates Name/Type of Experience Location Dates Name/Type of Experience Location PHYSICAL HEALTH In accordance with ADA, 1973, please list any special needs for which we need to be aware. Are you physically disabled? Learning disabled? Otherwise disabled? Are special accommodations needed due to your disability? Yes No If so, please explain on a separate sheet of paper and submit with the return of your application. FAMILY INFORMATION Marital Status: Single Married Divorced Widowed Spouse s Name and highest level of education achieved Children: Yes No, if yes indicate names and ages Name Age Name Age Name Age Name Age Name Age Name Age

11 Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No Yes If you answer yes, please describe and explain the conviction and provide a copy of the court s disposition of the case: Have you ever been dismissed from any other school? No Yes If yes, please give name of school and date: Feel free to use this area for additional responses to previous questions or attach another sheet, if necessary: The School of Theology of Virginia Union University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in providing educational or employment opportunities or benefits. SIGNATURE I certify that all the information I have given in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and, if admitted, I agree to observe the rules and regulations of Virginia Union University and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. I will inform the seminary at once if changes in my situation occur before or during the period for which I am making application, or if I desire to withdraw my application. Date: Signature of Applicant

12 PART 1 (To be completed by the applicant) REFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE Instructions: The applicant should present this form to the reference with instructions that upon completion, the reference should seal the form in an envelope and sign his/her name across the seal and return it the applicant to be submitted to the Doctor of Ministry Program along with all other admission documentation. Name of Applicant I waive my right to inspect the contents of this recommendation. I do not waive my right to inspect the contents of this recommendation. Signature PART 2 (To be completed by the reference) Date Name of Reference Address City, State, Zip Day Phone ( ) Evening Phone ( ) Please indicate length of time and circumstances of your acquaintance with the applicant. The School of Theology of Virginia Union desires to admit people to the D.Min. program who have outstanding Christian character and who show promise in the practice of ministry. Your evaluation of this applicant will be most helpful. Please evaluate the applicant in the following areas by circling the relevant rating in each category. Preparation for academic rigor Commitment to work in Ministry Skill in relating to others Personal maturity Academic ability Excellent Good Average Below Average Don t Know Please continue on the back

13 PART 3 In the space provided below, please make additional comments on the applicant s strengths and weaknesses for doctoral studies and for ministry in the church and society. (If possible, please type or print legibly. Use additional paper as needed.) Do you recommend this person for admission? Please check all that apply: I strongly recommend without reservation I recommend with some reservation I cannot recommend with confidence Please contact me for additional comment Reference s Signature: Date: We appreciate your assistance. Please return this form in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal to the applicant to be submitted to the Doctor of Ministry Program along with his/her other application materials.