Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching Application Instructions By Telephone: 901.757.7977 or toll free 1.800.843.2241 or fax 901.757.1372 Internet and Email: www.uu.edu/dmin and dmin@uu.edu Mailing Address: Doctor of Ministry Office, Union University, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, TN 38115 Physical Address: Stephen Olford Center at Union University, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, Tennessee Application Foundations Applicants must be employed by or hold a recognized position in vocational Christian ministry at the time of their application. Preference in admission is given to students who have advanced preparation in biblical languages. The following are the minimum levels of education and experience that an applicant must fulfill before beginning seminars. A Master of Divinity or its equivalent from a regionally accredited seminary. See page 2 for information about Master of Divinity Equivalency. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout all master s-level studies. Three full years of vocational Christian ministry after completion of master s study. Prospective students are requested to contact the Doctor of Ministry Office if they have questions about whether they have established an adequate foundation the Doctor of Ministry study as indicated above. International applicants are welcome, but must contact the Doctor of Ministry Office for additional admission requirements. Application Requirements The completed official application form along with a $50 non-refundable application fee. The official form is included as part of this document. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended since high school. A transcript request form is included with this document. Applicants are responsible for photocopying this request form as needed and sending it to their respective institutions. Many institutions make it possible to request this via the internet. A ministry endorsement letter, showing that the applicant s church-related employer supports the applicant s intention to pursue doctoral study. The form included in this application should be completed and returned to the Doctor of Ministry Office by the employer. Three evaluative references. Applicants are responsible for signing the waiver on each form and providing each reference an envelope and postage for returning the reference directly to the Doctor of Ministry Office. A personal history essay describing significant influences in life, particularly conversion and spiritual growth, call to ministry, important ministry experiences, and current understanding and practice of preaching. This essay should be 8-10 pages, double spaced, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. A sermon manuscript that demonstrates exegesis of a biblical text. It is to be a complete manuscript that includes every word that would be used in sermon delivery, including introduction, illustrations, and call for response. The manuscript should be appropriate for a sermon lasting twenty to thirty minutes. This manuscript should double spaced, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. Application Deadlines Applicants must complete all elements of their application file and be officially accepted into the program before they can enroll in their first seminars. The size of each entering class is limited, and preference is given to students who apply early. The deadline for receiving the application and application fee is March 1. The deadline for receiving all other application materials is May 1. A personal or telephone interview with the Program Director is scheduled by the Doctor of Ministry Office after all elements of the application file are received. The deadline for the admission interview is May 15. Applicants are notified of their admission status not later than June 1.
Academic Foundation for the Union University Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching The standard academic preparation for the Union University Doctor of Ministry is a Master of Divinity from a regionally accredited seminary, university, graduate school of religion, or divinity school. (These are collectively referred to below as accredited graduate divinity schools. ) Preference is given to applicants whose master s work includes at least 6 semester hours of biblical Greek and 6 semester hours of biblical Hebrew. Union University recognizes that many prospective students have enrolled in accredited graduate divinity schools in programs of study other than the Master of Divinity. Such degrees include the Master of Christian Studies, the Master of Religious Education, or the Master of Arts in a discipline such as Old Testament. We therefore have established that Master of Divinity Equivalency also meets the academic requirement for admission to the Doctor of Ministry. Each applicant in this category will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, such applicants should have received a master s degree from an accredited graduate divinity school and they must have earned a minimum of 81 semester hours of master s-level credit in accredited graduate divinity schools before they will be admitted to our Doctor of Ministry program of study. Guidelines for meeting requirements for each category of study are as follows. Biblical, Theological, and Historical Studies 1. Old Testament 9-12 hours, including at least 6 hours of survey 2. New Testament 9-12 hours, including at least 6 hours of survey 3. Theology 6-9 hours, including at least 6 hours of survey 4. Church History 6-9 hours, including at least 6 hours of survey 5. Hermeneutics (Interpreting the Bible) 3-6 hours Languages and Preaching Studies 6. Biblical Greek 0-9 hours 7. Biblical Hebrew 0-9 hours 8. Homiletics (Communicating the Bible) 6-9 hours Ministry Studies 9. Leadership or Religious Education 3-9 hours 10. Christian Ethics or Christian Apologetics 3-9 hours 11. Christian Counseling or Pastoral Care 3-9 hours 12. Evangelism and/or Missions 3-9 hours For each of these 12 categories, the first number in the right column is the minimum number of semester hours required in that category to meet Master of Divinity Equivalency. Thus, 51 of the 81 required semester hours are specified. The remaining 18 hours may be gained in a number of ways, including courses that fit in categories not mentioned above, such as spiritual formation or philosophy of religion. Thus, for example, all students must have earned at least 6 church history hours in order to meet Master of Divinity Equivalency. The second number in the right column is the maximum number of hours that students should complete in that category as they seek Master of Divinity Equivalency. Thus, for example, once prospective students have completed 9 hours in church history, they should broaden their preparation by selecting courses from the other categories. The Doctor of Ministry Program Director provides case-bycase assessment of each student seeking Master of Divinity Equivalency. Applicants will be informed in writing when Master of Divinity Equivalency has been established only after Union University has received official transcripts from all accredited graduate divinity schools the student has attended.
Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching Application Form Completed Application Form, with $50.00 non-refundable Application Fee (payable to Union University) must be mailed to the Doctor of Ministry Office, Union University, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, TN 38115. The deadline for receiving this form each year is March 1. Email attachments or faxes are not acceptable. Name: Social Security #: First Middle Maiden Last Email Address: Present Address: Street City State Zip Permanent Address: Street City State Zip Phone #: Home ( ) Work ( ) Cell ( ) Union University admits students of any race, color, gender, handicap, and national or ethnic origin. The items of information requested below are optional and will be used only for reporting purposes. Male Female Married Single Birth date: Place of Birth: Physical, mental, or emotional disabilities which may require special assistance: Denominational Affiliation: As prescribed by the United States Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, we are required to report demographic information including racial background. The following information is not used in the admission process. Using the terminology of the NCES, please answer the following: Are you a U.S. citizen? Yes (Complete questions 1 and 2 below.) No (Complete an international student application. Please contact the D.Min. Office.) 1. Are you Hispanic/Latino? Yes or No 2. Respond to one or more of the following groups: a. American Indian/Alaskan Native Yes or No b. Asian Yes or No c. Black or African American Yes or No d. Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Yes or No e. White Yes or No At any time have you been charged, arrested, or convicted of a criminal offense of any nature? Yes No If so, please provide specific details of each occurrence.
Education Please list all institutions attended since high school. Official transcripts from all institutions must be sent directly to the Doctor of Ministry Office. If you need more space, use another sheet of paper, but put all institutions on that separate page. You are responsible for ensuring that all transcripts arrive in the Doctor of Ministry Office not later than May 1. Name and Location of Institution Dates Attended GPA Degree Earned (if any) How will your name appear on the transcript? Ministry Experience Please list all significant Christian ministry since high school. Begin with the earliest and end with the most recent. Emphasize the positions for which you were compensated, either fulltime or part-time. You must currently be employed by or hold a recognized position in vocational Christian ministry. You must have at least three full years of vocational Christian ministry experience after completing your master s study before beginning your Doctor of Ministry study. Name and Location of Ministry Dates (include months) Fulltime, Part-time, or Volunteer? Job Title or Job Description Present Ministry You are responsible for getting the Ministry Endorsement Letter (included in this application) completed, signed, and returned to the Doctor of Ministry Office by May 1. Name of Organization/Church: Address: Position and Dates: How have your served in this organization/church? Please give the name and contact information for your current supervisor. (Pastors may list the chair of the personnel committee or other person such as a director of missions:
References List the name, title, address, work and hone phone numbers of three people who are in a position to evaluate you and who will submit references. Please indicate how you know each individual and how long you have known him or her. One must be a professor and one a pastor. You are responsible for making photocopies of the enclosed Reference Form and for ensuring that these forms arrive in the Doctor of Ministry Office not later than May 1. 1. 2. 3. How did you become aware of the Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching? Personal History Essay Write an essay, 8-10 double-spaced pages, using 12-point font and one inch margins. You may adopt a personal style, but your essay will be read both for substance and style. Communicate the significant influences in your life, especially your conversion and spiritual growth, call to ministry, important ministry experiences, and current understanding and practice of preaching. Please share information about your family of origin, your current family (spouse, children), and your personal journey. We are interested in getting to know you as a person, both your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you have overcome substance abuse or financial instability (or still face issues in these areas) we invite you to tell us about this. We would also be glad to learn whether your spouse has any reservations about your desire to pursue doctoral studies. Provide information about what your goal is in pursuing the Doctor of Ministry. Sermon Manuscript Write a full-length sermon manuscript that demonstrates your exegesis of a biblical text. It is to be a complete manuscript that includes every word that would be used in sermon delivery, including introduction, illustrations, and call for response. The manuscript should be appropriate for a sermon lasting twenty to thirty minutes. This manuscript should double spaced, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. Annual reports indicating compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act are available in the Office of Safety and Security during regular office hours. Admission to the University does not automatically guarantee admission to specific academic programs within the University. In compliance with all applicable state and federal law, including provisions of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Union University does not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, or military service in admissions; in the administration of its education policies, programs, or activities; or in employment. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purposes. Persons who believe their rights under this policy have been violated should contact the Office of the President, Union University By signing below, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the university as described in the current Graduate Catalogue (www.uu.edu/catalogue/graduate/). (Signature of Applicant) (Date)
Ministry Endorsement Letter Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching The Union University Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching exists to enhance the art and practice of expository preaching. It is a terminal professional degree for leaders in Christian ministry, intended especially for those engaged in an ongoing ministry of preaching and teaching Scripture. Graduates will be fully equipped to integrate expository preaching with the demands of ministerial leadership. Applicant Should Complete the Material Below Before Submitting It to Ministry Applicant s Name Christian Ministry employing the applicant Address Applicant s Supervisor (If the applicant is a pastor, a person such as the chair of the personnel committee or director of missions should be indicated.) Contact Information for Supervisor Our ministry affirms that the above-named applicant has discussed with us the desire to pursue the Doctor of Ministry at Union University. The applicant s ministry gives evidence of preaching or teaching gifts and skills that we believe warrant further professional development as indicated in the above statement. The applicant is our employee in good standing and has demonstrated the appropriate Christian character, ability, and knowledge necessary for one seeking the highest level of theological education. We enthusiastically support this decision. Signature: Date: In the space below, please discuss the process by which this decision was reached. This form must be received by May 1. The ministry named above is requested to mail it to the Doctor of Ministry Office, Union University, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, TN 38115
Request for Official Transcript To: The Registrar Name/Address of University Attended Name by which I Was Enrolled (Last) (First) (Middle) (Maiden) Dates of Enrollment From: To: (Semester) (Year) (Semester) (Year) Social Security No. Present Address: (Street) (City) (State) (ZIP) Please send an official transcript to the address indicated below: Doctor of Ministry Office Union University 4000 Riverdale Road Memphis, TN 38115 Please bill any charges to the student s address above. I authorize release of my academic transcript to Union University s Doctor of Ministry Program: Student s Signature: Date: Student: Please make as many copies of this request form as you need. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning must be received before you can be officially admitted.
Reference Form The Union University Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching exists to enhance the art and practice of expository preaching. It is a terminal professional degree for leaders in Christian ministry, intended especially for those engaged in an ongoing ministry of preaching and teaching Scripture. Graduates will be fully equipped to integrate expository preaching with the demands of ministerial leadership. This section is to be completed by applicant: (Applicant: Please make photocopies of this form as needed and provide your references with postage for return to us.) Name of Applicant: Address: Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching (Last) (First) (Middle) Maiden) City, State, ZIP: I waive right of access to this reference; however, OR I do not waive right of access to this waiver is not required for admission Applicant s Signature Applicant s Signature This section to be completed by reference: The above-named applicant is applying for admission to the Doctor of Ministry at Union University and has named you as a reference. Please read the program statement above. Mail the form to the address indicated below:. Name: Organization: Title: Address: City, State, ZIP: 1. How many years have you known the applicant? Years In what relationship? Supervisor Educator Work Pastor Other: 2. Rank the applicant in the following areas: Above Average Average Below Average Not Observed Collaborative Ability Verbal Communication Written Communication Critical Thinking Leadership Potential Intellectual Ability Integrity Spiritual Maturity Judgment Emotional Stability 3. Do you: Highly Recommend: Recommend: Recommend with Reservation: Not recommend: Please write additional comments on the back of this form or in an attached letter. Do you want to discuss the applicant with us farther? No Yes Phone Number: Reference s Signature Date This form must be received by May 1. The reference named above is requested to mail it to the Doctor of Ministry Office, Union University, 4000 Riverdale Road, Memphis, TN 38175-7800