Application & Admission

The Doctor of Ministry program is open to persons who have three years of ministry experience after the completion of the Master of Divinity degree (or its educational equivalent, equivalency is understood to mean three years of post-baccalaureate theological study) from an accredited institution. Students must have regular participation in their ministry setting for the duration of their program. Only students who meet this criteria will be considered for admission.

Applications for the Doctor of Ministry program and all supporting materials should be submitted to the Admissions Office no later than May 1 of the year for which admission is sought. The applicant must supply the following:

1. The application form and application fee of $50.
2. A personal statement of three to five pages identifying the applicant's personal goals for the Doctor of Ministry program and her or his perceived strengths and weaknesses.
3. Complete official transcripts sent directly from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions.
4. Three letters of recommendation from persons able to assess the applicant's academic and professional potential: one from a professor with whom the applicant has studied, one from a minister or official of the denomination with which the applicant is affiliated, and one from a professional colleague or associate.

To apply online, click here. Detailed instructions for completing the application are provided at this link. You may also request a paper application by calling our Admissions Office at 860-509-9512 or write to admissions@hartsem.edu.

Interview: After a student’s file is complete, the student will be contacted by the Admissions Office to set up an interview. While in most cases the interview will happen on the Hartford Seminary campus, a phone interview may be conducted where distance prohibits a visit to campus. Applications will only be sent on to the Admissions Committee for review once the interview has been conducted.

Once admitted to the Doctor of Ministry program, the student is encouraged to organize a support group in her or his ministry setting to offer encouragement and assistance throughout the student’s program of study.

Entrance and Deferral: Students admitted to the D.Min. program may defer their entrance for no more than one academic year after the fall semester to which they are admitted. This intent must be received in writing by the Registrar. Students unable to enroll in the program after this period may apply for readmission.

Entrance to the program formally begins with enrollment in the fall first year Colleague Seminar (DM-710). If entrance is deferred, students may enroll in D.Min. elective courses, but no more than two electives may be completed before the enrollment in the first year Colleague Seminar begins. In all cases, enrollment in the first year Colleague Seminar must begin no later than one academic year after the fall semester to which a student is originally admitted to the program. Students are expected to remain with their colleague group during the two year sequence of the Colleague Seminar.

Readmission: Please see Academic Policies for Graduate Programs section.