Prospective Students - Advanced Degrees

Master of Theology

The Office of Admissions oversees the application process for the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program. Basic requirements for admission:

• Completed application form


• Master of Divinity degree from an ATS accredited institution


• 3 letters of reference


• Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions


• Proficiency in both Greek and Hebrew languages


• If English is a second language, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL )

We regret that we are unable to accept downloaded, faxed, or copied applications from international students. For more information, click here or contact the International Programs Office.

All applications for the Th.M. program (including international applications) are due January 15th with courses beginning the following fall.

Please consult the catalog for the complete application process and requirements for the Th.M. program.

For more information:
Office of Admissions
404-687-4517

Doctor of Ministry

The Office of Advanced Professional Studies oversees the application process for the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. Basic requirements for admission include the following:

• Minimum of 3 years of ministerial experience after completion of the M.Div. degree


• Completed application form


• 3 letters of reference


• Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions


• If English is a second language, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL )

We regret that we are unable to accept downloaded, faxed, or copied applications from international students. For more information, click here or contact the International Programs Office.

Applications for the D.Min. program have the following deadlines:

Please consult the catalog for the complete application process and requirements for the D.Min program.

For more information:
Office of Advanced Professional Studies
404-687-4534

Doctor of Educational Ministry

The Doctor of Educational Ministry (D Ed.Min.) program operates under the supervision of Columbia’s Office of Advanced Professional Studies. Applicants for admission must demonstrate the ability to engage in the practices of educational ministry, have superior academic aptitude, and demonstrate a capacity to contribute to the program and benefit by participation in it. Ordinarily, applicants are employed by or hold an official position in educational ministry throughout the duration of their enrollment in the degree program.  To be considered for admission applicants are required to supply the Office of Advanced Professional Studies with:

• Transcript record of a professional degree in educational ministry (i.e. M.R.E., M.A.C.E., M.Div. with demonstrated coursework in educational ministry)
  
• Minimum of 3 years experience in educational ministry after completion of the first professional degree
  
• A completed application form


• 3 letters of reference


• Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions


• If English is a second language, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL )

Entrance into the program is offered every other year in the fall (Fall 2012, Fall 2014 etc.).  Applications for the next cohort, which is to begin in Fall 2014, will be received September 1, 2013 through April 15^th, 2014.   Applications will be reviewed as a group after the April 15, 2014 deadline.  Students accepted into the cohort will begin studies with the Introductory Seminar scheduled for Fall 2014.

Please consult the catalog for a full description of the complete application process and requirements for the D.Ed.Min. program.

For more information:
Office of Advanced Professional Studies
404-687-4534

Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling

The Office of Admissions oversees the application process for the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) program.

An applicant must hold the Master of Divinity or equivalent degree with a superior academic record from an accredited institution. In addition, the applicant must have had post-seminary professional experience in which significant learning and professional promise were evident. In addition, the admission process requires the following:

• Completed application form


• Review of the applicant's academic and professional achievement, statement of purpose, references, and other materials supplied with the application


• Personal interview arranged with the director of the program and conducted by the Th.D. Admissions Committee


• Official scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical reading portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Educational Testing Services (ETS) administers the GRE and will forward the scores directly to the Admissions Office at Columbia (students should not send their own score reports directly to Columbia but should instruct ETS to forward official score reports). In completing their registration with ETS to take the GRE, applicants indicate the institution(s) to which they want their scores forwarded by providing a code for each institution. The institution code for Columbia is R5118. Applicants who have taken the GRE within the last five years are not required to take the GRE again if they do not desire to do so. They may simply contact ETS directly and request that those scores be forwarded. Applicants should supply any scores received on the GRE within the last five calendar years to Columbia. Scores older than five years will not be accepted and students will need to complete the GRE again.


• A sense of pastoral identity, preferably in pastoral ministry or grounded in a significant history of service in the church


• Significant experience in clinical pastoral education (usually not less than four consecutive units)


• 3 letters of reference and all supporting materials

• ThD Financial Aid application to be completed and submitted with application form.

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended


• If English is a second language, a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL )

The items listed above will comprise an application file. The Admissions Committee will consider each of these items in its deliberations but Columbia has no minimum requirements in regard to GRE scores or grade point averages on transcripts. That information will be considered in conjunction with other components of each applicant's file.

The deadline for the receiving application is January 15. In February, interviews will be held for applicants on the shortlist. Acceptance offers will be made by March 1st with April 15 being the deadline for response by accepted applicants.

Persons accepting offers of admission onto the ThD program must indicate in writing their commitment to begin the program in the year of their admission by April 15 in the year of offer. Deferrals will NOT be entertained after this date. Offers will be made to other eligible persons following April 15. Persons wishing to be considered for admission following inability to accept an offer by April 15 will have to re-apply and go through the normal admissions process again.

We regret that we are unable to accept downloaded, faxed, or copied applications from international students. For more information, click here or contact the International Programs Office.

Please consult the catalog for the complete application process and requirements for the Th.D. program.

For more information:
Office of Admissions
404-687-4517