Admission Requirements

Master of Arts with a Major in Ministry:

Admission to the Ministry major begins with completing application forms and submitting them with official transcripts and two personal recommendations. The Office of Student Services shall determine admission status from the completed forms and student file and notify the applicant in writing of the admission status granted. Regular admission to the seminary constitutes admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. The basic criteria for regular admission to the MA program within the seminary are as follows:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
• An undergraduate grade-point average of at least 2.5 from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
• Ability to pursue graduate work successfully. (The transcripts and certificate of recommendation from former professors and supervisors will be considered evidence of such ability.)
• Three recommendations including:
  1. An academic recommendation.
  2. A recommendation from someone who can comment on the applicant's pastoral skills.
  3. A general recommendation.
• Moral character consistent with the principles and policies of Christian conduct at Indiana Wesleyan University. (The student’s certificates of recommendation are considered sufficient evidence in this matter.)
• Submission of a written statement identifying the student’s philosophy of ministry and personal goals in undertaking the graduate program.

Master of Divinity:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 2.5 from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which a minimum of 30 credit hours was completed.
• An official transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which a minimum of 30 credit hours was completed.
• Three references, including
  1. One from a pastor or denominational supervisor.
  2. An endorsement from their local church board or appropriate church body.
  3. Two additional references of the applicant’s choosing.
• A three to four page autobiography and statement of ministry purpose. The statement of purpose should reflect one’s sense of God’s direction in relation to Christian ministry or service.
• Applicants must currently be involved in an appropriate ministry or be willing to be placed in such a ministry throughout the program (see application for details).
• Students may transfer up to 27 hours of prior graduate work from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of study. Credit for up to half the hours of a completed master’s degree may also count toward the M.Div. if the courses are relevant to ministry.
• In circumstances when the Seminary has an articulation agreement with a particular undergraduate institution, the total number of M.Div. hours required may be shortened up to 12 hours in lieu of established course relationships.

Admission of Students Without a Baccalaureate Degree

Students without an undergraduate degree may apply for admission if they meet the following conditions:

• A minimum of at least 15 years of extensive life, ministry, and/or business experience, or a bachelor's degree from an unaccredited institution.
• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a college-level composition or writing course with a minimum grade of 3.0 or equivalent. If not completed at time of application, s/he must take such a writing course and submit the score prior to final committee review.
• At least 60 credit hours of undergraduate academic work (in the semester system or equivalent in another system) or an associate degree, with a cumulative GPA average of 2.5 or equivalent.

In addition to the admission requirements listed above, students without an undergraduate degree must submit a two-four page essay indicating the student's educational experiences, goals, and experiences, an extensive portfolio detailing ministry, life, and work experience, artifacts demonstrating this experience, and a five page writing sample. Applications from students without an undergraduate degree will be reviewed by the Seminary Admissions Committee.

Admission of Students Without an Accredited Degree

Students whose undergraduate degree is from an unaccredited institution may apply for admission if they meet the following conditions:

• Completion of the equivalent of a bachelor-level college degree with a cumulative GPA average of 2.5 or equivalent.
• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a college-level composition or writing course with a minimum grade of 3.0 equivalent. If not completed at time of application, s/he must take such a writing course and submit score prior to final committee review.

Optional Qualifications

• GRE: The Admissions Committee may at any point in the process require the applicant to complete the GRE. Minimum scores are 400 Verbal, 400 Quantitative, and 4 in Analytical Writing.

To apply for this form of admission, a student must:

• Write a 2-4 page essay in which you:
  • Describe the academic strengths of the institution you attended for your undergraduate education.
  • Indicate why you have decided to pursue a seminary education at this stage in your life.
  • Indicate your long term goals after the degree and how you think the degree will help equip you to achieve them
• Provide a 5 page sample of your writing ability:
  • Take a current debate in contemporary society over an ethical or political issue.
  • Demonstrate that you can write an organized presentation of an issue, represent the viewpoints of others fairly, do research, and defend a position with good grammar, spelling, and some standard format for referencing sources.

Applications will be reviewed by the Seminary Admissions Committee which will include appropriate faculty representation. The Seminary Admissions Committee may request additional information and/or documentation as part of the review process. All “Accredited Degree Exemption” students will be accepted on probation.

Unclassified Admission

Unclassified admission may be granted to students who do not wish or plan to become candidates for the master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, or who do not meet the above requirements. Such students must complete the unclassified application form (contact a Program Representative) and submit a copy of a transcript showing the conferred undergraduate baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 credit hours can be earned as an unclassified student. Students wishing to change from unclassified to regular status must follow normal admission procedures and meet all stated admission requirements.

Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Enrollment

A senior who is currently enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University and who is within the last semester of completing course requirements for the baccalaureate degree may, with the approval of the Dean, register for a maximum of two graduate courses per semester. Such students who desire to take additional graduate courses after earning the baccalaureate degree must follow the regular admission procedure.

Graduate courses may not be counted both for graduate and undergraduate requirements.

Previous IWU Credit

Courses taken at IWU more than seven years prior to admission or readmission to the Seminary cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for either the MA or M.Div. degree.