Admissions Requirements

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Admissions requirements for the M.Div. and M.A.C.M. in residence programs include:

• Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
• Resume/CV- Including church positions and service, secular occupations, community involvement, academic honors, and research, civic, or leadership awards.
• Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended. Applicants are required to have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.
• Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch, or call (888) 666-7788 for more information. Please allow up to a month for us to receive the report. The package cost is $31.75, which must be ordered and purchased directly online by the applicant.
• Application Fee: $50
• Autobiographical Essay: In 1,250-1,500 words speak to the following four questions: Give an account of your Christian pilgrimage. Tell the story of your personal commitment and call to ministry. What factors have led you to apply to McAfee School of Theology for your theological training? What are your ministry goals (the kind of ministries you envision for yourself)?
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Pastor/Church Leader
  • Professor/Supervisor’
  • Professor/Supervisor
• Writing Sample: 2,000-2,500 words of an academic paper on any topic. This may be an excerpt of an academic paper on any topic. Please include bibliography and in-text citations or footnotes. Applicants who do not have an academic writing sample may contact the admissions office for a prompt. Must include a bibliography and in-text citations or footnotes.
• Admissions Interview (as needed)
• TOEFL Requirements. Qualified students whose native language is not English must show proficiency by scoring a minimum of 550 Paper Based Test (PBT), 215 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 79 on the internet Basted Test (iBT) otherwise known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of ELS Level 109.

*Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Admissions requirements for the Online M.Div. and M.A.C.M. program include:

• Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
• Resume/CV- Including church positions and service, secular occupations, community involvement, academic honors, and research, civic, or leadership awards.
• Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended. Applicants are required to have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.
• Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch, or call (888) 666-7788 for more information. Please allow up to a month for us to receive the report. The package cost is $31.75, which must be ordered and purchased directly online by the applicant.
• Application Fee: $50
• Autobiographical Essay: In 1,250-1,500 words speak to the following four questions: Give an account of your Christian pilgrimage. Tell the story of your personal commitment and call to ministry. What factors have led you to apply to McAfee School of Theology for your theological training? What are your ministry goals (the kind of ministries you envision for yourself)?
• Letters of Recommendation:
  • Pastor/Church Leader
  • Professor/Supervisor’
  • Professor/Supervisor
• Writing Sample: 2,000-2,500 words of an academic paper on any topic. This may be an excerpt of an academic paper on any topic. Please include bibliography and in-text citations or footnotes. Applicants who do not have an academic writing sample may contact the admissions office for a prompt. Must include a bibliography and in-text citations or footnotes.
• Letter of Church Support:  All applicants to the Online Master of Arts in Christianity Ministry program must fill out the Letter of Church Support form stating that they will be connected with a church during their time in the online program. The form outlines the expectations of the church and student. Letter of Support for Online Students
• Admissions Interview (as needed)
• TOEFL Requirements. Qualified students whose native language is not English must show proficiency by scoring a minimum of 550 Paper Based Test (PBT), 215 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 79 on the internet Basted Test (iBT) otherwise known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of ELS Level 109.

*Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Admissions requirements for the M.T.S. program include:

• Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
• Resume/CV: Including church positions and service; secular occupations; community involvement; academic honors; and research, civic, or leadership awards.
• Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended. Applicants are required to have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.
• Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch, or call (888) 666-7788 for more information. Please allow up to a month for us to receive the report. The package cost is $31.75, which must be ordered and purchased directly online by the applicant.
• Application Fee: $50.00 (Non-refundable)
• Autobiographical essay: In 1,250-1,500 words respond to the following three questions: What factors have led you to apply to McAfee School of Theology? What are your professional goals? What are your scholarly interests?
• Letters of Recommendation: Recommendation Form
  • Professor
  • Professor
  • Supervisor/Professional from a work environment who can speak to your work ethic and character
• Writing Sample: 2,000-2,500 words. This may be an essay or excerpt of an academic paper on any topic. Must include a bibliography and in-text citations or footnotes.
• Admissions Interview (as needed)
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 
• TOEFL Requirements. Qualified students whose native language is not English must show proficiency by scoring a minimum of 550 Paper Based Test (PBT), 215 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 79 on the internet Basted Test (iBT) otherwise known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of ELS Level 109.

*Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Combined Degree applicants need to apply to each degree program separately. For example, if you are interested in the Master of Divinity and the Master of Business Administration combined degrees, you will need to apply to both McAfee School of Theology and Stetson-Hatcher School of Business.

• For Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, please see the above details for admission requirements
• For Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health, please go here.
• For Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, please go here.
• For Master of Business Administration, please go here.
• For Master of Music in Church Music, please go here.

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

The Academic Council grants admission to the D.Min. degree program.  Decisions are based on the total profile of the applicant, including an analysis of the applicant’s writing ability; quality of recommendations; grade point averages of academic work; and the nature and extent of the applicant’s ministry experience.

Admissions requirements for the D.Min. program include:

• Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
• Resume/CV: Including church positions and service; secular occupations; community involvement; academic honors; and research, civic, or leadership awards.
• Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended. Applicants are required to have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university. A grade point average of 3.25 from all master’s degree study in theology is preferred. Applicants must have completed a regionally accredited Master’s Degree of at least 38 hours that includes the range of courses below (32 hours) and at least 6 additional graduate hours from a regionally accredited college or university (or a recognized international accrediting organization).
  • Interpretation of Scripture and Theological Tradition of Ministry Context
    Applicant must have completed at least one course in Old Testament Studies (3 hours), one course in New Testament Studies (3 hours), one course in Theology (3 hours), one course in Ethics (3 hours), and one course in Church History (3 hours).
  • Understand and Adapt Ministry to the Cultural Context
    Applicant must have completed at least one course in intercultural studies related to ministry (3 hours) and three courses (9 hours) in practical ministry areas.
    
  • Basic Self-Understanding of Ministerial Identity and Vocational Calling
    Applicant must have completed at least one course in contextual ministry/supervised ministry/field education/CPE (3 hours), or its equivalent, and should submit in the application process a self-assessment of ministerial identity and vocational calling (see required career assessment below).
  • Ongoing Personal and Spiritual Formation for Ministry
    Applicant must have completed at least one course in spiritual formation (2 hours) or the equivalent and demonstrate a concern for ongoing personal and spiritual formation in an interview with a faculty member at the School of Theology.
  • Applicants with a graduate theological degree who meet the admission requirements of the D.Min. Program, but lack courses in required areas and/or overall graduate hours, may be admitted into the Doctor of Ministry program on a conditional basis based upon the following criteria:
    • Applicants requiring 12 hours or less are eligible for conditional acceptance.
    • Applicants requiring 9 hours or less may take the introductory D.Min. seminar (DMIN 706/707 The Biblical/Theological Foundations for Ministry Seminar Preparation and Seminar) while fulfilling their prescribed masters’ level coursework.
    • Applicants must enroll in courses as prescribed by the program dean, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, complete master’s level coursework within one year, and maintain ministry status.
  •  A description of roles and responsibilities in active ministry in which the applicant can complete meaningful research integrating biblical, theological, and pastoral insights into the practice of specific ministry. Applicants must have completed at least 4800 hours of Ministry Experience over at least two years in one of the following ways:
    • As a minister in a local congregation.
    • As a chaplain, campus minister or in another capacity considered to be a ministry calling.

      Such experience may be either paid or voluntary as long as the School of Theology deems that experience to meet the requirements above and enables the applicant to engage as a ministry peer with other students pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree and are prepared to do doctoral level research in a focused project.

• Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch, or call (888) 666-7788 for more information. Please allow up to a month for us to receive the report. The package cost is $31.75, which must be ordered and purchased directly online by the applicant.
• Application Fee: $50.00 (Non-refundable)
• Career Assessment describing the applicant’s history, ministry experience, ministry competencies, sense of call, goals for D.Min. study, theological self-reflection, and a general area of research interest for a Project Thesis.
• Writing Sample of 2000-2500 words (may be an excerpt) of an academic paper from a theological graduate course. Please include bibliography and in text citations or footnotes.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Recommendation Form assessing the applicant’s ministerial practice.
• Admissions Interview with a faculty member and/or the Director of the D.Min. Degree Program.
• Covenant of Support to ensure institutional and contextual support from the applicant’s community of faith or supporting ministry context.
• TOEFL Requirements. Qualified students whose native language is not English must show proficiency by scoring a minimum of 550 Paper Based Test (PBT), 215 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 79 on the internet Basted Test (iBT) otherwise known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of ELS Level 109.*Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

Note: Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Admission Requirements:

• Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
• Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended.
• Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch. The package cost is $31.75 and must be ordered and purchased directly online by the applicant.
• Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)

*Failure to undergo the background check will result in exclusion from admission consideration. An individual with a criminal conviction is not automatically excluded from admission; the School will evaluate the time frame, nature, gravity, and relevancy of the conviction or charge offense in making a decision. Applicants may appeal the decision and will have the opportunity to present information to dispute the background check.

Auditors are by nature listeners. As such, auditors are asked not to engage in course discussion or questions unless the professor has clearly communicated that auditors are invited into full participation. Auditors are bound by the same policies as any student and are expected to adhere to the Community of Respect and any class covenant. Auditors do not receive course credit, nor do they submit assignments to be graded. The presence of auditors and the number allowed in each class are at the discretion of the professor.

Applicants wishing to audit a class must complete the audit application and be officially registered as audit students. Limited classes are available for auditing and only as space allows.

The audit fee for courses at McAfee is $150 per course. There is also a facility/technology fee per semester charged as follows: 1-8 credit hours = $17 per credit hour; 9 or more credit hours = $150.

Complete Audit Application

McAfee welcomes applicants from across the globe. There are certain restrictions that apply to prospective students who are not United States citizens. In addition to completing the above requirements, please also read the eligibility, TOEFL requirements, and I-20 form information below.

International Student Application Deadlines

Fall Semester Entry – March 15

Spring Semester Entry – September 15

Eligibility

All applicants for admission to the School of Theology at Mercer University are required to hold a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts core from a college or university regionally accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education or proof of an equivalent degree from a foreign university.

Admission will be based on your total profile (undergraduate GPA, personal information you supply, letters of recommendation, and/or interviews). A minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall and 3.0 in your major is required. Please refer to the following information below for the additional requirements necessary for processing your application.

Transcripts

• Need all official university transcript(s), and need them translated in English if not already in English
• Course-by-course evaluation of transcripts, including grade point average (GPA), completed and forwarded to Mercer. We will accept evaluations from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates.

Recommendations

• All recommendations must be in English.

Written Material

• Resume, autobiographical essay, and writing sample must be in English.

TOEFL Requirements

Qualified students whose native language is not English must show proficiency by scoring a minimum of 550 Paper Based Test (PBT), 215 Computer Based Test (CBT) or 79 on the internet Basted Test (iBT) otherwise known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of ELS Level 109.

I-20 Form

An I-20 form is issued to all accepted and approved international applicants upon receipt of the Declaration of Finances. This form is used to obtain the F-1 visa.

Submission of final official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended is required prior to enrollment. Accepted students must also comply with all requirements regarding health insurance and immunizations, background checks, and technology requirement standards prior to their enrollment in the program. Failure to submit any items required for enrollment by the deadline will impact enrollment.

Below is an overview of information for newly accepted students to prepare for their start date. All accepted students will receive specific information tailored to their program post acceptance.

All students accepted to the School of Theology need to complete enrollment requirements. General information is listed below and detailed information will be provided by the School.

• Immunizations and Health Insurance
  • The University requires students to  maintain updated immunization records. All students who are completing coursework at Mercer University must submit an Immunization Form. Click here for the form. Visit Student Affairs’ Campus Health site to view immunization requirements and local healthcare resources. For instructions to upload your form to My Mercer,  click here.
  • Student health insurance: Due to the continuing need for all students to have adequate health care coverage, Mercer University requires our students to provide proof of health insurance coverage each semester. Your student account will be automatically assessed a premium for health insurance each semester. Once registered, students who already have health care coverage may have this charge removed from their account by completing the steps to submit a waiver request by the deadline listed on the Bursar’s Website. This procedure cannot be done until after you register for classes. All students enrolled in 3 or more hours for credit must have health insurance the entire duration of program. Students may visit the Core Benefits website to learn more about student health coverage and/or waive the coverage if needed.
• Orientation: All students in all programs are required to participate in a new student orientation prior to beginning their program of study. Orientation dates will be disseminated post acceptance. Orientation may be hybrid with online and/or in-person components, depending on your porgram. Attendance at New Student Orientation is important because it informs you about the academic and student services available to you as a student at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology.
• Technology requirements: All School of Theology students must have access to a computer with Microsoft Word (or software that can export as a Word document [.doc or .docx]), presentation software (i.e. PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, etc.), high-speed internet, headphones, microphone (earbuds with a mic or the built-in mic on your laptop or tablet are acceptable), and a webcam (the built-in camera on your laptop, tablet, or smart phone is acceptable) to facilitate video and audio conferencing. Students are required to access, use, and communicate through the following university systems: Mercer email, Canvas, Zoom, and MyMercer. Students are instructed on these systems at new student orientation. Any additional software or equipment requirements will be noted on course schedules and syllabi. For specific computer recommendations, please click here.
• Fill out a FAFSA
  • Mercer code: 001580. If interested in student loans or work-study, you must complete the FAFSA form and you must register for a minimum of 5 hours to be eligible for federal aid. If you have been offered a merit-scholarship, please sign and return the covenant promptly to the Office of Admissions. The University Financial Aid Office cannot assist you until after you have registered for classes.
• Student housing: Any student who desires on-campus student housing must complete housing forms as soon as possible. General information about housing can be found here.
• Catalog and Handbooks