Admissions Requirements
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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: 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)
*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: 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)
*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
*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.
DMin Admissions Requirements:
Master of Divinity or Master in Ministry from a regionally accredited college or university
- 3.0 GPA or better
- 2 years of ministry experience (or 4800 hours)
The Academic Council grants admission to the DMin 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.
- Biographical Information: Begin application and submit online.
https://theology.mercer.edu/admissions/apply-now/
Ask your Admissions Counselor for a code to waive your application fee!
- Background Check
Background Check*: Completed online at Castle Branch (https://portal.castlebranch.com/MR81). 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.
- Additional Written Documents:
The following can be uploaded by the applicant to the online application portal or emailed to theologyadmissions@mercer.edu
-
- Career Assessment: 3-4 page, written career assessment describing the applicant’s history, ministry experience, ministry competencies, sense of call, goals for DMin study, theological self-reflection and a general area of research interest for a Project Thesis.
- Writing Sample: 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.
- Covenant of Support: This document is to ensure institutional and contextual support from the applicant’s community of faith or supporting ministry context.
- Official Transcripts:
The following will need to be submitted to us directly from your higher education institutions:
Official Transcripts: Required from all higher educational institutions previously attended. A grade point average of 3.25 from all master’s degree study in theology is preferred. Official transcripts from all higher education institutions previously attended. A grade point average of 3.25 from all master’s degree study in theology is preferred. Applicants should reach out to the Office of Admissions to receive a transcript evaluation and to discuss their qualifications. Transcripts can be submitted electronically from your previous school’s ordering service or through the mail in a sealed envelope to:
McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University
Office of Admissions
3001 Mercer University Drive
Atlanta, GA 30341
- Recommendations
Applicants will need a total of three recommenders to complete our Doctor of Ministry Recommendation Form. Your recommenders can submit the completed form to us at theologyadmissions@mercer.edu Recommenders chosen must consist of the following:
- Pastor/Church Leader
- Professor/Supervisor
- Professor/Supervisor
- Interview
An on-site, Zoom, or telephone interview arranged by the Office of Admissions with the Director of our Doctor of Ministry program.
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.
McAfee welcomes applicants from across the globe. There are certain restrictions that apply to prospective students who are not United States citizens. Besides completing the above requirements for the degree you are applying to please also read the eligibility, TOEFL requirements, and I-20 form information below.
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.