Master of Arts to Doctor of Ministry Bridge

Have a Master of Arts Degree and want to pursue a Doctor of Ministry? The new Luther Rice Master of Arts bridge gives you the opportunity. A total of 54 credit hours of approved master’s level work will make you eligible for acceptance into the Doctor of Ministry program. Just complete the difference of 54 credit hours and the number of hours you completed in your Master of Arts degree.*

For example, an applicant with a 36-hour Master of Arts degree in Bible/Theology/Ministry related fields will need to complete an additional 18 credit hours of master's level preparatory coursework at Luther Rice prior to consideration for the Doctor of Ministry. 

*Master's Degrees in Bible/Theology/Ministry related fields are eligible for the bridge to 54 hours. Students with a Master's Degree in a non-Bible/Theology/Ministry related field can still shorten their path to the Doctor of Ministry by completing a 36 hour Master of Arts in Ministry at Luther Rice. To discuss your particular situation, please contact Admissions@LutherRice.edu or 770-484-1204 x 5758.

 

Admissions Process for Applicants with a Master of Arts Degree

  1. Apply online. Choose the Doctor of Ministry program.*
  2. Complete admissions requirements for a graduate student.
  3. Complete additional master's level preparatory coursework (available 100% online).
  4. Complete additional admissions requirements for the Doctor of Ministry program (upon successful completion of the preparatory course work).**

* Applicants with less than 54 credit hours of approved Masters level work and in need of preparatory coursework are considered a graduate student until completion of preparatory work and acceptance into D.Min. program.

** Applicants are welcome to submit the additional Doctor of Ministry admissions requirements prior to completion of their preparatory work. However, early submission of documents does not guarantee entry into the Doctor of Ministry program. See additional D.Min. requirements below.

 

Requirements for Applicants with a Master of Arts Degree

  1. Master of Arts Degree
  2. Complete additional masters level preparatory coursework (available 100% online)
  3. Minimum 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) cumulative GPA in approved graduate-level work
  4. Entrance paper (guidelines available from the Admissions Office).
  5. Two-page ministry experience paper.

  6. All other general admissions requirements.

 

Preparatory Course Work – Doctor of Ministry

Applicants to the Doctor of Ministry degree who hold an earned Master of Arts degree are eligible to be considered for acceptance into the Doctor of Ministry program after completing additional master’s level preparatory coursework. The additional preparatory coursework is required to ensure that all applicants are adequately prepared with the sufficient academic background for entrance into the Doctor of Ministry program at Luther Rice.

A minimum of 54 credit hours of master’s level work (including an earned Master of Arts degree) is required for entry into the Doctor of Ministry. If an applicant does not have 54 master’s level credit hours, preparatory coursework is required. For example, an applicant with a 36-hour Master of Arts degree will need to complete an additional 18 credit hours of preparatory coursework prior to consideration for the Doctor of Ministry. The Office of Admissions will assist each student with the number of preparatory credit hours required.

Students taking Doctor of Ministry preparatory coursework are considered graduate students. The preparatory courses taken as a graduate student do not count towards a master’s degree at Luther Rice College and Seminary.

Acceptance as a graduate student at Luther Rice does not guarantee your entry into the Doctor of Ministry program. Successful completion of preparatory coursework does not guarantee entry into the Doctor of Ministry program. Rather, the preparatory coursework makes a student eligible to be considered for acceptance into the Doctor of Ministry program. Acceptance to the Doctor of Ministry program is a separate process with additional admission requirements.

 

Financial Aid Eligibility for Preparatory Course Work

Preparatory coursework for the Doctor of Ministry program is eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid. As a graduate student, if you are taking Doctor of Ministry preparatory courses, you may be eligible for federal financial aid for one calendar year. Any preparatory coursework completed beyond the 12-month period will not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.