- A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, from a college or university regionally accredited in the United States or Canada. A Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution (with 3.0 cumulative grade point average, on a scale of 4.0) is required. Equivalency may be obtained, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, by such factors as possession of two master’s degrees in fields related to ministry. Students not meeting these © Oblate School of requirements are encouraged to take graduate theological courses which may be accepted, along with other graduate degrees already obtained, towards equivalency. Ministerial experience may not be considered as equivalent of, or a substitute for, the MDiv degree. Students who do not meet the admission requirements may be admitted on probationary status at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
- International students must present an acceptable score (internet-based 79) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The code number for OST is 6527. Please note that this code number is normally not available in the information booklet or at test centers
- A minimum of three years of full-time professional ministerial experience subsequent to the MDiv degree or its equivalent.
- Current full-time involvement in Church ministry attested to by one OST recommendation form from the Supervisor/Superior of the applicant’s present ministry. The applicant gives the form to the recommender; the recommender sends it directly to the OST Admissions Office.
- Submit two additional completed OST recommendation forms. These recommendations attest to the applicant’s religious, moral and intellectual qualifications for ministry. A) One must be someone who is qualified to attest to the applicant’s academic ability; B) and one may be from any other person of the applicant’s choosing. The applicant gives the form to the recommenders. The recommender sends it directly to OST’s Admissions Office.
- Ecclesiastical approbation/denominational endorsement is required when appropriate. If married, spousal approval (i.e., a letter acknowledging the time and financial commitment
involved) is required.
- Completed OST Application Form with required application fee. Consult the current financial information sheet for all fee structures and tuition information.
- A six to ten page essay in which the applicant describes: (Please use these subheadings in your essay.)
- the applicant’s understanding of ministry in light of a given faith tradition
- reasons for undertaking the DMin Program and how it relates to that
understanding of ministry
- projected area of specialized competency
- a specific challenge to applicant’s particular ministry which he/she hopes to address in a future pastoral project
- A detailed professional resume including a list of all professional publications.
- Official transcripts in sealed envelopes of all studies accomplished at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This should include any past or present Clinical Pastoral Education. Sealed, official transcripts may be included with the application or the respective school(s) may send them to OST’s Registrar.
- Non-U.S. citizens must submit a copy of any and all documents issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for entry into the United States of America as a non-immigrant student, religious worker, or permanent resident. These documents include: a copy of the applicant’s current passport, U.S. visa and I-94. These copies must be received before the applicant can begin studies.
- Special requirements of each area of specialization include, but are not limited to:
- For the Spiritual Formation in the Local Community specialization: an annotated bibliography of works which have been read in the last three years that are germane to this area.
- For the Hispanic/Latino Ministry specialization: (a) ability to speak, comprehend, read, and write in Spanish; (b) experience in Hispanic/Latino ministry.
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