Application Deadline: Admission for Summer 2023 entry to the DMin program is now closed.

First Round Application Deadline: 12 noon (EST), Thursday, December 1, 2022 

Second Round Application Deadline: 12 noon (EST), Thursday, February 16, 2023 

It is recommended that applicants to the Doctor of Ministry program review the current Conjoint Graduate Degree Handbook and request a brief, informal meeting with the Graduate Director of the College you wish to study at, before submitting an application.

General Information

Applications to the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program are considered by the Admissions Committee of the Graduate Studies Council at the Toronto School of Theology (TST).  TST does not consider applications requesting entrance into its programs at the mid-point of the academic year.

Applications must be submitted using the online application form with all supplementary application materials being submitted as attachments to the online application form, or emailed electronically to gcts.office@utoronto.ca, or sent by regular postal mail to:

• Online Application Form.
• Application Fee: $125 CDN ($125 USD). The fee is payable by PayPal. See Payment Methods for TST Fees for more information.
• Statement of Intent: The applicant must submit a statement not exceeding 800 words outlining his or her academic interests as it relates to their practice of ministry. Please include your thoughts on the theory and practice of Christian ministry including goals, objectives, and rationale for ministry; your thoughts on the present and future needs of the church as it ministers in changing social, economic, and political contexts; offer a description of your research interests and reasons for applying to the Doctor of Ministry program, including TST faculty members who could support your research, and your future plans in the practice of ministry. Please see Section D2 of the current Graduate Conjoint Degree Handbook for more information. The Statement of Intent is attached to the online Application Form as a PDF file. Please use the following file naming convention: Last Name,First Name_DMin_Intent.pdf (e.g. Smith,Jane_DMin_Intent.pdf).
• Selected Bibliography: A list of 10-12 current books or academic articles related to your research interest and practice of ministry must be submitted by all applicants. The Selected Bibliography is attached to the online application form as a PDF file. Please use the following file naming convention: Last Name,First Name_DMin_Bibliography (e.g. Smith,Jane_DMin_Bibliography.pdf).
• Curriculum Vitae (optional): A brief (2-3 page) Curriculum Vitae may be submitted by all applicants. The CV can be attached to the online Application Form as a PDF file. Please use the following file naming convention: Last Name,First Name_DMin_CV.pdf (e.g. Smith,Jane_DMin_CV.pdf).
• Writing Sample: An academic writing sample (between 15-20 pages) must be submitted by all applicants. The Writing Sample is attached to the online Application Form as a PDF file. Please use the following file naming convention: Last Name,First Name_DMin_Writing.pdf e.g. Smith,Jane_DMin_Writing.pdf
• Evidence of Facility in English: for applicants whose first language is not English. This evidence may be either:

(a) graduation with an Arts degree from a University where the language of instruction and examination is English; or

(b) a satisfactory score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic version, or the Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE); or the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test, CE (Computer Edition) The TOEFL score required for students who take the computer-based test is 250. For those who take the internet-based test, a total score of 93 is required, with a minimum of 22 on the writing section and a 22 on the speaking section. A score of 580, with a 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE) is the minimum requirement for those who take the paper-based TOEFL. To request a registration package for TOEFL and TWE examinations, please write to: TOEFL/TWE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA or telephone 609-951-1100. The TST institution code 0655 and the department code 99 should be used. The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and Registration Forms can be obtained in a number of cities outside the U.S. through American embassies or consulates, or offices of the U.S. Information Services (USIS). The minimum IELTS score required is 7.0 (Academic) with no component below 6.5. Only the Academic version of the IELTS test will be accepted. The minimum COPE score required is 76, with at least 22 in every component and 32 in the writing component. The minimum CAEL score is 70 minimum total with at least 60 in each part.; or

(c) a minimum grade of B in the advanced (level 60) Academic Preparation course in the English Language Program of the School of Continuing Studies of the University of Toronto, or equivalent standing at a comparable institution.

Even when the above standards are met, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to require additional evidence of fluency in English. When results of multiple attempts are submitted or scores submitted in addition to transcript evidence, only the evidence with the most recent date will be considered.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts (e.g. scans, copies, or transcripts received from the student) will be accepted for initial admissions assessment - providing that the transcripts are fully legible, and are complete copies of the original, including the grading legend. Transcripts of all postsecondary educational institutions attended and whether or not degrees were conferred, must be received by the GCTS by the application deadline in order for your application to be considered. Unofficial transcripts should be included as PDF attachments at the end of the application form using the file naming convention LastName, First Name_DMin_Transcript_Name of Issuing Instition.pdf (e.g. Smith, Jane_DMin_Transcript_UofT.pdf).  If admitted, all official transcripts must be received by the GCTS office, sent directly from the issuing institutions by 12 noon (EST), April 22, 2023.  *PLEASE NOTE*: TST strongly recommends applicants requisition official transcripts at the beginning of the application process, as failure to submit official transcripts by the specified deadline will result in the automatic rescission of your offer of admission. 

Transcripts from International Institutions - the GCTS Office, on behalf of the Admissions Committee, may require the applicant to obtain a credential evaluation by an accredited credential evaluation service. All costs associated with the credential evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant. Information relating to accredited evaluation services can be found here.

Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

• Letters of Reference: You must arrange for a total of four letters of reference to be mailed from the referee directly to the Admissions Committee, c/o Doctor of Ministry Program, Toronto School of Theology  to the address above, to be received by the DMin application deadline. See the attachments below for more information on reference letters. References may be received as a scan of the original letter provided the letter is written on institutional or organizational letterhead, signed, and sent directly from the referee's institutional email account to the GCTS with your name and type of reference in the subject line e.g. "Jane Smith MBG Letter of Support". References issued to applicants or photocopies will not be accepted. The four (4) letters of reference include:

two (2) letters of academic reference to be sent directly by your referees. Referees should have taught or supervised the applicant and should comment candidly on the candidate's qualifications to pursue and complete graduate studies.

one (1) Denominational or Institutional letter of support from an appropriate official in your diocese, religious order, presbytery, conference, or institution (they must declare full recognition of your intention to enter the DMin program, the year you wish to enter, and be aware of the program commitments (e.g., 4 years of study, on average, until completion of the program; this includes on-campus residential requirements and time allotted for study);

one (1) Ministry Base Group letter of support from a person associated with your ministry base who will act as chair of your MBG (this person assists in the formation of a ministry base in the church or institution in which your ministry will be located for the duration of your program). This MBG group exists to support you as you move through the essential components of the program. Please see section D2 of the DMin Handbook for more information.

• Checklist: Please complete and attach the DMin Program Application Checklist to your online application

A confirmation fee may be requested by the TST college of registration within a month of acceptance into the Doctor of Ministry program. Contact the registrar's office of the member college for more information.

For more information or questions about the application process, please contact the GCTS Office.