PS In lieu of the traditional personal statement, DMIN applicants must complete a statement answering five areas of interest as posed by the DMIN Admissions Committee: What is the context of your ministry? How has the practice of ministry informed your understanding of theology? What questions has it raised that you would like to explore? Describe your operative theology as it stands today and describe how it has changed over time. Define ministry and its relationship to the church. Compare and contrast how you have experienced your identity or role as a minister with the way that your church or faith community defines ministerial identity. Where do you see the potential for new developments in ministry to respond to emerging trends in the culture within your church or community and/or among faith communities? While you are not bound by what you propose here, describe the project or the dissertation you intend to produce at the end of the program. Describe the research methods you intend to use as well as theological sources. How does this topic engage cultural concerns, the social role of ministry, or the integration of spirituality with ministry? Explain how your project or dissertation will make a meaningful contribution to the practice of ministry. Describe some of the sources you would use in your dissertation or project. Briefly, outline what you have been reading over the last three years that has had an impact on how you understand ministry. Include theological sources as well as relevant sources drawn from the social sciences including psychology, anthropology, sociology, economics, leadership studies, etc. What are some weak areas in your knowledge of the practice of ministry that you hope to strengthen in this program? Having read through the DMin handbook and our course catalogue, outline your ideal plan of study over 4 or 5 semesters. You can use the projected course offerings listed on the website to help with this process. Explain how your plan represents a coherent course of study, how it will support your project or dissertation, and how it will improve your ministerial skills. Before responding, it is best that all DMIN applicants read through the DMIN handbook and look at future course schedules and course descriptions as well. The more concrete DMIN applicants are in responding to these questions, the better. CV All applicants are required to submit a current Resume/CV through the online application. Fee All applicants are expected to submit an application fee of $65.00. RL All applicants, except for those applying to attend a course as a visiting/non-matriculated student, are required to submit two Letters of Recommendation. Letters may be submitted either online through the online application, or via mail directed to the GRE Admissions Office at the following address: Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education C/O Office of Admissions 441 East Fordham Road, Keating Hall Rom 303 Bronx, NY 10458 Although an applicant's recommender may submit their letter by mail or in hard copy form, the GRE highly encourages that applicants request all letters of recommendation be submitted online. Transcript Official transcripts of all coursework taken at the undergraduate and/or graduate level, including international transcripts, must be submitted to the GRE office either in an official, sealed envelope at the address below, or via an official emailed transcript submitted to the GRE by the university. If a degree has been completed, the transcript must include the degree awarded and date conferred. All mailed transcripts should be mailed to: The Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education C/O Office of Admissions 441 East Fordham Road, Keating Hall Room 303 Bronx, NY 10458