Frequently Asked Questions for DMin

Q1. How do I enroll?

A.  After being admitted to the university, students register for courses online at Access.SMU.  Instructions for completing registration are found at the D.Min website under Enrollment. SMU has created very helpful, easy to understand tutorials with screens of the Access enrollment pages.  SMU students will use these tutorials if help is needed. To view the tutorials click here: Tutorials

Q2. Why do I need to enroll for DM8049 & DM8000?

A.  The D.Min degree qualifies for full time status.  Each D.Min. candidate should enroll for DM8049.  This status is important for D.Min students wishing to receive student loans and scholarships. Those who have finished their on-campus courses and wish to remain in the program or those wishing to defer classes will select DM8049-Full time Status and DM8000-D.Min. Research Course.

Q3. How can I withdraw from a course?

A.  Please contact the Doctor of Ministry Office and the Perkins Registrar (jhampton@smu.edu) by email stating your desire to withdrawal in writing.
 

Q4. How do I obtain my Access.SMU Password?

A. Once a student has been admitted to the University, the student will have an email account and password generated.  You will need to contact the Help Desk at 214.768.HELP or helpdesk@mail.smu.edu to receive your password.  Please mention that you are a Theology student.

Q5. How do I change my address?

A. Updates to the student’s home, mailing, and billing addresses should be made by using Access.SMU under “Your Portfolio.”  For more information about changing your address click here: Change Address

Q6. How do I receive my grades?

A. Grade sheets are entered online by instructors and are posted daily after the dates posted on the Academic Calendar.  Grades may be viewed the next day using Access.SMU.  Your login ID required is the 8-digit number on your student ID card.   Due to this new online implementation of grades, grade information is NOT given out over the phone and official grade reports are NOT mailed to the student's permanent address.

Q7. How can I change a grade?

A. A grade change must be initiated by the instructor who taught the course and authorized by the department chair and course dean. Once the grade change form is received in the University Registrar's Office, the student can view it the next day using Access.SMU.

Q8. How do I remove the hold on my student account in Access? 

A. Library, parking and miscellaneous holds are paid on SMU Access.  Students may pay fines online and the hold will be removed.  Tuition holds are addressed at the D.Min office at 214-768-2124.  Please allow two weeks for the tuition holds to be processed manually after payment is received.

Q9. Why was I assigned a free webmail account?

A. All faculty, staff and students are assigned an SMU email account. All official University correspondence is directed to the SMU email address, so it is important to check this account regularly.  You will receive important information about your classes and tuition billing.  For help on using webmail go to http://smu.edu/help/webmail/  Students should enroll in the password reset tool eliminating being locked out of your account.

Q10. Where can I find a webmail address for a faculty, staff or student at SMU?

A.  You can find webmail addresses of anyone who has an SMU webmail account or any departmental webmail account by clicking here: Email Search. 

Q11. How do I find contact information for a faculty or staff person?

A. Perkins contact information is available at www.perkins.smu.edu under Faculty and Staff. The names are listed in alphabetical order.

Q12. How do I request an academic transcript?

A. Instructions for ordering an official SMU transcript may be found here:

SMU Official Transcripts.  Instructions for currently enrolled students who wish to print an unofficial transcript are found here:  Unofficial Transcripts

Q13. How do I request enrollment verification?

A. Instructions for requesting enrollment verification may be found here:
Enrollment Verification
 

Q14. How do I obtain an academic catalog?

A. Perkins Academic catalog is found online at www.perkins.smu.edu  > Academics > Registrar.

Q15. Where do I park?

A. D.Min students may park in Meadows Museum. There is a daily fee to park on campus. Students must go to the Park and Pony Office to arrange for parking. Ask for the Temporary Parking fee.  For directions to Park and Pony, click here:

Park and Pony

Q16. Where can I stay during the D.Min sessions?

A. There is currently no on-campus housing available for the Doctor of Ministry program.  The D.Min students will handle their own housing, hotel and travel arrangements.  Many local hotels offer students an SMU discount. For a hotel list click here: Where To Stay
 

Q17. Where can I make copies and use my computer?

A. The campus libraries have copy machines and wireless internet.  Copy cards may be purchased at Bridwell Library. Selecman Hall houses the computer lab for student’s use.

Q18. How do I get a D.Min committee?

A.  It is the responsibility of the candidate to propose persons to serve on his or her committee after consultation with the director.  Candidates should only propose persons with whom they have discussed the project and have ascertained their willingness to serve.  The director will approve the committee after receiving a vita or resume for committee persons who are not employed at SMU. More details can be found in the Doctor of Ministry Guidelines Booklet found online at the D.Min website.

Q19. Who do I contact with questions while working on my project?

A.  Your D.Min committee and the director can answer any questions you may have. Your committee is composed of three persons who have distinct roles in the project. All of the persons on your committee are expected to be available to offer a candidate advice and counsel at all stages of the professional project. Your advisor has the primary and major responsibility.  The director of the D.Min program is available for consultation with any member of your committee to help clarify the Guidelines Booklet as well as answer questions that may arise in working with you on your project.

Q20. How do I file for graduation?

A. Students must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate (ACG) form with the D.Min office at the beginning of the term in which they are scheduled to complete all degree requirements. Applications should be filed by the deadline date in the University Calendar. For a copy of the ACG click here: Graduation Form.  For detailed instructions during the graduation term, please review the Graduation Checklist found on the D.Min website.

Q21. How do I get reinstated or readmitted?

A.  D.Min students who have temporarily dropped course work may request to be readmitted by using the Readmission form found here: Readmit Form.  Please submit ALL of the required information to the D.Min office address listed on the form.