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Admission Requirements >

Background Checks

Phoenix Seminary programs prepare students for ministry. Anyone who receives a seminary degree may be regarded as having a “license” to minister. Accordingly, an applicant’s character and moral conduct are important components in considering all applications for admission.

As part of the application process, background checks are performed for all applicants to the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership, and Graduate Diploma programs.

Background checks conducted by other agencies, no matter how recent, will not be accepted by Phoenix Seminary.

Automatic Disqualifiers

The Admissions Committee will automatically disqualify any applicant who has:

1. Engaged in sexual misconduct against children (under the age of 15), including any perpetration of a sexual crime against children (under the age of 15) while the applicant was a minor (under the age of 18).
2. Engaged in sexual misconduct against a minor (under the age of 18) or adult within five years of application.
3. Engaged in conduct constituting a felony within five years of application.
4. Engaged in conduct constituting a misdemeanor within two years of application (minor traffic violations excluded).
5. Engaged in any act of domestic violence within two years of application, including but not limited to, any crime of violence, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, or other abuse perpetrated against a current or former spouse, current or former intimate partner, or family member.
6. Possessed, sold, manufactured or used illegal drugs within three years of application.
7. Been in prison within two years of application.
8. Engaged in conduct constituting driving under the influence (“DUI”) / driving while impaired (“DWI”) within two years of application.
9. Received church discipline within two years of application.
10. Been removed from a position of ministry because of a charge of unethical or immoral behavior within five years of application (excludes ministry removal for economic or institutional necessity).
11. Lied during any stage of the application process, including but not limited to falsifying any information on the application.

Discretionary Disqualifiers

The following discretionary disqualifiers may, upon review by the Admissions Committee, make any applicant ineligible for Seminary admission who has:

1. Engaged in sexual misconduct against a minor (under the age of 18) or adult more than five years prior to application.
2. Engaged in conduct constituting a felony more than five years prior to application.
3. Engaged in conduct constituting a misdemeanor more than two years prior to application (minor traffic violations excluded).
4. Engaged in any act of domestic violence more than two years prior to application, including but not limited to, any crime of violence, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, or other abuse perpetrated against a current or former spouse, current or former intimate partner, or family member.
5. Possessed, sold, manufactured, or used illegal drugs more than three years prior to application.
6. Abused prescription drugs or alcohol over a period of time within two years of application.
7. Been in prison more than two years prior to application.
8. Engaged in conduct constituting driving under the influence (“DUI”) / driving while impaired (“DWI”) more than two years prior to application.
9. Been dishonorably discharged from any branch of the Armed Services.
10. Received church discipline more than two years prior to application.
11. Been removed from a position of ministry because of a charge of unethical or immoral behavior more
    than five years prior to application (excludes removal for economic or institutional necessity).
12. Been involved in the use of pornography of any form or medium within two years of application.
13. Been involved in homosexual, premarital, or extramarital sexual relations within two years of
    application.
14. Had a complaint of sexual harassment substantiated against him/her.

NOTE: This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of factors which may lead to the disqualification of an applicant for admission, and does not preclude denial of admission to any applicant on other appropriate grounds. For additional information please see “Background Check Policy & Procedures” and “Disclosure and Release Authorization” within the Application for Admission.