The Northern California Conference may allow pastors to seek a Doctor of Ministry degree subject to the following:

1. A pastor shall not begin Doctor of Ministry program before obtaining the prior approval of the Northern California Conference Executive Committee and the Pacific Union Conference Graduate Study Committee, even if he/she is seeking the degree at his /her own expense.

2. The following prerequisites me us be met for admission into the Doctor of ministry program:
a. Be an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
b. Have a Master of Divinity of equivalent (as required by the Seminary)
c. Have made commendable progress in his/her past ministry.
d. Have served as an employee of the sponsoring organization for a minimum of two years.
e. Have served a minimum of four years in the pastoral /evangelistic ministry.
f. Have no other doctoral degree and not be near completion of a doctoral degree in some other discipline.

3. The study load to be taken by a minister carrying full-time pastoral responsibilities shall not exceed a maximum of eight semester hours or twelve-quarter hours in any one calendar year. This must be spread over a minimum of two semesters of three quarters, with not more than five hours in on semester or four hours in one quarter.

4. The Doctor of Ministry degree may be pursued at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University or at another school approved by the Northern California Conference and the Pacific Union Conference. When a school other than Andrews University is chosen, the specific doctoral program and the school must both be approved.

5.  Finances.
a The Conference will pay one-third of tuition costs and the Union pays one-third of the tuition costs, up to the same rage charged per credit hour by the Theological Seminary at Andrews University. The minister shall pay any additional amount.
b. Per-dim, Lodging and travel will be reimbursed at two-thirds of normal rate.

6. Upon completion of the program, employee will be obligated to serve the conference for one year. If the employee leaves the employ of the conference of receives a call to another organization before completing the degree of before one year of service after completing the degree. The graduate expense shall be the liability of the employee or the calling organization

Continuing education reimbursement is offered to all pastors except ministerial interns who have not completed one year of field service after their residence attendance at the seminary. (For individuals who do not expect to take seminary training this translates to three years of field experience.) It is thought that experience in the field helps each pastoral worker see more clearly what classes might best meet the individual needs.

Each year a pastoral worker may request to attend one or two helpful seminars. The NCC Budget provides a limited fund of $500 per worker for reimbursement of continuing education expenses.

Send in a Continuing Education Request Form. Attendance at all classes or seminars for which reimbursement is desired must be first approved on the Continuing Education Request Form prior to the seminar. E-mail the Request Form to the NCC Ministerial Department.

On the Continuing Education Request Form give a description of the class and what you expect to gain from the class with a copy of the brochure and other advertising materials. Submit these materials to the Ministerial Department for consideration.

Following attendance at a CE event, complete the Continuing Education Expense Report, attach the required receipts (as noted on the form), and e-mail to the Ministerial Department. Reimbursement will be included in your month-end payroll check.