Western’s nurturing academic community is committed to giving students the tools they need to succeed.
Knowing where to find the answers to your questions is often confusing! Our Student Life staff will help you or direct you to the right person.
Helpful Links
- Internships
- Leading Daily Worship
- Registrar
- Virtual Bookstore (please be patient, slow-loading)
- Housing Issues
- Academic yearly calendar
- Course Descriptions
- For class schedules, please go to the Student Portal.
- Tuition Rate & Payments
- Financial Aid
- Employment opportunities advertised by churches/ministries
- Filing a formal complaint
- Campus safety and security report and fire report
- Campus emergency procedures
Student Support Services
Writing Studio
Would you like to improve your writing skills? Tutors are equipped to help students learn how to conceive, develop, organize and clarify their writing efforts. The Writing Studio is a free service for enrolled students. Sign up for an appointment with a tutor here.
Student Assistance Program
The Student Assistance Program provides individual counseling and spiritual direction opportunities for students at Western. Formative workshops and general education-for-ministry events are provided throughout the year. SAP is underwritten by the seminary and the Dr. Stanley Rock Preparation for Ministry Fund.
Office of Academic Affairs – Registrar
Need to order a transcript or register for a class? Visit the Registrar now!
Location
Student Life is located on the second floor of the atrium in the Academic and Student Life Office.
Canvas Course Management Software
Canvas is a web-based course management software that enables teaching, learning, and communicating on the Internet. To use Canvas, you need to know basic Internet browsing and email skills. Knowing how to download and upload files and understanding attachments is crucial. Be sure your machine meets the technical requirements listed on the right of this page.
Please contact Educational Technologist Specialist Kathy Ehmann with any technical questions about using Canvas. 800-392-8554, ext. 186
How do I access Canvas?
Go to http://westernsem.instructure.com. Type in your user name and password, then click the Log On button to log in.
Technical Requirements:
Operating system
Because it’s built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.
- Windows 7 and newer
- Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
- Linux – ChromeOS
Mobile Operating System Native App Support
- iOS 7 and newer
- Android 4.2 and newer
Computer Speed and Processor
- Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible
- 1GB of RAM
- 2GHz processor
Internet Speed
Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments.
- Minimum of 512kbps
- Wireless connection is available on campus
Screen Readers
- Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
- PC: JAWS (latest version for Internet Explorer 10 &11)
- PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)
- There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome
Screen Size
- A minimum of 1024×600. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app.
Web Browser
- Internet Explorer 11 and Edge 40 and 41 (Windows only, with the current operating system)
- Chrome 62 and 63
- Safari 10 and 11 (Macintosh only)
- Firefox 56 and 57 (Extended Releases are not supported)
- Flash 27 and 28 (for recording or viewing audio/video and uploading files)
- Respondus Lockdown Browser
More information on how to update your browser here: http://goo.gl/zJEsRJ
External Media:
- Webcam Required (Internal or External)
- Microphone Required (Internal or External)
Applications:
- Adobe Reader or Apple Preview (To read PDF files)
- Additional Media Players and plugins may be required: QuickTime, Windows Media Player, GoToMeeting, ooVoo, Skype, or Real Player. Some videos or content may also require the Microsoft Silverlight plugin, which is available as a free download.
Student Government
Student Council advocates for student concerns and provides programming that engages the entire student body. The council is made up of representatives from each class and a faculty advisor and meets regularly throughout the academic year.
Student Government responsibilities:
- Social activities
- Addressing academic concerns
- Common worship
- Involvement in mission
- Social action
The 2021-2022 Student Government Body:
- President: Jackson Nickolay
- In Resident Vice-President: Lex Cummings
- Distance Learning Vice-President: Maddie Lambert
- Treasurer: Daniel Tolsma
- Scribe: Tom Oord
- Junior Representatives: TBA
- Middler Representatives: Andrew Kalthoff and Reghan Harms
- Senior Representatives: Miranda Craig and Stephanie Rodriguez
- Th.M. Representative: TBD
- Distance Learning Student Representatives:
- 5th Year Representatives: Pat Irwin and Kat Hatting
- 4th Year Representative: Gregory Frank
- 3rd Year Representative: LaCosta VanDyk
- 2nd Year Represenative: Scott Crowder
- 1st Year Representative: TBA
- Friendship House Representatives: Ben Bush & Rob Sterken
- Faculty advisor: TBA
Ordination within the Reformed Church in America
Placement & Transcript Requests
Ministry Position Postings submitted by churches and other ministries
Statistics on placement within 6 months of graduating.
Need a transcript? Download and complete this transcript request form and mail it to Registrar, Western Theological Seminary 101 E. 13th St., Holland, MI 49423. You may also fax this request to 616-392-8889 along with payment to a credit card. (Fill out the credit card info on the transcript request form or call the Registrar at 616-392-8555, x120 to relay your credit card info.)
