Admissions

Contact our admissions team! You can call us at 616.392.9973, email our general admissions box at admissions@westernsem.edu, or contact individual members of the admissions team using the links at the bottom of this page.

Should I attend seminary? Which one?

These are life-defining questions, and we would like to help you answer them. As we hear how you sense God calling you to Christian leadership, we can discern together, asking for God’s clear leading and direction. In the meantime, read through these steps to ask questions that will help clarify your sense of call.

 Should I Visit? Will I Fit In?

There is no better way to explore the ethos of this institution than to spend a day with us. You will experience a normal day in our community as we enfold you into the student life of our school. Our campus visitors say they leave with fresh clarity. Come be our guest!

• Attend classes
• Experience our daily worship service
• Meet the WTS community during morning break
• Enjoy lunch and a walk to one of the great area restaurants with a current WTS student
• Meet the president of WTS and/or key faculty and staff
• Learn about the application and admissions process, housing, financial aid, and Western’s distinctive formation for ministry process including potential internships
• Explore your call with our Admissions Staff, in light of possible vocation opportunities

Minimum Undergraduate Requirements

Academic Pre-requisites: Applicants who have completed a bachelor of arts degree or its academic equivalent are welcome to apply. In rare cases, an applicant without a bachelor’s degree but with exceptional compensatory qualifications may be admitted to the degree program under a special provision of the Association of Theological Schools standards.

GPA Recommendations: A 2.5 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is required for admission to all degree programs. An applicant with less than 2.5 GPA may be admitted on academic probation if the Admissions Committee believes there is potential for the student’s academic success.

Transfer Students: Following the assessment of the Academic Office, Western Theological Seminary accepts credits from other graduate institutions that meet the following criteria:

• Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools
• Completed course grade is a minimum of B- or its equivalent
• WTS will consider up to 6 credits in which a student earned a “pass” instead of a grade

M.Div. students must successfully complete at least 30 credit hours at WTS, and M.A. students must successfully complete at least 24 credit hours at WTS to earn a degree. (Note: Young Life staff, please refer to Young Life Master of Arts degree criteria for transfer information.)

Explore the exciting housing opportunities at Western Theological Seminary, or contact VP of Finance, Jon Dockery at 616.392.9973 x105 to discuss housing options.

There are helpful options available to offset the cost of a seminary education for most students. Learn more about costs and Financial Aid and be encouraged.

Questions on this process? The Academic Office is happy to help!

Apply online.

The non-refundable application fee is $50.

If you are admitted and decide to enroll, a $250 confirmation deposit will reserve your place in the program. This deposit is non-refundable but applied as a credit to your tuition account.

See bottom of this webpage for application submission dates.

Program Specific Information:

Distance Learning Applicants: Please note the detailed technological requirements for distance learning on our website.

Dual Track M.Div.-M.S.W. Applicants: As part of the Master of Divinity application requirements, applicants to the Dual Track degree program will be asked to submit a one-page statement detailing future vocational and M.S.W. educational plans. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is recommended.

Graduate Certificate or Graduate Program Applicants and Non-Degree Applicants: Applicants will complete an abbreviated application form, request academic transcripts, and submit a one-page essay describing how their learning might enhance their future ministry.

Doctor of Ministry Applicants: Applicants meeting the pre-requisite requirements for the Doctor of Ministry program will submit their application four months prior to when the cohort is starting. Please see individual descriptions of the cohorts for starting dates.

International Applicants: Western Theological Seminary is authorized under Federal law to enroll students holding F-1 non-immigrant alien status. For more information and application instructions, please email our International Student Advisor.

Master of Theology Applicants:  International and North American applicants meeting the pre-requisite requirements will submit the following with their applications:

• International applicants:
  • A letter of Endorsement and Recommendation from a denomination or a ministry-related agency as indicated in program requirements.
  • A valid TOEFL score of 550 on the written exam or 80 on the internet-based exam. Overall 6.0 (IELTS)
  • A certified statement showing sufficient financial resources and medical insurance for dependents for the duration of the degree program

In mid-August, all new students will participate in an online training course for CANVAS, the learning management system used by Western Theological Seminary.

All enrolled incoming students will be notified of other new program orientation schedules upon registration.