Apply to Calvin Theological Seminary

Your seminary journey starts with a few steps.

Apply to Calvin Theological Seminary

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We’re committed to getting to know you and to finding out how your story will become a part of Calvin Seminary’s story.

The steps in the admissions process are important, but need not be frustrating. As you work through your application, please contact the admissions office if you have any questions. We are happy to help!

Calvin Seminary School Requirements

General

The Registrar’s Office, with oversight from the Admissions and Standards Committee, will examine the academic, professional and ministry background of each applicant. If it is determined that an applicant would benefit from further study in a particular area, a learning plan will be developed which could include specific seminary electives or additional courses from another academic institution.

By Seminary Program

Non-Native in English

Applicants who are not native English speakers must submit official TOEFL or IELTS exam results as a part of their application for admission. For the TOEFL, a minimum internet-based total score of 80, with a score of 23 in the writing section, is required for master's degree level programs. The PhD and the DMin programs require a total score of 90, with a score of 23 in the writing section. For the IELTS, a minimum 6.5 overall and 6.5 in the writing section is required. Use Calvin Theological Seminary's institutional code 1096 to order scores. 

Any exceptions to this requirement are handled on a case-by-case basis. Earning a previous degree at an English speaking college or university does not automatically exempt someone from the TOEFL requirement. Non-native English speaking individuals from countries where English is an official language, who also complete their primary and secondary education in English, are exempt from the requirement to send a TOEFL or IELTS score.

International Students

International students are eligible for all residential programs at Calvin Seminary, including the Master of Divinity, the Master of Theological Studies, the Master of Arts, the Master of Theology, the Doctor of Philosophy, the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy, and the Certificate program.

Additionally, international students are eligible for the Distance Learning format of the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Arts degrees. As a part of the distance learning programs, students are required to come to campus twice a year for a five-day “intensive” for face-to-face class interaction. For international distance learning students, Calvin Seminary will issue one I-20 per academic year (as long as the two intensives are less than 5 months apart) to F-1 international students.

How to Apply to Seminary

1. Gather Application Materials

Each program requires different materials in addition to the application itself. Please use the table below as a helpful reference. Once all these items are submitted, your application is considered complete, at which point it will be reviewed by admissions.

2. Determine Application Deadline by Start Term

The deadline for your application depends on which term you intend to start.

Program Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Term
MDiv/MA/MTS/ThMPriority Scholarship Consideration: March 1
International Student Final: June 1
U.S. and Canadian Student Final: July 1
November 15April 1
PhDJanuary 15Not ApplicableN/A
DMinNot ApplicableMarch 1
CertificateAugust 1November 15April 1
Non-DegreeAugust 1November 15April 1
EPMCAugust 1November 15April 1

3. Start Your Seminary Application

APPLICATION FORMS

4. Submit Your Seminary Application

Once you complete the initial form above, a separate page will open. Complete the rest of your application. Check your email for two separate messages from Populi:

  • The first email will ask you to verify your email address through the message marked "Email Verification."
  • A second email will contain a link to your application. Save this email so that you can revisit your application and complete it at any time.

Finally, follow the directions on the application. Once completed, click "Submit Application" at the conclusion of the form.

Our Seminary Admissions Team

Your journey to seminary matters, and we would love to connect with you. Meet our admissions team and let us help you start your journey at Calvin Seminary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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