Returning Students

Western Seminary recognizes that there are situations in which a student must take a break from their degree program for a time, only to return and complete their degree later. A student may miss up to two consecutive terms without reapplying to their program. However, if a student stops out for more than one year (three terms), they must re-apply for admission. If the student stops out more than three years (nine terms) before re-applying for admission, they must complete the entire application process.

If a student stopped out of their degree program less than three years before re-applying for admission, they could apply using the standard application without filling out all the short answers. In such a case, the student must:

  • Complete the standard online application in the following way: Fill out all the biographical information, update the “Personal Information” section, and update any changes in the education section if needed. Answer the “Special Circumstances” question on the application with a detailed explanation of why they stopped out, and how they will successfully complete their degree program this time around. (Please write “returning student” in all the other short answer boxes.)
  • Request two up-to-date references, one pastoral and one personal. Students must enter a unique email address in each reference box and then check the "do not send email" in the drop-down box. This will allow them to submit the application.
  • Provide official transcripts for any academic work completed at an institution other than Western Seminary after the student’s original admission to Western. Official transcripts must be sent from the educational institution to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, Or 97215.
  • The admissions department can waive the $50.00 application processing fee for returning students prior to the application being submitted. If the application is submitted and the fee is paid it cannot be refunded. Speak to an admissions counselor during the re-application process to have the fee waived.

Students who are readmitted are subject to the catalog that is operative at the time of re-enrollment.

Some academic work previously completed at Western may not apply to the degree program to which the student is readmitted. Reapplicants who are seeking readmission should contact the registrar regarding credit currency.

 Program Change Guidelines

Western Seminary recognizes that students may begin their seminary journey in one degree program, only to find that a different program is a better fit for their vocational and ministry goals. While our desire is always to help students complete the program that best fits their needs, we also recognize that we must protect the integrity of the institution by upholding each program's admission's standards. The following section describes the required steps for moving between different degree programs once a student is admitted to Western Seminary.

1. If a student is enrolled as a non-degree student, a Graduate Studies Certificate student, or a Graduate Studies Diploma student and would like to enroll in an MA or Master of Divinity level program, they must re-apply. The applicant can follow the returning student instructions as listed in the academic catalog.

a. Re-applications may be reviewed by the Admissions Committee, and applicants are not guaranteed admission into the MA or Master of Divinity program by virtue of their admission into the Graduate Studies Certificate or the Graduate Studies Diploma, or mom-degree admission.

b. If a student applies for the Graduate Studies Certificate, Graduate Studies Diploma, or a non-degree program and then decides to change to an MA program before matriculating (I.e starting classes), their existing application can be reviewed for the desired program. If the student is found to qualify for the MA program, the Director of Admissions or Admissions Committee may recommend they be allowed to process a degree change into the new program they wish to pursue. If the applicant is not found to qualify for the program they with to pursue, the Admissions Committee may require successful completion of the Graduate Studies Certificate, Graduate Studies Diploma, and re-application into the more rigorous program.

2. To switch between theology MA programs, students must complete the Degree Change Form and meet the cumulative GPA standards of the desired degree program; otherwise, they must re-apply.

3. Students in any theology program must complete the full application, including the group interview, to seek admission into the Master of Arts Counseling.

4. Master of Arts in Counseling, students who wish to move into a theology MA program must re-apply, though they can use the returning student (shorter) application process.

5. Students may use the Degree Change Form to move between the theology MA programs and to move from one of the theology MA programs into the Graduate Studies Certificate, Graduate Studies Diploma, or Master of Divinity (Academic Advising uses and processes degree change forms).

6. If a student graduates from a program, they must follow the re-application process if they wish to enroll in another program at Western Seminary. For example, a graduate of the Graduate Studies Certificate must re-apply if they wish to pursue the Master of Divinity.

The re-application process is as follows:

1. Complete the standard online application in the following way: Fill out the biographical information, personal information section, and education section if needed. Answer the "Special Circumstances" question on the application with a detailed explanation of why the student is applying for the new program.

2. Request two up-to-date references, one pastoral and one personal. (Students must put unique email addresses in the additional two reference slots and make sure that they mark no from the "send email" drop-down box. They may add "returning student" as the name.)

3. Provide official transcripts from any academic work completed at an institution other than Western Seminary after the student's original admission to Western. Official transcripts must be sent from the educational institution to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to 5511 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, Or 97215.

4. The admissions department can waive the $50.00 application processing fee for returning students before the application beings submitted. If the application is submitted and the fee is paid, it cannot be refunded. Speak to an admissions counselor during the re-application process to have the fee waived.

Students who are readmitted are subjected to the catalog that is operative at the time of re-enrollment.