How To Apply

Studying at Western offers the flexibility to begin your studies in whichever semester is most convenient for you. It's simple—just select the best starting point from the three terms below and begin your online application for admission.

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Interested in non-credit opportunities? Explore our personal enrichment options.

The sooner you apply for your desired term, the better. Applying by the early deadline means you'll get an admission decision earlier, leaving you plenty of time to prepare for beginning your seminary studies. You can get a head start on connecting with your advisor, thinking through class schedules, and if you're relocating, you'll have the space to plan for transitions in housing and employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Steps to Apply

1. Submit your Online Application and pay the non-refundable $50 application processing fee.
2. Select four references (at least one pastoral) to submit reference forms on your behalf.
3. Provide official transcripts from any undergraduate or graduate school where you earned 7 or more credits. Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Transcripts must be received directly from the educational institution at which the credits were taken. If they are received in the mail, they must arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security features intact. If they are received electronically, they must be received from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.)
4. Please submit all required application materials by the application deadline to be considered for admission.

Program-specific Steps

• MA in Counseling applicants must complete an on-campus interview to be considered for admission. The interview will be scheduled once the above steps have been completed.
• Master of Theology (ThM) applicants must submit a 10-15 page research-oriented paper to demonstrate grammatical and compositional competency. Note: This is not required for those applying to the MA (Biblical and Theological Studies) degree.  Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Doctoral program applicants must submit a 10-15 page research-oriented paper to demonstrate grammatical and compositional competency. Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

After Applying

1. Once all of your application materials are received by our admissions office, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your application based on the criteria below.
2. During the review process, we may contact you for an interview or to clarify items regarding your application. Please respond to these requests quickly so that your admission decision isn't delayed.
3. If you'd like to apply for financial aid, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then complete any Western Seminary scholarship, grant, and loan applications that are relevant for you.
4. Once we complete your review, we'll send you an admission decision in writing. Any application materials you submitted to us will not be returned to you or released to any other individual or organization.

Admission Criteria

As a degree program applicant, you'll be evaluated on the basis of:

• The quality of your academic history, as evidenced by a bachelor's degree earned at an accredited institution, with the cumulative grade point average required for your program. Doctoral applicants should see the academic catalog for details about the required master's degree content and program length 
• English proficiency (applicants for whom English is not their first language submit TOEFL scores)
• Commitment to and agreement with the World Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith 
• Demonstration of a life that evidences the goals, gifts, and graces consistent with the roles for which Western provides training
• Demonstration of a genuine compassion for others, a willingness to submit to the authority of Scripture, a spiritually-focused vision ambitious for the glory of Christ, a teachable spirit, emotional health and godly character
• Assessment of your references
• The extent and quality of your involvement in Christian service
• Your apparent gifts and potential for placement into Christian ministry
• Meeting program specific admission requirements

The qualifying degree for a master's level program is a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, conferred by an accredited college or university. The qualifying degrees for a doctoral program are a baccalaureate and master's degree, or their equivalent, conferred by a regionally and/or ATS accredited college, university, or seminary. Exceptions to these requirements are limited.

*A limited number of applicants who lack the prerequisite baccalaureate degree may apply for admission to certain programs offered at Western Seminary. Learn more by viewing the undergraduate degree exemption policy*

Western Seminary actively subscribes to a policy of equal education and employment opportunity for all people regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or disability. This policy is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students have specific rights guaranteed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The Seminary also has a policy which prohibits sexual harassment. Inquiries regarding compliance with federal law should be directed to the Office of the President, Western Seminary.