Admissions
TERMS OF ADMISSION
Those applying to the Seminary for any of the degrees must present the following:
- a completed application form, with the requested recommendations, along with the $25 application fee; and
- transcripts of all previous college and seminary work (if applicable).
Applicants for all Master's degrees must hold a B.A., other Bachelor's degree, or in the case of foreign students, an equivalent degree. If an applicant's background seems deficient in one or more areas, he may be required to take propadeutic courses to compensate for the deficiency. In extraordinary circumstances, men who seek to prepare for the ministry but who have not attained a B.A. degree may be admitted to the Seminary to study for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.).
INSURANCE
Every resident must have adequate medical and hospitalization coverage, a record of which must be on file in the Registrar’s Office of the Seminary before matriculation.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students may be admitted to the M.Div. or M.A. programs with
advanced standing. An official transcript showing the courses completed at the
previous institution must be submitted with the application. Applicants seeking
admission as transfer students must have maintained at least a ‘C’ average (normally
a 2.00 gpa) and be in good standing at the school last attended. A statement of honorable
dismissal from the former institution may be required. Credit for work done
at other institutions will be granted after evaluation by the Seminary. No credit will
be allowed for work receiving less than a grade of ‘C’ or its equivalent. Grade point
averages at Greenville Seminary will be computed only on the basis of work done
at GPTS.
Applicants who already hold a first degree in theology (e.g., M.A. or M.T.S.)
may be admitted to the M.Div. program with advanced standing. However, no
credit applied to the degree previously earned will be applied directly to the gpts
M.Div. degree. Only the course work completed at GPTS will appear on the student’s
transcript with the notation that he was granted advanced standing because of the
previous degree.
GENERAL POLICY
The Seminary has a non-discriminatory admissions policy as to race, sex or handicap for all degree programs not related to the ordained offices of the Church. The Seminary is convinced that the Bible prohibits women from teaching or exercising authority over men in the Church. Therefore, only men will be admitted to the Seminary as candidates in programs which:
- prepare the student for the office of teaching elder, namely, the M.Div. or B.D.; or
- require ordination to the office of ruling elder (the M.M.R.E.). The Seminary views its Higher Degrees (the Th.M. and the Th.D.) as advanced study for men who are in, or will be in, the office of Teaching Elder. Again, believing that this office is restricted by the Bible to men only, the Seminary will not admit women as candidates for any of its Higher Degrees.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) needed for obtaining a student visa for entry into the United States requires certification that the admitted student is proficient in English and has sufficient financial resources to provide for tuition and living expenses. This certification must be on the form I-20 at the time the student appears at the Embassy for a visa. To be eligible for entry into the United States for seminary study, the completed "Statement of Financial Resources" form with attached documentation (the form is sent upon inquiry from the Registrar) must be sent to the Admissions Office. This should be done as soon as possible after the applicant has been notified that his application for admission has been approved. The Admissions Office will make financial certification on the I-20 based on funds on deposit in the student's account and on pledges of support by individuals, churches, foundations, etc.
