Greenville Seminary - Admissions

Greenville Seminary is committed to training passionate, articulate preachers of the Gospel in the historic Reformed faith. All degree programs emphasize personal piety, knowledge of the Word, and application of the Word.

The Seminary primarily prepares men for the gospel ministry through the Divinity Program (B.D., M.Div.), but also offers other opportunities for study. The Master of Ministry for Ruling Elders (M.M.R.E.) is offered to ordained Ruling Elders seeking further education and to other men approved by their session. The Master of Arts (M.A.) is offered to those who are neither ordained nor seeking ordination.

Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round. Accepted applicants will be assessed a reservation fee that will be credited against the first semester's tuition. The prospective student should submit his application as soon as possible to ensure his place in each semester’s entering class.

Students are encouraged to matriculate at the start of the Fall semester in late August. Transfer students may be admitted to the M.Div. or M.T.S. programs with advanced standing. An official transcript showing the courses completed at the previous institution must be submitted with the application.

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 propædeutic 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.).

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.