Applying for Admission

The seminary is looking for women and men who show strong potential for service to the church. We seek people that are serious about the development of their personal faith as well as evidence of academic talent, strong communication skills, and potential for leadership.

UDTS is a graduate professional school. This presupposes that all students enrolling in degree programs have graduated from colleges or universities accredited by an agency recognized by the Commission of Recognition of Post Secondary Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada.
Students may be accepted into the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Religion programs for the fall or spring semester. A student may be accepted under the following categories of entry:

• as a full- or part-time student in the degree program,
• as a transfer student, or
• as an unclassified student.

Application Process
Applicants for the M.Div. and M.A.R. programs must:

• provide a completed application form;
• provide a five- to seven-page narrative statement about his or her faith development and views of the ministry;
• provide three letters of recommendation from the following persons:
  • applicant's pastor
  • a professor (or, if out of school for over 5 years, a person who can comment on applicant's ability to complete master's level work)
  • a friend or colleague
• be interviewed by a member of the admissions committee;
• have an official transcript sent from each college, university or seminary attended; and if currently enrolled as a student, provide a letter of academic standing;
• submit a $30 nonrefundable application fee; and
• upon acceptance, submit a non­refundable enrollment fee of $100.

Matriculation
As an institution of the church, not merely in existence for a student's private interest, membership in the seminary community is by invitation.

All applications for degree programs are reviewed by the admissions committee of the faculty without prejudicial regard to race, ethnic origin, sex, marital status, physical handicap or age.

Applications are to be submitted by December 1 for early admission and April 15 for regular admission for the following academic year. Given the realities of housing and financial aid for fall semester admission, applications completed after April 15 are considered on a space-available basis. Applications submitted by November 1 may be considered for spring term admission. The admissions committee reserves the right to postpone action on any applicant.

The admissions committee will require an interview with the candidate before making a decision on admission. The committee may also require a letter from the appropriate denominational body having responsibility for the candidate's preparation for ministry before making a decision. Occasionally the committee may admit a candidate conditionally, based on the successful completion of additional requirements (such as further progress in the denominational candidacy process, or additional undergraduate courses taken in the University Of Dubuque College Of Liberal Arts to supplement the applicant's pre-seminary preparation). The committee may require applicants to submit GRE (or SAT, ACT) scores. The committee may also admit a candidate on academic probation, possibly affecting the student's financial aid. An average of 2.0 or above in the first semester will remove the individual from probation.

We encourage a broad baccalaureate preparation: studies in world history, philosophy, languages and literature, the natural sciences, the social sciences, music, and other fine arts, and religion are recommended.

Priority in the awarding of financial aid is given on the basis of the date of acceptance, and priority in assigning campus housing is given on the basis of early confirmation of enrollment. If an applicant intends to use UDTS housing, an additional housing deposit of $100 is required. These deposits are nonrefundable for students who do not enroll.