Admissions FAQs

• What forms do I need to apply?

  1. Completed Application Form.
  2. Transcripts. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be requested by the applicant, usually in writing, and sent directly to Covenant Theological Seminary. No transcripts are required for students desiring to audit classes.
  3. References. Covenant Theological Seminary requires references from your pastor and a number of others, depending on the degree program. Please distribute the reference forms and see that they are returned directly to the Admissions Office. We suggest that an addressed, stamped envelope be distributed with each form to ensure timely return of the references to our office. References submitted by a family member or close relative will not be accepted. Download the Reference Forms.
  4. Personal Essay. All applicants, except Doctor of Ministry (DMin), must submit a three- to five-page essay that includes an overview of your life story, including relationships with your parents, siblings, and spouse; when and how you became a Christian; and any other events and/or people that have significantly influenced you to be the person that you are today; your experience in ministry, such as teaching, evangelism, discipling, preaching, counseling, and group leadership; reasons for pursuing theological and ministry training.
  5. Spouse/Fiancé Statement (if applicable). Since ministry involves the entire family, please ask your spouse or fiancé to submit a short one- or two-page essay that includes your spouse’s testimony and thoughts regarding your pursuit of seminary training. Spouses of current students or applicants need not submit this essay.
  6. Photograph. We would appreciate it if you would send a recent photograph of yourself with your application. This helps us get to know you and your family better as we work through the application process.
  7. Application Fee. An application fee must accompany your application: $50 for credit programs; $30 for audit only.
  8. Interview. A personal interview by the Director of Admissions or a faculty member is normally required for all degree programs. The Admissions office will contact you if this is necessary.
  9. International Requirements (if applicable). TOEFL, Declaration and Certification of Finances, Immunization records. Download the forms for International Students.

• What scholarships are available?

  Please see the Financial Aid Handbook (pdf, 212.71KB).

• When is the application deadline?

  Technically, we do not have an application deadline, as we maintain a rolling admissions cycle. (The exception to this is the MA in Counseling.  See the MAC degree page for details.) We do, however, encourage prospective students to apply as soon as possible so that we can best serve you in the logistics of preparing for seminary. These logistics primarily include housing and financial aid. Financial aid is only awarded to students who have been accepted, so students who apply early and are accepted are able to move forward with financial aid more quickly. 

• Why is a seminary education needed today?

  Recently, our president, Dr. Bryan Chapell, was asked by 9 Marks why seminary is needed. Here is his response:

  "We often think of 'mission' as taking the gospel across geography. A seminary is about the mission of taking the gospel across generations. By its seminary support, a church maintains gospel faithfulness with future generations. It helps to ensure that they will have pastoral leaders who faithfully proclaim God's Word.

  "The pastors we respect did not spring fully formed from the dust. They were trained somewhere. I would never suggest that there is only one right way of preparing pastors, but a seminary education is one right way. By supporting training that collects experts in areas of pastoral responsibility, the church provides responsible preparation for its future leadership.

  "An apprentice model has the advantage of on-the-job training, but the disadvantage of training with only one man's perspective and capacity. Seminaries have the great blessing of 'the multiplier effect,' preparing many students under the best minds in their fields of study. And the best seminaries do this with field-service requirements that will also involve students in the real life of the church.

  "No system is perfect, but the blessings of a good seminary education are seen both in the ministry retention rates of well trained graduates as well as in the increasing availability of first-rate seminary training in the developing world. Such training will do much to curb the destructive health-and-wealth gospel that passes for Christianity in too many nations."

• Do I need a bachelor's degree?

  Generally, yes. On rare occasions, a student who does not have a bachelor’s degree may be accepted into the MDIV, MAEM, or MAC program. Applicants to any of these degree programs who lack an accredited undergraduate degree may be judged to possess the educational equivalent of an undergraduate degree in certain circumstances. The Admissions Committee may make this determination based on one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Results from the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) demonstrating the following competency levels by degree program.
     • (a) MDiv/MAEM/MATS: above average scores in each category of the examination.
     • (b) MAC/MAET: scores must meet or exceed the 70th percentile in the verbal and quantitative categories of the examination, and a score of four or above for the analytical writing assessment.
  2. Satisfactory completion of at least 110 semester credits of undergraduate study with a minimum cumulative GPA corresponding to the requirements of the degree program desired by the applicant. Undergraduate coursework should include at least one course each in English, history, philosophy, the social sciences, and the natural sciences.
  3. Demonstrated ability to excel in graduate-level study by:
     • (a) Satisfactory completion of graduate study at Covenant Theological Seminary as a student admitted to the Graduate Certificate or Non-Degree program. Standards for satisfactory completion are defined as completing 15 credits of study with a cumulative GPA commensurate with the requirements of the applicant’s desired degree program. Coursework must include at least two rigorous courses (e.g., systematic theology and/or biblical studies). Students seeking admission to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts (Exegetical Theology) degree programs must include at lease six credits of a biblical language in their 15 credits of coursework.
     • (b) Satisfactory completion of at least 15 credits of graduate-level study at another accredited graduate institution, normally with a cumulative GPA commensurate with the requirements of the applicant’s desired degree program. Other factors in evaluating this credit include the applicant’s area of study, rigor of their program, and the reputation of the institution.

• What degree programs can I pursue with only an Associates Degree?

  An associate’s degree will allow you to complete a Graduate Certificate. The Graduate Certificate (GC) provides biblical and theological training that equips lay people to bring an informed Christian perspective to a variety of callings and non-ordained ministries. This option provides students the opportunity to pursue graduate theological study without commitment to a full degree program. Students may obtain a Graduate Certificate in one of three main areas: Biblical and Theological Studies, Christianity and Contemporary Culture, or World Mission. On rare occasions, a student who does not have a bachelor’s degree may be accepted into the MDIV, MAEM, or MAC programs.

• Do I have to take the GRE?

  No, you are not required to take the GRE for admission to Covenant Theological Seminary. The exception to this may be if you do not have a bachelor’s degree.

• What type of financial aid is available for Distance Education students?

  A limited number of scholarships are available for students taking one or more courses via Covenant Seminary’s Distance Education. Normally, scholarship assistance is awarded for the actual hours enrolled unless indicated otherwise. The philosophy behind part-time distance education scholarships is governed by the fact that most of these students maintain full-time work positions and do not have to leave their positions to attend seminary. While additional costs for tuition are incurred by the student, there are usually some resources from a full-time job to apply toward those educational expenses. For this reason, the student often does not have as great of a financial need as a full-time student. Government loans are not available to distance education students. To apply for scholarship assistance, distance education students must complete an application designed specifically for the Distance Education program. Usually, financial aid applications received after registration will be reviewed for the next course only. Apply now

• How long should I expect to be in seminary?

  That depends upon your degree program. Most MA students are here for two to three years. MDIV students are here for three to four years. Our research of past students suggests that students who take longer than this to complete their degree have a lower graduation rate as well as a lower satisfaction level with their time of studies.

• What can my spouse and/or family expect for my classroom and time commitments?

  In general, we recommend one to two hours of outside study for every hour in class. For a full-time student taking 15 hours, this would mean 15 to 30 additional hours. Much of this depends upon your individual capacity as a learner. Some students need more; some less. There are also field education hours to consider if your degree program so requires. On average, this would add five hours per week, but many students choose to fulfill this commitment through one summer internship. Finally, many students are employed on a part-time basis for extra income and benefits. Most of these positions are from 15 to 25 hours per week.

• What types of extracurricular activities are there for students?

  Please reference the Community Life page of the site.

• How can I get insurance coverage?

  Contact one of the following agents for help:

  • Vicki Loveall at 314.966.6300
  • Sam Ridgeway at 877 My Insurance www.877myinsurance.com/
  • Carolyn Bunch at The Daniel & Henry Company 314-444-1945 or 866-676-5861 bunchc@danielandhenry.com
  • J.W. Terrill
    Insurance, Benefits & Risk Management
    16091 Swingley Ridge Road
    Chesterfield, MO 63017
    www.jwterrill.com
  • Medicaid http://www.mcplus.org/

• What kind of jobs do students have while attending seminary?

  Most students have part-time jobs while studying at Covenant Theological Seminary. These jobs range from ministry-related to retail to banking to paralegals. Some of this depends upon the student’s work experience previous to seminary but many jobs are available that have no previous experience requirement. In the past students have worked on campus, in churches, at Starbucks, The Home Depot, UPS, Bank of America, etc.

• Can I download Covenant Seminary's Student Handbook?

  Download the Student Handbook: Student Handbook (pdf, 463.87KB)

• Where can I find course descriptions for classes?

  On the Course Descriptions page.

• What does it mean to be taken "under care" of a presbytery or church board?

  On our application, we ask whether applicants have been taken under care of their presbytery or similar church board. Being 'under care' simply means that your presbytery, church, or other shepherding body has affirmed that you are gifted for your intended ministry pursuit and is partnering with you in that pursuit. It is an external confirmation of your calling, gifting, and previous experience in ministry leadership prior to beginning ministry training. Being under care is not a requirement for admission to Covenant Seminary, though many students come under care either prior to or during their time in seminary.

• How can I save money while in seminary?

  The staff of Covenant Seminary have compiled a list of resources to help students creatively stretch the limited resources they have. Download our "Saving Money" PDF

• Can I transfer credits from another seminary to Covenant Seminary?

  Students transferring credit to Covenant Seminary from other institutions must provide official transcripts of previous academic work as part of the admission process. Generally, transfer courses must have grades of B- or better from a graduate institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Courses must also fall within 9 years of the applicant’s expected graduation date. The number of units that can be transferred varies by degree program. Students attempting to transfer Greek or Hebrew credits must take a placement exam before the transfer credit will be accepted. Students intending to transfer credits from Covenant Seminary to another institution must realize that acceptance of credit is entirely at the discretion of the receiving institution.