Admission Requirements

Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies, and Graduate Diploma Checklist

• Application Form
• Testimony
• Pastoral Recommendation
• Personal Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Application Fee ($40)

Master of Theology Checklist

• Application Form
• Testimony
• Pastoral Recommendation
• Academic Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Academic Writing Sample
• Application Fee ($40)

Doctor of Ministry Checklist

• Application Form
• Testimony
• Employer Recommendation
• Ministry Colleague Recommendation
• Official Transcripts
• Application Essay
• Ministry Resume or CV
• Application Fee ($40)

Visiting Student Checklist

• Application Form
• Testimony
• Application Fee ($40)

Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent from an accredited college or university before they can be admitted to graduate studies at Phoenix Seminary. An undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for the Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) and the MA in Counseling. Phoenix Seminary considers applicants without an undergraduate degree for admission. Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree must meet all other admissions requirements and demonstrate competency in theological writing. To learn more, please email enrollment@ps.edu.  Graduates of unaccredited institutions, when accepted, are placed on academic probation. Probation is removed after nine hours of satisfactory progress toward the degree (2.0 GPA or higher). Specific admission requirements are detailed in each program section of the Academic Catalog.

A completed application needs to be submitted by all perspective Phoenix Seminary students. Once the completed application and all necessary information are received, the Admissions Committee will promptly examine the material and notify the applicant regarding admission status. Applications will be accepted a maximum of one year prior to the applicant’s intended start date. Applications for Admissions can be started at ps.edu/apply.

Applicants for whom English is not their native or birth language—even if they are United States citizens, attended American or English-speaking colleges and/or universities, or are longtime residents of English-speaking countries—must submit proof of ability to perform graduate education in the English language. Proof may be demonstrated in three ways:

1. Earn a bachelors or masters degree from an English-language institution, as demonstrated by a degree-posted transcript.
2. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and present a minimum score of 92 (Internet), 587 (Paper) or 240 (Computer). The TWE (Test for Written English) portion of the exam must also be completed with a minimum score of 4.5 (out of 6). A copy of your test and the test date must be provided. Enter Phoenix Seminary’s code (#8513) on your answer sheet to have your scores automatically sent to the Seminary. Information on the TOEFL exam can be requested at www.toefl.com or by writing TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151 or calling (609) 771-7100.
3. Take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Module, and present a minimum overall band score of 6.5. Information on the Academic Module of IELTS is available at www.ielts.org. Please request that a copy of your test results be sent to the Director of Enrollment and Student Services at Phoenix Seminary.

The TOEFL or IELTS must be taken no more than two years prior to the date of application. The purpose of this requirement is to enable students to make rapid progress in the comprehension and mastery of their program of study.

The seminary will consider international student applicants who hold an F-1 (Student Visa), an H1-B Visa, an R-1 (Religious Worker) Visa, a Spouse Visa, or a Permanent Resident Visa (green card) who meet the requirement for a demonstration of English proficiency. Please speak with an Enrollment Counselor for details.

Advanced Standing is an opportunity for students to reduce the number of required credits in their PS degree program. Advanced standing is available in the MDiv, MA (BTS), or the MAM. The maximum hours of advanced standing allowed are as follows:

MDiv                   30 hours

MA (BTS)            15 hours

MAM                   15 hours

There are two ways to achieve advanced standing:

1. Competency exam

Students or approved applicants who have a strong background in the subject matter covered in select seminary courses (whether through undergraduate coursework or personal study), may be eligible to receive advanced standing through competency exam.

2. Assessment of undergraduate coursework

Approved applicants who have undergraduate coursework that is equivalent to that required by the MDiv, MA (BTS), or MAM program core may have credit hours waived according to the following requirements:

1. Undergraduate institution must be accredited.
2. Undergraduate graduation date must be within five years of application.
3. Cumulative undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
4. Specific undergraduate courses assessed and approved by the seminary must be completed with a B (3.0) or above.