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Application Procedures

Application for admission to any program is made on the appropriate form provided by the Seminary. Requests for application materials or other admissions correspondence should be addressed to the Coordinator of Admissions, Academic Affairs Office. A non-refundable application fee of $25 ($40 for D.Min. in Preaching) must be submitted with the application forms; checks are payable to Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.

Required submission materials vary by program. On-campus personal interviews are required for all applicants, except overseas students and applicants for the D.Min. in Preaching and the D.Min. or M.T.S. in Congregational Development. Interview appointments will be arranged by the Admissions Office, after all application materials have been received.

• Master of Divinity, Certificates of Study, and Licentiate in Theology
• Master of Theological Studies
• Doctor of Ministry in Preaching
• Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development
• Transfer Students

Applications for all programs may be submitted throughout the year. Usually admissions decisions are made within four weeks after a campus interview.

Applications for the D.Min. in Preaching are available through McCormick Theological Seminary. Information is available through Seabury-Western Admissions Office, or Ms. Danna E. Gobel, McCormick Theological Seminary (773-947-6270).

Master of Divinity, Certificates of Study and Licentiate in Theology

The following materials should be submitted:

1. Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended;
2. A personal statement as described in the application;
3. Four references from people who are not your relatives, including
   1. Your current pastor
   2. Someone with whom you work
   3. A major professor or, if you graduated more than five years ago, someone who can attest to your intellectual capacity and academic ability
   4. A lay person familiar with your life as a Christian
4. A letter from your bishop or corresponding ecclesiastical authority stating your canonical status and giving permission for you to attend Seabury-Western.

Master of Theological Studies

In addition to the admissions application, applicants must submit:

1. Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended
2. A personal statement as described in the application
3. Four references from people who are not your relatives, including
   1. Your current pastor or another clergy person
   2. A friend who knows you and your work
   3. A major professor or, if you graduated more than five years ago, someone who can attest to your intellectual capacity and academic ability
   4. Someone with whom you work

If you are an applicant for the MTS concentration in music and liturgy, one of these persons should be a professional musician who knows your musicianship.

Doctor of Ministry in Preaching

For more information, visit the ACTS D.Min. in Preaching website or contact Danna Gobel at the Program Office: 773-947-6270; Address: 5460 S. University Ave., Chicago, IL 60615.

 

Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development

Admission Requirements

Admission is determined by the Doctor of Ministry committee. Applicants must:

• have at least three years experience in ordained ministry or full-time church work;
• be at work in a continuing ministry;
• have earned a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent degree from an accredited seminary;
• show strong motivation for professional and spiritual growth.

Admission Application

In addition to the admissions application, applicants must submit

1. A non-refundable application fee of US$25.
2. An official transcript of work done at each college, university or seminary at which the applicant has studied.
3. Four letters of reference from ordained and lay colleagues, addressing their impressions of the applicant as a person, a leader in the Church, and as a potential Doctoral student. One of these four references would include a letter of ecclesiastical endorsement, which indicates agreement and support of the applicant's participation in the program.

Applicants will also need to prepare the following items and send them in written hard copy form along with the application:

• A Summary of their occupational history that describes major jobs held to the present
• A list of continuing education programs (e.g., summer refresher courses, workshops, classes, clinical pastoral education, etc.).
• A brief description of the congregation and community they now serve, the diocesan/judicatory position they hold, or the position which they have that involves them in congregational development.
• A description of their goals in undertaking advanced study in congregational study.
• An autobiographical statement of approximately two to four pages (500-750 words) in which they describe:
  • issues of church and society about which they are concerned
  • personal strengths and weaknesses

for more information contact:

Liz Donohue
1-847-328-9300 ext 28 or email e-donohue@seabury.edu

Transfer Students

Applicants transferring from another seminary must submit transcripts of all work completed at the other institution to Seabury-Western.

Students transferring into the M.Div. program from the M.Div. program of another accredited seminary may obtain credit for a maximum of 19 units (exclusive of units for C.P.E.) and five quarters of residence. Transfer students are expected to meet with the Registrar during the official interview to ascertain the approximate number of credits (expressed in terms of Seabury-Western units) and how many quarters of residence will be accepted for transfer.

Transfer credits older than five years usually will not be accepted; grades lower than B- are not transferable for post-baccalaureate programs. To receive a Seabury-Western degree, a student must complete at least 12 units at Seabury-Western and be in residence four quarters.