Admissions

First, evidence of academic ability is normally assessed on the basis of the completion of a baccalaureate degree from a college accredited by an association holding membership in the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), holding membership in the Association of Canadian Universities and Colleges or on the basis of the equivalent of that level of educational achievement. International applicants who do not possess a degree from an American college institution will be accepted on the basis of an equivalent level of preparation. The application of a person from a non-regionally accredited institution will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee. In order to do well in seminary a person ordinarily needs to have completed a degree with an average GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants whose transcripts do not reflect this will be placed on academic warning or be called upon to submit other evidence of ability and/or incentive. Such evidence may be submitted in the form of recommendations and other supporting documents (essays, publications, etc.).

Second, the Pentecostal Theological Seminary expects each applicant to exhibit spiritual maturity devotedly given to ministry and worship and daily manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in personal conduct and human relations. Evidence of spiritual maturity will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s description of a personal sense of calling, of experiences in the ministry and the individual’s dedication and spiritual maturity as perceived by those who have furnished recommendations.

DEADLINES

US Citizens and Residents:

Fall.................................June 15

Spring...........................November 15

International Students:

Fall.................................April 1

Spring..........................October 1

PROCEDURE

Requirements for Degree Seeking Student Admission:

1. A completed Application for Admission.
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).
3. An official transcript from each accredited institution of higher learning attended documenting the awarding of a completed degree. In the U.S., "official" transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) to the Seminary. Transcripts from other countries may need to be validated by the proper authorities. Photocopies are not acceptable.
4. An autobiography describing the applicant's personal background (birthplace, family life, employment), church affiliation/credentialing, Christian experience (conversion, regeneration, sanctification, Spirit baptism, divine healing, ministry calling), and reason for applying to this graduate school. This document should be typed, double-spaced with one inch margins.
5. Three letters of recommendation submitted on the printed forms provided by the Seminary.
6. A background check initiated by the applicant based on instructions provided by the Seminary. Cost for the background check is covered by the application fee.

Requirements for Non-Degree Seeking Student Admission:

1. A completed Application for Admission.
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).
3. An official transcript from each accredited institution of higher learning attended documenting the awarding of a completed degree. In the U.S., "official" transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) to the Seminary. Transcripts from other countries may need to be validated by the proper authorities. Photocopies are not acceptable.
4. Non-degree seeking students may pursue up to 14 semester hours in this classification after which they must consult with the Registrar or Vice President for Academics to justify continuation in this category. Before students are accepted into a degree program, they must complete all steps for the degree seeking student.

Requirements for Audit Only Student Admission:

A completed Application for Admission.
A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).

NOTE: If an audit only student decides to later become a degree seeking student, he/she must submit the required documents and meet all admission requirements set forth in the Degree Seeking Student section of this catalog.

Requirements for Transient Student Admission:

1. A completed Application for Admission.
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).
3. An official transcript from each accredited institution of higher learning attended documenting the awarding of a completed degree. In the U.S., "official" transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) to the Seminary. Transcripts from other countries may need to be validated by the proper authorities. Photocopies are not acceptable.

Note: Transient students are those who complete one course as a non-degree seeking student in order to transfer the credits earned to another institution to which s/he is currently enrolled as a degree seeking student.

Requirements for Special Student Admission:

1. A completed Application for Admission.
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).
3. An autobiography describing the applicant's personal background (birthplace, family life, employment), church affiliation/credentialing, Christian experience (conversion, regeneration, sanctification, Spirit baptism, divine healing, ministry calling), and reason for applying to this graduate school. This document should be typed, double-spaced with one inch margins.
4. Three letters of recommendation submitted on the printed forms provided by the Seminary.
5. A Ministerial Experience Questionnaire listing each segment of ministry involvement with a brief description (including dates) of ministry activity.

Special Students are a limited number of qualified applicants who are credentialed ministers (with preference given to Church of God ministers and special consideration given to sister denominations). The total number of special students may be as many as, but does not exceed, fifteen percent (15%) of the students in degree programs. Special students are those who do not possess a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent and may be admitted under the following guidelines:

1. The applicant must be at least 30 years of age and must have been a full-time minister for 10 years.
2. Once accepted, the special student must complete 14 hours of class work and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA for those 14 credit hours.

Note: Once a special student completes the above criteria, he/she must apply to be accepted into a regular degree program.

Requirements for College Senior Admission:

College Seniors may be accepted for dual enrollment provided the combined course load does not exceed 16 semester hours. College Senior applicants must be enrolled in their final semester of undergraduate studies. Exceptions to this policy must be approved in writing by the Dean of the Seminary. College seniors who wish to apply must submit the following application documents:

1. A completed Application for Admission;

2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission); and

3. An official transcript from the accredited institution of higher learning where they are currently enrolled. Photocopies are not acceptable.

International Student Admissions

Documents

International applicants must submit the following documents before an admission request will be considered:

1. Application for Admission form.
2. An autobiography describing the applicant's personal background (birthplace, family life, employment), church affiliation/credentialing, Christian experience (conversion, regeneration, sanctification, Spirit baptism, divine healing, ministry calling), and reason for applying to this graduate school. This document should be typed, double-spaced with one inch margins
3. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary must accompany the Application for Admission.
4. Official transcripts from all previous colleges/universities attended. Photocopies are not acceptable. Transcripts from non-American institutions must be evaluated and converted to the American Grade Point Average system. Transcripts in a language other than English must also include an official English translation. Agencies recommended to perform these services are World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (www.ece.org). The Seminary will only accept applicants whose university/college degrees are found equivalent to U.S. university/college degrees.
5. International applicants seeking to enter the United States and attend classes on campus must provide an affidavit of financial sponsorship. This is a letter and notarized statement from a bank official demonstrating availability of funds for your support and educational cost of attendance. International applicants who will enroll in online courses only are not required to provide financial sponsorship. Church of God international applicants who have been approved for financial sponsorship by Church of God World Missions should submit their letter of approval along with their admission application.
6. Letters of recommendation from non-family members (pastor, supervisor, and/ or professors) who can attest to your commitment to Christ, church involvement, leadership ability, human sensitivity, academic ability and facility in interpersonal relationships. Church of God international applicants who have been approved by the Church of God World Missions Educational Committee will submit recommendations from their field director, regional superintendent, and overseer, using the forms provided in the admission packet.
7. TOEFL scores (for applicants from non-English speaking countries).

Admission documents should be submitted to the Seminary's Admissions Office at: admissions@ptseminary.edu, or by regular mail:

Admissions Office

Pentecostal Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 3330

Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-3330 USA

All admissions documents must be received by the Admissions Office before admission acceptance will be considered.

TOEFL

International applicants of non-English speaking countries must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or demonstrate English proficiency through some other objective means and/or personal recommendations.

For a TOEFL Bulletin of Information and Application Form visit the Educational Testing Service website at www.ets.org, or write to:

Test of English as a Foreign Language CN 6154

Princeton, NJ 08541-6154

USA

Applicants must earn a total score of 80 (internet-based test), with the following minimum section requirements

Reading: 20 Listening: 18 Speaking: 20 Writing: 22

TOEFL scores will be provided directly to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary by listing the Seminary's designated institution code of 1763 on the exam.

Student Visa

When admission acceptance is granted by the Seminary, international applicants must obtain an F-1 Visa to attend the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Contact the Office of Enrollment Management to request an I-20 document at wwriston@ptseminary.edu, or call (423) 478-7250. International applicants should also notify the Office of Student Services if the spouse and/ or children will accompany them.

Deadlines

The application deadlines for international applicants are as follows:

April 1 ............... Fall term

October 1 ........... Spring term

International applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee decision within two weeks of being considered.

Enrollment

The Seminary accepts prospective students for enrollment in a full course of study that leads to the attainment of a specific educational or professional objective. International students with a visa permitting student enrollment in the United States must be enrolled as full-time students in on-campus courses. Full-time enrollment is equivalent to a minimum of nine (9) credit hours for the fall term and nine (9) credit hours for the spring term.

READMISSION

If for any reason a student leaves the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, either voluntarily or involuntarily, formally or informally, and later wishes to return, that person must apply for readmission. Request for readmission will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee and, in certain circumstances, by the Ministerial Development Committee.

Students who have not attended Seminary for more than one year must submit:

1. A completed Application for Admission; and
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency) payable to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (must accompany the Application for Admission).

ACCEPTANCE

Admission requests from applicants completing all steps of the admission process will be presented to the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee determines if an applicant is accepted and the admission status of that applicant based on the admission documents submitted by the applicant. Applicants will be notified of the Admissions Committee's decision.

Official Acceptance

Applicants meeting all admission eligibility requirements will be granted official acceptance by the Admissions Committee. Students entering with provisional or conditional status must meet the requirement for official acceptance before official acceptance is awarded.

Provisional Acceptance

If the Admissions Committee believes an applicant has the potential for success in the degree program to which admission is sought, the applicant may be accepted as a non-degree seeking student with provisional status. The applicant with provisional status must meet the following requirements to move from provisional to official acceptance:

Complete a minimum of 14 credit hours; and
Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

The provisional designation will be removed once the student meets these and all other admission requirements set by the Seminary. Applicants accepted on a provisional enrollment basis are limited to a maximum of 14 credit hours the first term of enrollment. A provisional status student with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 for the first term of enrollment is subject to immediate dismissal. The applicant accepted on a provisional basis may be considered for but not guaranteed scholarships, need-based assistance grants, and student employment.

Conditional Acceptance

Seminary applicants who have submitted a completed admission application form, an up-to-date autobiography, and an unofficial transcript may be accepted as a regular student with conditional enrollment status. Those students with conditional status have their first term of enrollment to submit all of the remaining required admission material. The applicant will be withdrawn from the program if he/she does not complete the admission requirements by the end of the first term. The student will not be eligible to register for a second term until the conditional status is removed. Any request for an exception to this designation of acceptance must be submitted to the Vice President for Academics through an academic petition.

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