Graduate Admissions Standards

The Seattle School accepts applications to our graduate programs three times a year - at our Priority, General and Final Deadline. These application deadlines correspond with group interview events, which are required to complete your application. Application deadlines and group interview dates are posted online at theseattleschool.edu/admissions.

Admissions reviews are dependent upon complete applications. Application materials required for admission to The Seattle School’s graduate programs include the following:

1. Online Application for Graduate Admission.

2. $50 non-refundable application fee.

3. Curriculum vitae including a summary of the applicant’s academic and vocational background, formative life experience, training, qualifications, honors, affiliations, and other noteworthy information.

4. Two essays demonstrating vocational calling, awareness of personal narrative, capacity for interdisciplinary engagement, understanding and resonance with the mission and ethos of The Seattle School, and preparedness for graduate study.

   1. • Application essays are used for assessment and placement. Applicants may be required to attend the Writing Workshop and/or accepted under provisional admission if application essays are deemed unsatisfactory.

5. Two recommendations from individuals who are able to speak to the applicant’s readiness for graduate level study, specifically the applicant’s maturity and integrity, emotional and social awareness, capacity for self-reflection, theological engagement, and intellectual curiosity.

6. Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if applicable) from all postsecondary schools, institutes, universities and seminaries

7. Graduate Record Examination score.*
   *The test score requirement is waived if the applicant has previously completed graduate-level coursework with an average grade of a B or higher and/or if their undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher. 

8. Participation in a group interview.* We place a high value on gaining a holistic experience of our applicants and are intentional about creating an opportunity for each applicant to be seen and known. Our interviews are conducted in small groups and focus on dialogue and group dynamics. An individual interview may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
   *A second interview or follow up conversation may be required at the discretion of the Admissions Review Committee.

9. Current TOEFL scores may be required for applicants whose primary language is not English and whose post-secondary coursework was conducted in a language other than English.

10. Applicants are not required to submit proof of vaccinations.

Accepted applicants must secure their seat by submitting a formal notice of intent and an advanced tuition deposit of $250. Admitted students may not register for classes until the deposit is received. The deposit will be credited to the student's account for the first term of enrollment, and is non-refundable after June 15th of the enrollment year. 

The Seattle School does not require specific undergraduate degree(s) (e.g. Psychology, Theology, Biblical Studies) or prerequisite coursework or to be eligible for admission. However, applicants must have earned a four year baccalaureate degree or its full equivalent from a college or university accredited by a U.S. accreditation association holding membership in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards. General admission requirements include a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Although these prerequisite courses are not required for admission, undergraduate studies in the liberal arts and sciences are helpful. The Seattle School recommends that applicants complete 40 term hours in the following areas:

• 6 credits: English (Composition and Literature)

• 2 credits: Philosophy

• 8 credits: Psychology (Growth and Development, Abnormal Psychology, Theories of Personality)

• 4 credits: History (Western Civilization)

• 2 credits: Speech

• 4 credits: Natural Science

• 4 credits: Social Science

• 4 credits: Foreign Language

• 7 credits: Additional Liberal Arts and Sciences 

An applicant may be accepted on a provisional basis if the applicant’s cumulative grade point average is below the 3.0 general admission requirement. The applicant will be required to take a graduate entrance exam (GRE) and must exhibit the ability for greater academic achievement. Applicants granted provisional acceptance will be admitted on Academic Probation which requires a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the completion of the first trimester of study at The Seattle School, and may contain other recommendations such as participation in the Writing Workshop. 

We highly value the whole of the life experience of each of our applicants. Each year, we are able to admit a limited number of students to our graduate programs who have not completed a traditional undergraduate degree, but whose life experience merits the ability to apply. Admission based on life experience is intended for those who have been prevented from accessing higher education due to extenuating circumstances or systemic barriers. Life Experience applicants granted acceptance will be admitted on Academic Probation which requires a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the completion of the first trimester of study at The Seattle School, and may contain other recommendations such as participation in the Writing Workshop.

*Entrance exams are only required for applicants with a GPA below 3.0

The Seattle School understands that a test score cannot evaluate an individual’s character, emotional awareness, or depth of spirit, but considers entrance exams as a tool for assessing readiness for graduate level study.

Graduate Record Examination 

The (GRE) measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. The GRE verbal and quantitative sections are each scored on a range from 130 to 170, for the highest total of 340. The essays are scored on a scale of 0-6. The Seattle School is looking for verbal and quantitative scores ranging from 150-160 and essays scoring 4 or higher. Scores must be less than 2 years old. Applicants must request that The Educational Testing Service send original test scores to The Seattle School. The Seattle School’s reporting code for the GRE is 4895. Testing centers local to the applicant can be found by visiting GRE online or calling 1-800-GRE-CALL.

Applicants with a degree from a non-accredited institution may be granted provisional acceptance with full admission based on satisfactory work in residence. A copy of the institution’s catalog, providing context about the program of instruction, faculty credentials and learning resources must be submitted at the time of the application. Prerequisite coursework or additional information may be required at the discretion of the Admissions Review Committee to establish equivalency of the degree. 

Seattle School students who are in a withdrawn status or have been on a leave of absence for more than three terms; accepted applicants whose yearlong deferment has expired; or applicants who withdrew a completed application less than 2 years ago are eligible to reapply for admission.

Admissions reviews are dependent upon complete applications. Application materials required for readmission to The Seattle School degree programs include the following:

1. Online Application for Graduate Admission.

2. $50 non-refundable application fee.

3. Restatement of  Statement of Purpose Essay.

4. Official transcripts from any postsecondary coursework completed post-enrollment at The Seattle School (if applicable).

5. An individual interview with a member of the Admissions Review Committee.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline and are required to apply by the General Deadline. See the admissions webpages for more information. International student applicants are responsible for pursuing and securing the appropriate student visa status through the U.S. government.

In addition to the degree program admissions requirements, applicants applying as international students must submit the following admissions materials:

1. Evidence of Financial support form and all required financial documents.

2. Qualify for and complete F1 Student Visa requirements.

If an applicant’s primary language is not English and/or their post-secondary coursework was conducted in a language other than English the following admissions materials must be submitted:

1. Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test results.

2. English language transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions.
   Applicants are responsible for any costs involved in translation services. 

Individuals interested in participating in a graduate course at The Seattle School may apply for non-degree seeking status. Non-degree students have the same rights and responsibilities as degree-seeking students and may take up to 12 graduate hours either for credit or audit, but are not eligible to receive Title IV student financial assistance. An official record and transcript of these courses will be provided upon official request and may be transferred into a graduate program at The Seattle School at a later date. For more information about transferring these credits to another institution, please see the Transfer Credit Policy in this Catalog. Some courses are not available for non-degree enrollment. The Registrar reserves the right to limit non-degree enrollment in any course.

Application materials required for admission as a non-degree student include the following:

1. Non-Degree Application.

2. $50 non-refundable application fee. 

3. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial or photocopied transcripts are acceptable for non-degree applicants only).

4. An individual interview with a member of the Admissions Review Committee.

Applicants must have earned a four year baccalaureate degree or its full equivalent from a college or university accredited by a U.S. accreditation association holding membership in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards. General admission requirements include a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Application materials required for admission as a certificate student:

1. Our certificate application requires transcripts from completed undergraduate degree(s).

2. Short answers (<200 words) to five prompts. 

3. $50 non-refundable application fee. 

4. Create your online client portal to get access to all the information you need to submit your application.

Please Note:

Applications for credit-bearing certificates also need to submit official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions where you received a degree or completed coursework. We accept both electronic and paper submissions.