Admissions:
Frequently-Asked Questions
What is the deadline for admission?
At St. Paul Lutheran Seminary we have a rolling admissions process.
We accept application throughout the year and process them as
received. In order to ensure timely processing of materials and
completion of the process it is advisable to have all forms
submitted at least one month before the start of the term.
What kinds of letters of recommendation are
needed?
It is helpful to have at least one recommendation from a person who
can speak to your faith life and church involvement. A colleague or
supervisor who can speak to your work ethic is also helpful.
Where appropriate, a professor or teacher who can speak to your
academic abilities is advisable. We strongly discourage using
family members as references.
Is St. Paul Lutheran Seminary accredited?
SPLS is not accredited at this time, but will be seeking
accreditation at the earliest possible date after the graduation of
our first student class. Our intent is to work toward accreditation
through the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Does SPLS accept transfer credits?
SPLS accepts transfer credits from schools with regional or ATS
accreditation. Credits from non-accredited schools are
reviewed on a case by case basis. No more than 45 credits can be
transferred into the Master of Divinity program.
What church bodies accept degrees from St.
Paul?
SPLS is in conversation with a number of church bodies regarding
acceptance of our students. At this time it is advisable to speak
directly with a representative of the church body in which you plan
to serve to determine if they will recognize a Master of Divinity
or certification from SPLS.
Is a bachelor’s degree required for admission to the
MDiv program?
In special circumstances students who have not completed an
undergraduate degree can be considered for admission to the Master
of Divinity program. In these cases, life experience that
shows preparation for graduate education is required. An
additional admission essay detailing the circumstances to be
considered and demonstrating the candidates writing abilities is
required.
Is Greek a prerequisite for admission?
One year of Greek is a prerequisite for the Master of Divinity
program. Students who did not study Greek at their undergraduate
institution can take Greek through St. Paul Lutheran Seminary for
no credit, either in the summer or during their first year of
enrollment. Students who have studied Greek but have no
undergraduate credits in Greek will have the opportunity to take a
proficiency exam to demonstrate their competence in Greek.
Can I take classes without being enrolled in a degree
program?
St. Paul Lutheran Seminary does not require enrollment in a degree
program to take courses. Students interested in taking a
class can apply for admission as non-degree students or can audit
courses for no credit. Students enrolling as non-degree students
who later desire to enter a degree program are required to complete
the admission process for that program.