Seminary Admission and Financial Aid

Admission

You can apply for admission into the MA in Theology or Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree programs by following the general admissions requirements for master’s degree programs. With your application, include these items specific to Seattle Pacific Seminary:

Two letters of recommendation

1. A personal reference from a clergyperson, church staff person, or parachurch professional who will attest to your emotional, spiritual, and academic readiness for graduate theological study.
2. An academic/professional reference from a former professor or current supervisor who can attest to the quality of your work as well as your emotional readiness for the rigors of graduate theological study.

A typed personal statement

Your statement should be three to four pages in length, and should include:

• Your career objectives, a narrative of your personal Christian experience, your rationale for seeking the degree and choosing Seattle Pacific Seminary, and other insights you deem appropriate.

The Seattle Pacific Seminary Admissions Committee evaluates applications based on the applicant's previous coursework, academic achievement, recommendations, professional experience, emotional and spiritual preparedness, and personal goals. Admission to the program is granted by the committee and communicated to the applicant in conjunction with The Graduate Center.

Transfer Credits

If you wish to apply graduate-level coursework that you completed at a regionally accredited university, divinity school, or seminary into the MA in Theology or MDiv degree programs, you must provide applicable transcripts and/or syllabi with your application.

Applicants may transfer up to 27 quarter credits from another ATS-accredited institution into the MA in theology degree program, and up to 40 quarter credits into the MDiv degree program.

To receive transfer credit:

• Each course must be at least three graduate quarter credits and be equivalent to courses taught in Seattle Pacific Seminary.
• Each course will be considered on a case-by-case basis as to the fulfillment of specific curricular requirements.
• A minimum grade of B is needed for transferred work.
• Transferred courses must have been taken within seven years of admission.

In all cases, the final 40 MDiv credits or 27 MA in Theology credits must be taken at SPU.

Non-Degree Students

You may take up to nine credits of graduate theology courses as a non-degree student, if you:

• Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Fill out a short application form with the Seattle Pacific Seminary office.
• Receive permission from the dean or associate dean of the School of Theology.

Contact the School of Theology at seminary@spu.edu or 206-281-2342 for more information.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In addition to current tuition and fees for the MA in Theology and the MDiv degrees, graduate seminary students have these one-time fees:

• September Intensives Student Lab Fee
• Cross Cultural Immersion Fee: Variable, based on event selected by student

Note: Students enrolled in cross-disciplinary courses outside the School of Theology (e.g., psychology, business, education, etc.) will pay the appropriate tuition charged in that school or department. View the current tuition and fees for SPU graduate programs.

Financial Aid

Determine your eligibility for financial assistance and learn the application process.

Limited financial aid is being offered through Seattle Pacific Seminary for graduate students. For eligibility requirements and to apply, download the Seminary Scholarship Application. When completed, return it to

Seattle Pacific Seminary
Seattle Pacific University
3307 3rd Ave W
Seattle, WA. 98119

or seminary@spu.edu before March 31.

Additionally, scholarship and grant directories are available in the SPU Library and in public libraries. Other suggested resources include:

• Grants for Graduate Students, Peterson's Guide
• How to Find Out About Financial Aid: A Guide to Over 700 Directories..., Gail Schlachter, ed.
• Scholarships, Fellowships & Loans, Feingold & Feingold
• Websites: collegeboard.org; fastweb.com; and finaid.org

Parachurch Organization Tuition Discount

The Parachurch Tuition Discount program offers a 50 percent tuition discount for full- and part-time staff actively employed with the following organizations: InterVarsity, Navigators, Young Life, Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade, and World Vision. Eligible staff will receive this benefit on their first 40 credits of Seminary courses while enrolled in either the MDiv, MA in Theology, or Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies (GCCS) program. This discount is extended to the first 10 students who apply each year. For more information, email seminary@spu.edu.

Graduate Assistantships and Ministry Employment Opportunities

A limited number of graduate assistantship funds (part-time on-campus employment) are available each school year. In general, graduate assistantships are for students who have completed at least one year of graduate work with Seattle Pacific Seminary.

To be eligible, you must take at least nine credits a quarter, and must be making satisfactory progress toward degree completion. To apply, download the Graduate Assistantship Application and return it to

Seattle Pacific Seminary
Seattle Pacific University
3307 3rd Ave W
Seattle, WA. 98119

or seminary@spu.edu before March 31.

Also, part-time employment positions may be available in church and parachurch settings. These positions are not considered a part of your financial aid award.

For additional information about SPU's tuition and financial aid programs, visit the Office of Student Financial Services, or call 206-281-2061 or 1-800-737-8826 (toll free).