Policies and Procedures
The faculty and administrative staff of the Urshan Graduate School of Theology know that applying to a graduate program can sometimes seem overwhelming. We have attempted to make our application process as short and straightforward as possible. Complete the following steps to successfully apply for admission:
1. Visit the Campus
Prospective graduate students are encouraged to visit Urshan Graduate School of Theology as part of the application process. The visit involves a tour of the school and its facilities, attending a sampling of classes and talking with students. Interested persons are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office at least two weeks prior to the planned visit.
2. Submit a Completed Application Packet
An Urshan Graduate School of Theology application packet will be sent to prospective students upon request. A complete application packet includes the following:
a) A completed application
b) A $25.00 application fee. (Make checks and money orders payable to Urshan Graduate School of Theology or you may call the school at (314) 921-9290 and pay by credit card.)
c) An official transcript from every college, university or seminary attended. Transcripts are considered official when bearing the issuing institution's seal and mailed directly to Urshan Graduate School by the institution. The academic transcript should confirm the applicant's completion of a bachelor's degree.
d) The Financial Aid Transcript Form must be submitted to each college, university or seminary attended even if no financial aid was received. Make as many copies of the form as necessary.
e) An essay that tells about your conversion experience and your call to Christian service. Include information that helps describe who you are as a person, your goals, and your dreams. Tell about church ministries and activities in which you have participated, particularly those in the last two years. This essay should be two to four typed double-spaced pages.
Essays are evaluated on both content and writing ability. The Admissions Committee may require the student to receive approved tutorials in English composition when composition skills are weak, if otherwise qualified.
f) Three recommendations, as follows: (1) A pastoral recommendation. In the case where a pastor is applying for admission, the form should be filled out by the district superintendent or equivalent if the applicant is from another apostolic organization. (2) A professor or college official recommendation by someone who is familiar with the applicant's academic background. (3) A personal recommendation by someone other than a family member.
g) Arrange an interview. After the application file is complete, the applicant will interview with one or more members of the Admissions Committee. During the interview, the applicant can ask additional questions. The interviewer will discuss the application with the prospective student along with his/her goals.
h) Take the HYPERLINK "http://etsis4.ets.org/tcenter/cbt_dm.cfm" GRE- submit your GRE scores to the Admissions office. You do not need to take the GRE if you have already received a Master degree. A copy of your original scores is acceptable.
Important Deadlines
Urshan Graduate School of Theology has rolling admissions. Applicants can be accepted as soon as their file is complete and they have fulfilled all the criteria necessary for admission. However, to have the greatest opportunity for scholarship assistance, scholarship requests should accompany applications prior to the following dates: For the fall semester, applications should be received by May 1st. For the spring semester, applications should be received by October 1st.
All material must be submitted to:
Urshan Graduate School of Theology
Admissions Office
704 Howdershell Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
Any questions about the admissions procedure may be directed to the Admissions Office. Please call (314) 921-0986 ext. 7105 or email rmorley@ugst.org
Transfer Students:
Students transferring to Urshan Graduate School of Theology from other institutions must provide official transcripts of all previous academic work as part of the regular admission requirements. Due to the difficulty of evaluating a student's work from another institution, final evaluation will be made based on the student's first semester work at Urshan Graduate School of Theology. In general, only courses with grades of B- or better from an accredited graduate institution may be transferred to Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
The number of credits that can be transferred varies by degree program. The vice president makes the determination. In general, no more than a third of the credits will be considered for transfer due to the distinctive nature of the program at Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
Advance Standing--
Students may receive advanced standing from an accredited undergraduate religion or Bible degree. ATS requires a written and/or oral assessment to show "that students have the knowledge, competence, or skills that would normally be provided by the specific courses for which they have been admitted with advanced standing." Advanced standing cannot be automatically granted based on ministerial experience or content of undergraduate work. A maximum of 1/6 of master's degree credits may be granted as advanced credit.
A student normally will be excused from courses that parallel those from a previously attended accredited graduate institution with permission from the faculty member involved or the registrar. Such waivers must be approved by the vice president. Elective credit may be given for appropriate parallel study. In cases where course work done elsewhere is partially parallel, the instructor may allow partial class attendance and assign special research projects to fulfill the course requirements. Students intending to transfer credits from Urshan Graduate School of Theology to another institution must realize that acceptance of credit is entirely at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Housing:
Urshan Graduate School of Theology does not provide housing for students. Upon request the admissions office offers assistance in locating affordable housing.
English Language Skills
All prospective students for whom English is not their first language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants also are required to take the test of Written English section. For general standards of graduate work in English, a total score of 550 or above on the paper test or 213 or above on the computer test is required for admission. For further information concerning times and places of TOEFL test administration, contact the Educational Testing Service, Box CN6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. In special circumstances, students may be given conditional admission. Such students will be required to take additional courses in written and spoken English until their skills are judged to be adequate.
Students whose first language is not English may be permitted additional time equal to one third of the ordinary amount allotted for examinations and final exams. The student must begin the exam at the time stated (the privilege is not intended for students who arrive late). Students seeking additional time for in-class examinations must make arrangements with the instructor to take the examination outside of the regular class period.
Readmission of Students
Students who have been away from the Urshan Graduate School of Theology for more than one year must submit a readmission application, available from the Admissions Office. The application fee is waived for all returning students. Former students desiring to return to Urshan Graduate School after attending another school must submit a readmission application. (Official transcripts of credits earned since leaving Urshan Graduate School of Theology are required.)
Special Students
Special Student status is a restricted admission category. An applicant whose bachelor's degree is from an unaccredited institution or whose undergraduate grade point average was below 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, but otherwise is approved for admission, may be admitted probationally as a special student. A maximum of 10% of the student body may be accepted under this category. After demonstrating the capacity to do satisfactory work (at least 2.5 GPA) over two semesters of full-time study, the probationary status will be revoked. The student will then be granted unconditional status in his/her degree program.
