Apply For Admission
Application Information for Certificate and Master's Degree Programs
The basic requirement for admission to the Certificate in Graduate Theological
Studies and all master’s degree programs is a baccalaureate degree
granted by a regionally accredited college or university. A student with a
baccalaureate degree from a non accredited institution may be eligible for
admission on probation if other supporting documents indicate a strong
likelihood for success in seminary and an aptitude for a church vocation.
The undergraduate grade average must be 2.5 (i.e., B-) or better, unless significant compensating qualities justify admission on probation. At the discretion of the admission committee, probation may be waived for students with an undergraduate G.P.A. below 2.5 who present evidence of substantial graduate work beyond the 2.5 level.
Under exceptional circumstances, applicants over 40 years of age without a baccalaureate degree may be considered for probationary admission to a graduate program if they:
- have completed a minimum of 60 semester-hours toward a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or above;
- present evidence of significant leadership in church and society;
- have an unqualified endorsement from their denomination;
- visit campus for a personal interview by the admissions committee; and
- successfully complete a test of writing ability.
If the applicant's native language is not English, the student must submit a minimum test score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Application Procedures for Special and Audit Students
Special Students:
Applicants may be admitted for study at PTS for one year at a time without entering a degree program. Although admissions requirements for Special Students are the same as those for students seeking admission to a degree program, the application process is abbreviated. The Application for Special Student Status is available from the Office of Admissions or in the Forms section of the website. Financial aid from PTS is available for Special Students for up to one year.
Audit Students:
Some seminary courses may be audited with permission of the instructor and the dean, depending on the nature of the course and the size of the class. Normally auditors are not permitted in language, workshop, and other performance-related courses for which enrollment as a Special Student is more appropriate. In no case will auditors constitute more than 20% of the total enrollment in a course. Persons who are interested in auditing and are not currently enrolled in a degree program at PTS should first contact the Office of Admissions. There is a one-time $60.00 non-refundable application fee. Students already enrolled in seminary programs should first seek permission from the course instructor and the dean. The audit fee is $90.00 per credit hour. Financial aid is not available for auditors. All necessary arrangements for auditing must be completed prior to the first day of class. Auditors who miss 25% or more of the class sessions in any course for which they are registered will have a "U" (Unsatisfactory) recorded on their PTS transcript, rather than "AU" (Audit). Auditors are expected to complete all reading assignments. Instructors will determine the appropriate level of auditors' class participation. As a general rule, instructors will not evaluate auditors' papers or other assignments.
Readmission
Students who have dropped out of PTS for only one semester (not counting summer) need only to enroll.
Students who drop out for more than one semester (not counting summer), but less than three years, may apply for readmission by completing the Application for Readmission to Seminary Studies. No matriculation fee will be required.
Students who have been out of Phillips Theological Seminary for three or more years must follow the same application procedures required of new students and must pay a matriculation fee.
Application Procedure
To apply for admission, an applicant must submit the documents listed below. For application deadline information, see "Prospective Students." Persons who hope to transfer credit from other institutions should apply as soon as possible, in order that coursework may be evaluated for transfer. Early application may be advantageous for consideration of financial aid awards.
A campus visit is encouraged as part of the application process.
Information About Application Forms
The application for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture (MAMC) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree programs consists of five categories. To access the forms described below, click on the underlined, highlighted name of the form or on "Forms" in the left menu of this page.
-
Application for Admission - Please print, complete, and mail the
form to the PTS Office of Admissions.
- Essay -
Write with care a one to two page statement which addresses your
understanding of how this degree program will help you meet your
vocational and/or educational goals. Include an introductory paragraph
describing your religious background.
- Four References:
Denominational reference form - M.Div. degree. If you are applying for the M.Div. program, and if you belong to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, or United Methodist denomination, you will need a denominational reference from a denominational official. Depending on your denomination, this may be a district superintendent, regional minister, or executive Presbyter.Denominational reference form for Inquiring Students - M.Div. degree. If you would like more information and seminary experience before entering into formal denominational channels for ministerial preparation, you may apply as an Inquiring Student. In this case, your pastor may complete the denominational reference form. Within a year, you would need to contact the appropriate denominational representative (see above) and provide a reference from that person. If, at then end of the year of inquiry, you are unable to provide a recommendation from the denominational official, you may apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture, Master of Theological Studies, or Certificate in Graduate Theological Studies program. Admission to these degree programs requires a reference from a pastor, but not from a district or regional denominational official. Please note: If you are applying to the M.Div. program and your are a member of the United Methodist Church you will need to use the "Reference From UMC Denominational Official" form. All other applicants are to use the "Reference From Denominational Official" form.- A business or professional associate
Denominational references for the Master of Arts in Ministry and Culture and Master of Theological Studies degree programs may be provided by your pastor.
Other reference forms should be provided by a
-professor (if you are a recent college graduate [1-3 years] or a current college student) others may use a recent employer or business associate.
-business or professional associate.
-lay leader in your church.
-
Authorization for criminal background check form.
- Official Transcripts -
An official transcript, showing receipt of an undergraduate degree,
should be sent to the PTS Office of Admissions directly from the
registrar of the degree granting institution. If you have
completed graduate study, official transcript(s) should also be sent
from the institution(s) where the work was done to the PTS Office of
Admissions.
- Non-refundable $60 Application fee.
Complete the top section of each reference form. Failure to sign the waiver on a reference form may result in a reference being unwilling to write a recommendation.
Provide each reference with the appropriate reference form and a stamped envelope addressed to the PTS Office of Admissions. Recommendation letters should be mailed to PTS directly by the person providing the reference, not by the applicant.
To access the Application for the Certificate in Graduate
Theological Studies Program, and other documents related to the admissions
process, click on "Forms" in the left menu of this page.
Application Processing
The application will be processed when the following have been received:Completed application form
Completed essay
Denominational reference
At least two of the other three references
Completed authorization for criminal background check
All official transcripts
$60 application fee
Application Submission 
All materials (other than forms submitted online) should be mailed to:
Office of Admissions
Phillips Theological Seminary
901 North Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74116
For questions regarding application or admission to PTS, please contact:
Linda D. Ford
Director of Recruitment
918-610-8303 or 1-800-843-4675
Email: linda.ford@ptstulsa.edu
901
N. Mingo Road