(See the AGTS Doctoral Programs information in this Catalog for doctoral program admissions requirements.)
Candidates for admission must be born-again, display evidence of a dedicated Christian life and possess the appropriate educational background. Students are expected to be intellectually capable of rigorous academic discipline and to be emotionally suited for Christian service. By the act of accepting admission to Evangel University, students acknowledge and agree to the following: That they will be bound by and comply with the University standards and policies, including but not limited to those standards and policies set forth in this Catalog and in the Student Code of Social Conduct. Primary and ultimate responsibility for knowing and conforming to these standards, policies, and degree requirements resides with the individual student.
The Admissions Committee will evaluate each candidate based on the applicant’s entire application information.
Academically, a four-year baccalaureate degree from an acceptable college is required. A grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is considered satisfactory for admission. Candidates with a lower GPA may be considered for admission on academic probation, which requires a reduced course load during the first semester of study.
Qualified applicants for whom there are questions regarding adjustment to Seminary life or potential for ministry may be admitted with the proviso that the Admissions Committee will reevaluate the student’s progress after the completion of 12 credits to determine eligibility for further studies. (See Fitness for Ministry under the Seminary Student Life and Community section in this Catalog.)
Application Process
Applicants for all master programs should apply early through the Evangel University Admissions Office. For priority consideration, applications should be submitted 8-12 months prior to anticipated enrollment. Late applicants are encouraged to apply at least 30 days prior to registration and may experience some delays in optimum service.
Action will be taken on each applicant’s file as soon as possible after all credentials have been received. The applicant will be promptly notified in writing of the Admissions Committee’s decision.
All master programs are available through seated, virtual, and online learning. Applicants should specify on the application that they want to pursue the degree as a fully online student or a residential/seated student.
To apply, submit the following:
- Complete the Online Application, submit a recent photograph, and a nonrefundable fee of $75. Provide
- Personal statements responding to questions on the application about vocational goals, church involvement, reasons for applying to the Seminary and an assessment of strengths and weaknesses.
- A brief autobiography.
- Order official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. These documents must be sent directly to the Seminary by the schools. Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by an approved transcript evaluation service. The evaluation should contain degree postings, courses taken, credit hours earned, and grades received for courses taken. The evaluation will show U.S. academic equivalency. World Education Service (WES: www.wes.org) is the preferred evaluation company. However, any evaluation service currently a member of NACES (www.naces.org) will be accepted.
- Personal/ministerial references from two non-relative individuals who have known the applicant three years or more. Credentialed Assemblies of God ministers do not have to submit personal or ministerial references.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language must submit scores from the TOEFL/IELTS exam.
|
|
TOEFL Internet-Based |
TOEFL Paper-Based |
IELTS |
|
Master |
80 |
550 |
6.5 |
|
Doctoral |
94 |
585 |
7 |
Arrangements to take the test can be made to: Educational Testing Service, phone 609-771-7100, www.toefl.org. The TOEFL code for AGTS is 6022.
After enrollment, if the student’s mastery of English proves inadequate, AGTS reserves the right to remove the student from classes and require further language study.
International Students
In addition to the documents listed in the application procedure above, international students are required to submit the following:
- A letter fully explaining how Seminary expenses will be covered and proof of financial responsibility (letters from financial sponsors and bank statements must be included).
- In certain cases, a written recommendation from the national church organization endorsing educational plans. If applicant is AG, recommendations may be requested from the AG area director of his or her homeland and from the AGWM regional director assigned to that country.
- Written evidence that a responsible Christian organization will guarantee financial support for dependents remaining in the homeland during the student’s time in the United States attending seminary.
- Written guarantee of financial support for dependents who accompany the student to the United States and for their round-trip transportation.
International students will be required to deposit a $5,000 (USD) fee upon written notification of their approval for admission to AGTS. This amount will be applied to the student’s account. AGTS cannot release the formal I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility” (required for visa application) until the deposit has been received.
International students are required to have all international transcripts evaluated by an approved transcript evaluation organization. The evaluation should contain degree postings, courses taken, credit hours earned, and grades received for courses taken. The evaluation will show US academic equivalency. World Education Service (WES: www.wes.org) is the preferred evaluation company. However, any evaluation service currently a member of NACES (www.naces.org) will be accepted.
Non-degree Seeking Students Admissions
Special Non-Degree Seeking Student. An applicant who does not plan, or who may not currently be eligible to pursue a master degree, may apply for admission to take courses for graduate credit as a special non-degree seeking student (12 credits maximum). If a student wants to take more than 12 credits, he or she must become a degree-seeking student first. A non-degree seeking student may request a reevaluation for matriculation into a degree program after the admission requirements are satisfied and additional application documents are submitted. The graduate courses taken as a non-degree seeking student may be applicable toward a degree.
To apply, submit the following: 1) online application; 2) official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended; 3) ministerial reference on form provided.
Note: In order to qualify for veterans' benefits, a student must be enrolled full-time in a degree program. In order to qualify for Title IV financial aid, a student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
College Seniors. Seniors in good academic standing may apply for admission to take a limited number of classes for graduate or non-graduate credit. To apply, submit the following: 1) abbreviated concurrent enrollment application for admission; 2) a concurrent enrollment verification form, signed by the college’s registrar/administrator.
Audit. To apply for admission to audit classes, submit the following: 1) abbreviated application for admission; 2) ministerial reference on form provided; and 3) completed audit registration form (email Registration@evangel.edu for form); The fee to audit is one-fourth of the tuition rate. (See Financial Information in this Catalog.) Courses taken as an audit student cannot be reverted to credit later. Courses officially audited are posted on a transcript. The 12-credit maximum also applies to official audits for non-degree seeking students.
Unofficial Audit. Spouses of full-time students enrolled for 9 or more credits per semester may unofficially audit one class per semester free of charge. Unofficial audits are subject to the approval of the professor and the class size.
Bachelor's Completion, Bachelor's Equivalency, and Early Admission
Applicants without an undergraduate baccalaureate degree who desire to enter a graduate degree program have options including completing their undergraduate degree, pursuing bachelor’s equivalency, or pursuing early admission to a graduate program. Individuals who wish to pursue early admission must have a minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours and a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average on undergraduate work from a regionally accredited institution. Credits earned at an institution holding specialized accreditation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates for a master’s degree must have earned a minimum of 150 credit hours before a graduate degree will be conferred. Eligible early admission degree programs and the number of elective credit hours required for each approved degree is shown below.
Elective Credit Hours Required for Master Degree Conferral, Options 1 and 2
| Degree Program | Credits in Degree Program | Min. Credits Upon Enrollment | Gap/Elective Credits Required |
| MA Theological Studies | 48 | 75 | 27 |
| MA Intercultural Studies | 48 | 75 | 27 |
| Master of Divinity | 78 | 75 | 0 |
| Master of Leadership and Ministry | 36 | 75 | 39 |
Individuals without a bachelor’s degree who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree have the following options:
Option 1. Finish their bachelor’s degree through Evangel’s College of Online Learning. Financial aid is available for qualifying individuals at the undergraduate level. Options include:
A. Pursuing up to 30 credits through prior learning assessment (PLA)
B. Testing out of courses
C. Taking advantage of our seven-week online courses
Option 2. Pursue bachelor’s equivalency through Evangel’s College of Online Learning. Students will need to earn a combined total of 120 credit hours with past credits plus prior learning assessment, test out, and/or undergraduate courses. Financial aid is not available for PLA, Test Out, or undergraduate courses needed to meet Bachelor’s equivalency. Applicants would be admitted as non-degree seeking until bachelor’s equivalency is met. Upon completion of 120 credits and certification of bachelor’s equivalency, students can then pursue a master’s degree of at least 36 hours. Financial aid would be available for the M.A. degree at the graduate level.
Option 3. Pursue a Master of Divinity or two approved master’s degrees. When presenting 75 credits or more from a regionally accredited institution, individuals can obtain early admission as stated below.
A. Master of Divinity: Individuals with 75 credits of earned credit from a regionally accredited institution can be admitted directly into a Master of Divinity. Students must earn at least 75 additional hours for a total of 150 credits from bachelor’s and master’s work. Financial aid is available for the graduate level courses.
B. Double Master Degree: Individuals can enroll in two approved M.A. programs that total 150 hours between undergraduate and graduate coursework. Both degrees would be conferred at the completion of both programs. Financial aid is available for the graduate level courses.
Gap hours may be earned through multiple methods including:
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Documentation of learning through life experience as demonstrated through the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning recommended portfolio process. Portfolio credit enables experienced ministers to demonstrate college-level learning acquired through ministry, missions, and church-leadership experience.
Credit by Examination. Course credit may be earned through examination programs like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), former military Dantes Standardized Subject Tests (DSST), Excelsior College UExcel Exams, and tests designed by university professors.
Military Experience. The American Council on Education (ACE) collaborates with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military experience and recommend appropriate college credit for members of the Armed Forces.
Workplace Training and Professional Credentials. Courses, licenses, certifications, apprenticeships, government agencies and professional associations are evaluated by the American Council for Education (ACE) which provides recommendations for such academic credit.
Foreign Language Proficiency. Speakers of English and an additional language may be awarded up to 32 credit hours for demonstrated mastery of a foreign language as determined by the language expert.