Campus Visits. We welcome prospective students to visit the AGTS campus whenever they are in the area or in the process of deciding where to attend seminary. Contact the Enrollment Office (417-268-1000) to arrange a tour of the Seminary; consultations with faculty, staff, and students; and attendance in classes of interest.
Employment. Students and spouses who are interested in either full- or part-time employment may contact the Career Center at Evangel University at 417-865-2815. A limited number of jobs are available on campus and students interested should complete the necessary application forms in the Student Financial Services Office.
Housing. Students are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to make housing arrangements. Each fall there is an influx of approximately 28,000 students attending 14 educational institutions in the Springfield area that reduces housing availability.
Seminary Code of Conduct. The Seminary strives to maintain high standards of integrity in all areas of life, including interpersonal and community relationships, academic work, and ministry. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to live exemplary Christian lives, practicing respect and concern for all people, honesty, appropriate behavior, and wise judgment as outlined in Scripture.
Believing that all persons are created in God’s image and that the body of a believer in Christ is the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Seminary interprets the Bible to forbid fornication, adultery, homosexuality, use of pornography, drunkenness, and use of illegal drugs, or abuse of either prescription or over the counter drugs. Seminary policy prohibits the use of alcohol and tobacco while enrolled at AGTS.
Seminary students are expected to conform to these standards and, in doing so, to give evidence of a Christian life and character, to commend the Gospel, strengthen the church, and honor the Lord.
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 Handbook's Code of Conduct. Primary and ultimate responsibility for knowing and conforming to these standards, policies, and degree requirements resides with the individual student.
Fitness for Ministry
As a theological seminary whose primary mission is the preparation of men and women for the service of the Church, AGTS is committed to the personal and professional growth of all students and reserves the right to require the following of all students, either as a part of their classroom experience or as a part of their personal and professional development:
1. The completion of one or more personality and assessment inventories which become a part of the student’s seminary file. These inventories may be utilized in academic, personal, and professional guidance counseling.
2. Periodic reviews of the student’s academic and personal growth may be required to assist in his or her adjustment to seminary life and his or her fitness for ministry as an ordained clergyperson or professional. The student may be required to undergo counseling at his or her own expense or enter into particular growth contracts to address specific fitness for ministry concerns.
3. A final review before graduation may be required to insure that all contractual expectations regarding fitness for ministry have been met.
The Seminary reserves the right to suspend a student for a stipulated period of time to address specific emotional and behavioral fitness for ministry issues, or to dismiss the student with no hope of readmission if it is concluded that candidacy for ministry or other helping professions is not viable at this time.
Spiritual Formation
As noted in the mission statement, AGTS is committed to a whole-life formation of its students. An essential part of this formative process is embedding spiritual formation into the extracurricular activities of our shared community.
In Person Worship Experiences. These events provide an opportunity for our residential students, faculty, administrators, and staff to come together for corporate worship. The AGTS Seymour Chapel provides a wonderful space for this shared worship time. Additionally, these worship experiences may be held in a small group setting in the home of a student leader, faculty member, or administrator. The AGTS Student Life Director and the Student Leadership Council (SLC) coordinate these events and schedule at least two of these events per semester.
Online Devotionals. Once a month, the Student Life Director will invite a student, faculty member, administrator, or staff member to provide a brief video recorded devotional that will be available on the AGTS Student Life Facebook page. Given the large number of fully online students in our masters level programs, this devotional helps connect our entire community to AGTS.
Prayer Groups. Student and faculty prayer groups meet at various time during the semester—often before classes, during the noon hour, and some evenings. Some pray for the work of God in various locations of the world, others pray for revival and salvation for the lost, and others pray for our Seminary community or specific areas of interest.
Chapel Lectures/Seminars. AGTS sponsors special guest lecturers in the Seymour Chapel in the Fall and/or Spring semesters for the entire AGTS community (live streamed) and our local alumni and stakeholders. Additionally, uniquely qualified special guests lecture in AGTS’s Summer Institutes Seminars on topics related to Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism studies. This provides our students with opportunities for enlarging their global awareness. These Institute events are available in person for anyone and require a small seminar fee for participation.
Student Organizations and Communications
Student Leadership Council. The Seminary has an active Student Leadership Council (SLC) elected by the student body annually. The council coordinates projects and activities that enhance student life, oversees a variety of student ministries groups, and serves as a liaison between the student body and faculty and administration.
Facebook. Please like our Facebook page so that you can stay updated on upcoming events and announcements as well as important info that we would like to share. You can access that page at https://www.facebook.com/AGTSstudentlife
For more information about student organizations and leadership, click here.
Services, Recommendations and Resources
Health Insurance. Students are strongly encouraged to provide health insurance coverage for themselves and their families. Policy requires international students to carry health insurance while enrolled at the Seminary. Contact the AGTS Office of Admissions for more information.
Student Handbook. The student handbook is accessible on the university website. The handbook provides detailed policies, privileges, and procedures for academic and student life. Updates and revisions to the handbook are made on a regular basis.
Placement Assistance. Faculty and administration frequently work directly with church leaders and graduates in securing professional appointments.