Requirements

The mission of Erskine Seminary is Erskine Theological Seminaryto prepare men and women to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through theological higher education that is ecclesial, missional, and confessional. To that end, the Admissions Office of Erskine Seminary seeks to recruit qualified students called by God and their church to serve effectively in a variety of church ministries and services locally and globally.

Applying to Erskine

Undergraduates who anticipate enrolling in the Seminary are encouraged to pursue a well-rounded course of study with a broad foundation in the liberal arts, including English, history, philosophy, Bible and religion, and the social sciences. Graduates with degrees in other fields, however, may still pursue a theological education.

In order to be admitted to Erskine Seminary, students must normally possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; students applying to the ThM or DMin programs must also possess an appropriate graduate degree. Students must also demonstrate the academic ability needed to succeed in graduate education as well as the personal and spiritual qualities appropriate to their desired program of study. Students whose degrees are from unaccredited institutions, or whose previous academic work does not meet Erskine’s standards, may be admitted on probation.

So that the Seminary will have sufficient time to evaluate application materials, students are encouraged to apply by August 1 for enrollment in the fall semester, December 1 for the January term, January 1 for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer term.

Master’s Programs

Students applying to the Seminary’s master’s degree programs (MDiv, MAPM, MATS) must submit the following:

1. A completed application form emailed to etsadmissions@erskine.edu
2. A $35 nonrefundable application fee
3. Official transcripts from all schools which have awarded them a degree. These must show a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 grade point average. (Students with a lower GPA may be considered for admission on probation.)
4. Christian Testimony – In a separate document, briefly describe your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and your current spiritual life. (Please limit your response to no more than 500 words.)
5. Personal Essay – 
   • For MDiv, MAPM, and MATS applicants, write a brief essay stating why you would like to pursue seminary education. (No more than 500 words.)
   • For ThM and DMin applicants, write a brief essay explaining how the program will contribute to your competence in academic work, ministry, or service to the Church. (No more than 600 words.)
6. Letters of Recommendation – List two people who know you well and can address your Christian character, commitment, potential for effective ministry (such as a pastor, mentor, or colleague in ministry), and aptitude for graduate/postgraduate level work (such as a former professor). (Please contact your references and request your recommendations to be emailed directly to the Seminary’s admissions office.)

Advanced Programs

1. A completed application form emailed to etsadmissions@erskine.edu
2. A $35 nonrefundable application fee
3. Official transcripts from all schools which have awarded them a degree. These must show appropriate graduate degrees from accredited institutions with a 3.0 graduate grade point average. ThM applicants must possess an MDiv, MATS, MAR, or equivalent; DMin students must have an MDiv or equivalent. DMin applicants with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may be considered for admission on probation; those with a GPA below 2.75 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
4. Two letters of recommendation from persons who know them well and can address their Christian character, commitment, and potential for effective ministry (such as a pastor, mentor, or colleague in ministry) and their aptitude for advanced academic work (such as a former teacher). (The Seminary reserves the right to request additional recommendations in special circumstances.)
5. A 600-word statement explaining how the program will contribute to their competence in academic work, ministry, or service to the church.
6. (ThM applicants only) Submission of a master’s level academic paper (at least 10 pages, double spaced, with note and bibliography formatted properly).
7. (DMin applicants only) A brief resume of their experience in ministry. Applicants must ordinarily have at least three years of full-time ministry experience following completion of their MDiv. Students with less than three years of post-MDiv experience must provide additional information about ministry experience and qualifications for advanced ministerial studies.
8. An interview may be deemed necessary to establish the student’s level of interest, aptitude, and personal qualities necessary to engage in advanced study.

Diplomas

Students who lack an undergraduate degree may apply for admission into one of the diploma programs that parallel Erskine’s degree programs: Diploma in Divinity (MDiv), Diploma in Practical Ministry (MAPM), and Diploma in Theological Studies (MATS). Applicants must complete the admission requirements as outlined above for master’s degree programs.