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The following will assist you with information to become a student at CTS. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

In requiring a bachelor's degree or its equivalent for admission, Chafer Seminary recognizes the importance of an educational foundation for the specialized study offered in seminary courses. A bachelor's program that includes work in the major fields of humanities and sciences gives students the skills and discipline indispensable to theological study and work of the ministry.
In the undergraduate study, adequate attention should be devoted to English grammar and composition, literature, speech, logic, philosophy, and history. It is also helpful for each student to master basic computer skills (e.g., word processing and spreadsheets). Those accepted as students are encouraged to enroll in a speed-reading course before attending CTS.
 
 

Students who have had no prior training in Greek or Hebrew are not advised to start two languages simultaneously. During their first year, they are recommended to take Beginning Greek. In the second year, they may start Hebrew. We encourage incoming students to take a minimum of one year of Greek before enrolling at CTS. If the university or college a student attends does not offer Greek, we recommend taking the on-line Greek course from Free Grace Seminary. They can be reached for inquiries at info@freegraceseminary.com. Please set the goal for completing this course no later than one month before you enroll at CTS.

Course credits with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) earned at other accredited seminaries and graduate theological school are accepted at full value to the extent that the courses are comparable to Chafer Theological Seminary's stated course requirements. An interview with a faculty member and/or assessment by testing is required. A maximum of 30 semester hours may be transferred toward the M.B.S. degree. Thus, a student must complete at least two semesters (30 semester hours) of academic work on campus. An official transcript from the institution previously attended is required. CTS distance learning courses count as on-campus courses. The president, on the basis of the testing professor's recommendation, makes the final decision.
 

Course credits with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) earned at other accredited seminaries and graduate theological school are accepted at full value to the extent that the courses are comparable tot he Chafer Theological Seminary's stated course requirements. An interview with a faculty member and/or assessment by testing is required. A maximum of 60 semester hours may be transferred toward the Th.M. degree. Thus, a student must complete at least two semesters (60 semester hours) of academic work on campus. An official transcript from the institution previously attended is required. CTS distance learning courses count as on-campus courses. The president, on the basis of the testing professor's recommendation, makes the final decision.

 

Students entering Chafer Theological Seminary with a strong background in Bible or theology may validate some basic courses toward the Th.M. or M.B.S. degree.

Students are required to take a proficiency exam to determine if they are eligible to take more advanced classes in the same department. The validation fee is $25 per exam. Questions regarding advanced standing should be directed to the appropriate department head.

All students entering CTS begin in the M.B.S. program. If a student questions a particular doctrinal position in the CTS Doctrinal Statement yet is open to CTS's understanding of the doctrinal position in question, CTS will follow this procedure:

• The student may take all classes in the M.B.S. program.

• The student may not proselytize other students, though he may discuss with others the issues involved.

• At the beginning of his second year of studies, the student will present a paper (25 pages maximum) defending his position to an assigned professor.

If by the conclusion of the second year of study the student continues to hold his contrary position, yet he has successfully completed the required course work, CTS will award him an M.B.S. degree.


• Each student who advances to the Th.M. program must sign the CTS doctrinal statement. If the student signs with reservations, he must explain those reservations in writing, and the faculty must approve them before he is accepted into the Th.M. program.
 

Degree Admission
Applicants for admission must make formal application through the Admissions Office. All entering students (with the exception of some transfer students) will be automatically enrolled in the M.B.S. program. Transfer students should consult with the Registrar regarding entrance into the Th.M. program. Applications may be obtained from the Admissions Office or downloaded here. A nonrefundable fee of $20 must accompany the application. (If the application is late, it must be accompanied by a nonrefundable late fee of $50.)

Nonbaccalaureate Admission
Nonbaccalaureate applicants must follow the same admission procedures as degree applicants. Applicants who lack the prerequisite college degree may apply for admission to the M.B.S. and Th.M. degree programs; however, a certificate will be issued in lieu of a degree until a bachelor's degree is completed, at which time a degree will be awarded. Admission of students without bachelor's degrees is highly selective. Qualifications that will be considered include maturity, educational background, ministry experience, and vocational goals.

Audit Admission
Some students may take courses for self-enrichment only. A shorter application form must be completed before enrollment in classes. The audit application fee is $20.

Admission Deadlines, Acceptance, and Matriculation
To facilitate enrollment, please submit the requested documents no later than June 15th for the Late Summer Module and Fall Semester; November 15th for the Winter Module, Spring Semester, and Early Summer Module. Applications submitted after the above deadlines must be accompanied by a late application fee of $50 and will be considered and processed only as time allows. The late application fee does not apply to audit students.
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their character, academic records, the extent and quality of involvement in Christian service, their apparent gifts, and potential for Christian ministry. A letter of acceptance will be sent after the application is approved. Applicants who have been accepted into the CTS programs must matriculate within one year of the academic semester for which they were accepted. The applicant who wishes to enroll after one year must restart the application process.

 

Application Process

Chafer Seminary enrolls as students men and women who are of proven Christian character, possess appropriate spiritual gifts, and adhere to the CTS Statement of Faith. All degree programs are coeducational. However, the seminary holds that Scripture limits to men the roles which require teaching men or exercising authority over men.
The curriculum is designed to build on the baccalaureate degree or its equivalent conferred by an accredited college or university. Exceptions to this minimal scholastic requirement for entrance are necessarily limited. Graduates of unaccredited institutions, when accepted are placed on academic probation for their first year of study at Chafer Seminary. This probation is removed after one year of satisfactory progress toward a degree (2.0 or above GPA).

This application must be completed by those who plan to enroll in a degree program or a certificate program or take distance learning courses.

This application must be completed by those who plan to take courses for self-enrichment only.
 

Audit Application Instructions (PDF)
Audit Application Form (PDF)

 

 

Click above link for cost of admission to CTS.
 

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