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Admission Requirements

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Special Student Admission 
(MA, MDiv, and Certificate applicants without an accredited bachelor's or master's degree)  

MA and MDiv applicants whose gifts and calling have been verified by the church but who have not earned an accredited bachelor’s or master's degree may be considered for admission to a Fuller degree or certificate program as Special Students. Candidates for admission as Special Students are required to demonstrate a likelihood for success in a graduate course of studies at Fuller.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate at least 12 years of work experience subsequent to the completion of a high school diploma and at least 3 years of full-time vocational ministry or at least five years of significant part-time ministry. 

Special Students are initially admitted on probation, but may eventually be removed from probation and Special Student status if they are in good standing (Certificate applicants without an accredited bachelor's or master's degree are admitted on academic probation for the entirety of the certificate program). In addition, the following restrictions apply to those admitted as Special Students:  

  • Students are required to take ST511: Orientation to Theological Studies in their first quarter of studies (Certificate in Youth Ministry applicants may be exempt from this requirement) 
  • Students are restricted to a limited number of units in their first quarter at Fuller 
  • Students are not allowed to take Individualized Distance Learning classes until the probationary period has been completed. However, Online courses are permitted. 
  • Applicants can apply to the MDiv, MATM, MACL, MAICS, MAGL and most Certificate programs, but not the to the MA in Theology program.
Please review the following application requirements before continuing. 

All applicants 

  • Completed and signed Application for Admission, including:
    • Religious Autobiography, parts A and B 
    • Additional Application Questions 
    • A $100 nonrefundable application fee (if the application is submitted in paper form) or a $75 nonrefundable application fee (if the application is submitted online), or a $25 nonrefundable application fee if applying to a Certificate program 
     
  • If you have attended any post-secondary institutions, submit official transcripts of all undergraduate or graduate academic work 
  • Three references (forms provided):  
  1. One from a pastor to whom you are spiritually accountable. For pastors, this may include a denominational leader, area supervisor, bishop, etc. 
  2. One from a supervisor who can testify to your competence in ministry. For pastors, this may include the chair of their elders or deacons organization. 
  3. A professional reference 
 
  • At least one of the following:  
  1. An official score from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). You must earn a score of at least 153 on the Verbal Section and 4 on the Analytical Writing Section. You do not need to submit scores from the Quantitative section. If you are applying to the Centro Latino program in the School of Theology, you may submit an official score from the Examen de Admisión a Estudios de Posgrado (EXADEP). 
  2. An official score from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum Scaled Score of 408 
  3. Transcript evidence demonstrating successful completion (3.0 GPA or better) of at least 30 semester or 45 quarter units from accredited institution(s) or those recognized by Fuller Theological Seminary for the purpose of admission as a Special Student 
  4. Transcript evidence demonstrating successful completion of a Bible Institute degree program 
 
  • If English is not your native language or your medium of instruction for any post-secondary education is not English, please see the English Language Requirements page. 

Spanish-language program applicants are not required to submit a TOEFL score for admission to Fuller. However, if you are interested in taking any classes in English and your native language is not English or the medium of instruction for any post-secondary education is not English, your must submit either a test score of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) taken within the past two years or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Format, taken within the past two years. 

Centro Latino applicants 

  • You will be required to have an interview with the Centro Latino program director. Please contact the Centro Latino office at (626) 584-5586 or hisp-ministries@fuller.edu to schedule an interview. 

African American Church Studies applicants 

  • You will be required to have an interview with the African American Church Studies program director. Please contact the African American Church Studies office at (626) 584-5591 or afam-studies@fuller.edu to schedule an interview. 

International applicants 

  • If you are a Permanent Resident of the United States, you must submit a copy of your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) to the Office of Admissions. No Declaration of Financial Support is required. 
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, you must apply 3-6 months prior to beginning on-campus coursework (this will give you sufficient time to complete the admissions process and immigration requirements). You must verify your immigration status with the International Services Office. Those seeking a F-1 or J-1 visa from Fuller must submit a satisfactory Declaration of Financial Support prior to beginning residential coursework. Please click here for additional information. 

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