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ADMISSION
Prospective Students Admission counselors are available to assist prospective students with information regarding admission, degree programs, and other questions. Fuller Seminary welcomes and encourages visits from prospective students and has several prospective student events scheduled each year. Information regarding these events may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. Those wishing to visit the campus at other times should schedule a visit in advance with the Office of Admissions. Prospective Student Events include Weekend Visits and Evening Visits. For the latest scheduled dates and for further information, go to www.fuller.edu/admiss/visit.asp. Fuller also offers occasional scheduled opportunities to chat online with admissions counselors and a financial aid representative. This program is called Fuller Live. For further information and the next available date, go to www.fuller.edu/admiss/visit/chat.asp.
Standards for Admission In general, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution that is accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation body before they can be admitted to master’s degree programs at Fuller Theological Seminary. Requirements for admission are described under each degree program in the various sections of this catalog. Admission is granted to a specific program and not to Fuller Seminary or to one of its schools at large. Applicants who are not citizens of the United States or whose native language is not English must also meet admissions criteria as described below in sections regarding International Students and English Language Requirements. It should be understood that admission to Fuller depends on factors beyond the applicant’s academic record. These factors include theological development, Christian experience, spiritual growth, call to service and gifts for ministry. Men and women of God are qualified for Christian ministry by faith, moral character, experience and academic achievement. Such people are characterized by compassion for individual persons, by sensitivity to the needs of the total community, by a burden that the whole of God’s will be obeyed on earth, by a readiness to accept correction, by a desire for moral growth, by personal integrity, and above all, by a mature trust in Jesus Christ as the foundation of life and ministry. Fuller Seminary reserves the right to draw conclusions regarding the evangelical, Christian profession of faith of all applicants. This determination will be made on the basis of the statements of Christian faith given in the application. Such statements are a significant factor in the admission decision. The seminary also reserves the right to admit or deny admission to any non-Christian or non-evangelical individual or any individual from an organization having a theological stance which is not in accord with the seminary’s Statement of Faith. While desiring to maintain flexibility in admission to its programs, the institution will not compromise the integrity of its purpose and Statement of Faith by admitting students whose orientation may be disruptive or may confound the academic freedom of fellow students or faculty. Fuller Theological Seminary admits students of any race, gender, color, nationality or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the seminary. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, nationality or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, loan programs, and other seminary-administered programs.
Admission on Academic Probation Students who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, but whose cumulative grade point average is less than 2.7, may be admitted to a degree program on probation at the discretion of the admissions committee. Academic probation may be removed after the successful completion of 48 units.
Nondegree Categories of Admission In addition to admission to regular degree or certificate programs, a limited number of students may also be admitted under one of the following classifications: Limited Enrollment Student: one who is qualified for regular admission but wants to take no more than six master’s-level courses (24 units); Unclassified Student: one who is academically qualified for admission, wants to take an unlimited number of master’s-level courses, but does not want to pursue a degree program; Special Student: one who has not earned an accredited bachelor’s degree, but who demonstrates an ability to do graduate-level academic work and a likelihood for success in a graduate course of studies at Fuller (see details below); Visiting Student: one who is currently enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at another graduate institution, but wants to have transcript evidence of course work done at Fuller for transfer to the school of primary enrollment.
Application for Admission Applications may be completed online at www.fuller.edu/admiss, or obtained by writing or phoning the Admissions Office at 800-AFULLER or 626-584-5400, or by visiting the Admissions website. Different programs of the seminary have distinct application forms; it is important to complete or request the application for a specific program and to make sure it is the correct application before submitting it. Admission is granted to a specific program and not to the seminary or to a school at large. All applications should be completed and returned to the Admissions Office as soon as possible, and no later than the application deadline for the quarter for which admission is sought (see below). The nonrefundable application fee is $100.00 ($75.00 if completed online) for degree programs as well as special and unclassified admission, and $25.00 for all other classifications. Complete application instructions are available online and included with the application packet. The School of Psychology and the programs of the Center for Advanced Theological Studies require scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE information is available from most colleges or by writing GRE, Educational Testing Services, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, by phone at 609-683-2002, or at www.gre.org. GRE scores over five years old are not acceptable. The Marriage and Family Department of the School of Psychology will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in lieu of the GRE. Information may be obtained from most colleges or by writing MAT, The Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, TX 78204-3959, by phone at 800-622-3231, or at www.btc.com.
Application Deadlines and Notification of Acceptance Most programs in the Schools of Theology and Intercultural Studies have quarterly application deadlines approximately 30 days before the beginning of the quarter for regular and special admission. For 2006-2007, they are as follows:
Students who miss the application deadline for a particular quarter may still seek late admission. Admission requirements are the same as those for regular acceptance, and late admission is not available to those applying for admission as special students. Late admission is valid for one quarter only. Decisions of the Admissions Committee will normally be announced within four weeks of the completion of an application file. Some programs require that a matriculation fee be paid within 30 days of notification of acceptance. The matriculation fee is nonrefundable, but will be applied toward the first quarter’s tuition. Failure to pay this fee within the stated time may result in a cancellation of the student’s acceptance in order to offer the position to another student. Competitive programs generally admit students only for the Fall Quarter of each year. The application deadlines for these programs are as follows: School of Theology PhD and ThM:
School of Psychology PhD in Clinical Psychology and PsyD:
MS in Marital and Family Therapy:
School of Intercultural Studies MA in Global Leadership:
Doctor of Missiology:
PhD in Intercultural Studies:
Special Students Students whose gifts and calling have been verified by the church but who have not earned an accredited bachelor’s degree may be considered for admission to the School of Theology or School of Intercultural Studies as Special Students. Candidates for admission as Special Students are required to demonstrate an ability to do graduate-level work and the likelihood for success in a graduate course of studies at Fuller. Applicants will be considered on the basis of a portfolio that must include the following:
Full details of the portfolio required for application may be obtained from the admissions office. Special Students are admitted on probation for the first 48 units, but may then be removed from probation and admitted to a degree program if they are in good standing.
International Students The term "international students" is used at Fuller to denote both internationals who come on visas to study at Fuller as well as those who are legal permanent residents of the United States. Fuller Seminary is authorized by SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)to issue visa documents for the F-1 (I-20) Student visa and the J-1 (DS-2019) Exchange Visitor student visa. International students who require either an I-20 or a DS-2019 form to apply for a student visa must be accepted for admission to Fuller and must meet the requirements of a financial guarantee for themselves and all dependents who will accompany them to the United States. The financial guarantee must be from the source(s) that will actually provide the funds for study and living expenses. This can be done by (a) showing that they are sponsored by a responsible Christian organization which will commit itself to guarantee the necessary support and round-trip transportation for the student and his or her dependents (if they are to accompany the student to the seminary), or (b) demonstrating by a letter from a bank or savings institution that the student has on deposit sufficient funds to cover tuition, other school fees, living expenses for the student and family, and round-trip airfare, or (c) providing the same proof from other individuals or organizations who wish to contribute to the student’s support that there are sufficient funds available to cover their financial commitment. If the dependents are remaining in their home country, the seminary strongly recommends that appropriate financial arrangements be made to care for them during the entire time the student is away, in addition to the student’s expenses in the United States. International applicants should submit their applications at least six months prior to the quarter in which they intend to enroll. The application file should be completed (including transcripts, financial guarantees, etc.) at least 90 days before the planned date of arrival in order to allow time for the student to receive the visa application papers. International applicants are required to submit official documentation of all postsecondary (college level) education. Appropriate visa application forms (I-20 or DS-2019) will be sent to the student upon admission to the Seminary and receipt of an acceptable financial guarantee. The student may be required to deposit in advance a portion of the financial guarantee with the seminary to ensure that sufficient funds are available for initial housing and registration expenses upon the student’s arrival in the United States. Questions regarding visas should be addressed to the International Student Services Office, by phone at 626-584-5396, by fax at 626-796-4185, or by mail. International students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to maintain valid immigration status (including, but not limited to, full-time enrollment) throughout their stay at Fuller in order to remain in good standing with the seminary. These visas are only available for study at the seminary’s Pasadena campus.
English Language Requirements In addition to the specified admission requirements for each degree program, each applicant who does not speak English as their first language is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Format to determine English language proficiency. Most applicants can obtain the TOEFL Bulletin by writing to TOEFL, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, USA, by phone at 609-771-7100, or at www.toefl.org. Students in Europe, Hong Kong, India, the Middle East (except Israel), North Africa, Republic of China and Taiwan must obtain a TOEFL Information Bulletin locally. The TOEFL is currently administered in three formats: computer-based (CBT), Internet based (iBT), or on paper. Since paper tests are given on a limited basis each year, and preregistration is required, the student should allow sufficient time for the results to be included in the admission process. IELTS is offered in over 100 countries. Information about the IELTS can be obtained by going to the IELTS website (www.ielts.org). All TOEFL and IELTS exam scores must be less than five years old. Master’s-level Test Score Requirements. Applicants to master’s-level programs in all three schools (with the exception of the MA in Global Leadership) must have one of the following scores:
Applicants with a TOEFL score from 533 (200 CBT, 72 iBT) through 583 (237 CBT, 93 iBT) or an IELTS score of 5.5, may be admitted, but must begin as ESL (English as a Second Language) students. Normally, this will mean that a student will take one to three quarters of full-time ESL coursework (see below for more information). Some students may require additional claswork, depending on language learning aptitude. Before entering regular Seminary classes taught in English, students must pass either the ESL coursework and exit exam, or pass the TOEFL with a score of at least 587. Upon successful completion of the ESL program, students will begin taking classes in the program to which they were admitted. Details about testing and fees may be obtained from the Admissions office. If an applicant recently earned a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution where English was the language of instruction, he or she may submit a written request to the Admissions Committee explaining why he or she should be excused from taking the TOEFL or IELTS tests. The Admissions Committee will make the final decision on whether or not the applicant is excused from taking a language exam. Language Requirements for Advanced Degrees. Admission to the MA in Global Leadership and to English language ThM and doctoral programs in all three schools requires the following scores:
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies and Doctor of Missiology programs in the School of Intercultural Studies may fill out and submit a TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Addendum if English is not their native language and they have completed an English-based master’s program. Applicants who have not completed an English-based master’s program will be required to submit an official score from either the TOEFL with minimum scores of 600 (paper), 250 (computer), or 100 (internet) or the IELTS Academic Format with a minimum score of 7.0. School of Theology applicants to the Th.M. or Ph.D. programs who fall below the minimum acceptable scores in the verbal or analytical writing sections of the GRE test may elect to submit a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper), 250 (computer), or 100 (internet) or an IELTS Academic Format score of at least 7.0 in addition to the GRE.
Difficulties with English after Admission Regardless of a student’s TOEFL score, the faculty may determine at any time that a student is experiencing academic difficulty due to a lack of graduate-level proficiency in English. The faculty reserves the right to require the student to undergo language assessment testing; the standard test processing fee is applied. The test results may lead to enrollment in one or more courses in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program (see below).This may require the student to suspend enrollment in regular classes until he or she demonstrates graduate level proficiency with the English language.
English as a Second Language Program The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Fuller Seminary is designed to help students facilitate their transition to Fuller’s graduate-level studies in English. It is intended for applicants with a TOEFL score from 533 (200 CBT, 72 iBT) through 583 (237 CBT, 93 iBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be qualified to admission to a particular degree or nondegree program in every other way. The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Fuller Theological Seminary prepares students to transition effectively into Fuller’s graduate-level studies in English. Unlike traditional ESL classes, this language training practices the language used in seminary coursework. Those who complete this program acquire academic English skills for greater fulfillment in classroom learning and higher academic performance for theological and missiological studies in English. All students in the seminary’s ESL program first take the ESL Placement Exam so they can be guided to the ESL classes that will best strengthen their confidence and their language skills. A nonrefundable test processing fee is charged. Details of testing dates may be obtained from the ESL office or the admissions office. Students receive practical, personalized instruction four hours each day, Monday through Thursday, during the ten-week quarter. Small classes focus on students’ needs and participation. Professional faculty with significant training and crosscultural experience teach the ESL classes and counsel students individually. The ESL curriculum uses language development resources and theological content to sharpen English language skills. For students admitted to Fuller with the provision that they complete the ESL program, enrollment in a full ESL program of courses is considered full time enrollment, even if credit is not being earned, and meets the requirement for full time enrollment for students on visas. ESL classes cost the same as a master’s-level class, and are eligible for financial aid. Students are accepted to begin coursework through the ESL program only in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. They complete ESL training in one to four quarters, depending on the level of proficiency with which they begin the program and their aptitude for English language learning. Students admitted through the program must successfully complete the program and pass the ESL exit examination before they can enroll in master’s-level classes in English. Because intensive ESL training occurs before enrollment in regular coursework for students accepted through the ESL program, students are encouraged to plan their time and finances accordingly. ESL students who refrain from outside commitments such as ministry or employment concentrate more effectively on their language development. For more information about Fuller’s ESL program, go to www.fuller.edu/esl, or contact the department directly by email at esl-aa@dept.fuller.edu, or by phone at (626) 584-5630 or 1-800-235-2222, extension 5630 (in the USA).
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