How to Apply​

Are you ready to apply to Ashland Theological Seminary? Select an option below for application instructions tailored to your program.

We require an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher for standard admission. If your GPA is lower than 2.75 you may be admitted on academic probation at the discretion of the review committee. We require a GPA of 3.0 or higher for our doctoral program.

Submission of the following constitutes a completed Master’s application file:

  • A submitted online application, which includes:
  • A non-refundable application fee of $30.
  • Essay responses as identified in the online application.
  • Two letters of recommendation, one pastor / spiritual mentor and one professional.
  • Official electronic or paper transcripts for all degree issuing, post-secondary institutions attended. If admitted with an unofficial transcript, you may not register for a second term until the final, official transcript has been received.
  • Personal interview, if requested by the Office of Admissions.
  • Applicants to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will receive instructions for the completion of a personality inventory ($100 fee) and follow-up interview.
  • Review our student handbook and agree to abide by the policies therein before applying.
  • Be a minimum of 25 years old.
  • Submit a completed application (including required references, essays, application fee and official transcripts).
  • Submit a portfolio or resume giving evidence of work/ministry experience, involvement in the life of the church, relevant certifications and personal experiences.
  • Submit of one or more of the following:
    • An official transcript showing completion of at least 30 semester hours of undergraduate work from an accredited school with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
    • An official transcript showing the completion of the Diploma of Theology in Black Church Studies at the McCreary Center for African American Religious Studies.
    • An official transcript showing the completion of a diploma from a Bible College or a ministry certificate from an Ashland Theological Seminary approved program.
  • Submit, if applicable, a letter of recommendation from the program director of one of the above listed academic programs.
  • Submit an academic paper following the guidelines provided by the admissions office.
  • Articulation of vocational calling as required in the application materials.
  • Participate in an interview with a representative of the Admissions team or the Dean of Ashland Theological Seminary, if requested.
  • Review our student handbook and agree to abide by the policies therein before applying.

Submission of the following constitutes a completed Doctor of Ministry application file:

  • A submitted online application, which includes:
  • A non-refundable application fee of $30.
  • Personal sketch submission as identified in the online application.
  • Curriculum Vitae uploaded to the online application.
  • Three letters of recommendation, one academic and two professional ministry. Per the online application, request specific recommendation forms from the Office of Admissions.
  • Official electronic or paper transcripts for all degree issuing, master’s and doctoral institutions attended. If admitted with an unofficial transcript, you may not register for a second term until the final, official transcript has been received.
  • Personal interview, if requested by the Office of Admissions.
  • Review our student handbook and agree to abide by the policies therein before applying.
  • Ashland values the diversity of our campuses. We have a rich heritage of students coming from around the world, training and living with us, then being sent out to impact their home nations.
  • Several factors are used in determining which applicants join us. Please review these items to determine if applying to Ashland is still a good fit for you:
    • Are you currently involved in a church ministry in your home country?
    • Have you taken advantage of the theological education available in your home country?
    • Are you willing to commit to return to your home country after completing studies at Ashland?
    • Do you meet the English requirements for enrollment?
    • Do you possess adequate qualifications to pursue graduate level studies?
    • Do you possess adequate financial resources to live and study in the United States?
  • If you are confident that you can meet the above criteria, we welcome your application.
  • You must sign our International Student Statement of Agreement
  • Refer to our International Student Guide for more information
If you would like to take a class without enrolling in a degree program, you can do so as a guest student. Guest Students come to Ashland for many reasons:

  • You want to take a class for personal growth or interest
  • You need a class to transfer to another institution
  • You want to test the academic waters at Ashland

Guest Students are welcome to submit your guest student application and supporting documents today.

God’s timing is always perfect. If you’ve studied previously at the Seminary and would like to pick up your studies once again, you will need to reactivate your file before enrolling in classes.

In order to reactivate, you must complete the following requirements, depending on how long it has been since you were last active:

LESS THAN TWO YEARS


TWO TO FIVE YEARS

  • Application to Reactivate
  • Responses to 2-5 year reactivation essay
  • Pastor Reference


MORE THAN FIVE YEARS

  • If you have been inactive for more than 5 years, we will ask you to submit a completed online application and file to be considered for reactivation.
Survey Data

94% of students from our 2019-2020 graduating class were highly satisfied with the quality of teaching at Ashland Theological Seminary.

Admissions FAQs

We operate on a rolling admissions basis meaning there are no hard deadlines. However, we recommend you complete your application file one month prior to the first day of the semester you would like to begin classes.

To complete your application file, you must submit your online application at apply.ashland.edu/apply with essays, reference letters and transcripts as outlined in the application. Additional documentation may be required for Doctor of Ministry applicants, International student applicants and Bachelor Exempt applicants per the request of the admissions office.

Official Transcripts

Your institution must e-mail your official transcripts electronically via a digital credential company (e.g. Parchment, National Clearinghouse, Escripts) to ats-enrollment@ashland.edu or grad-admissions@ashland.edu . If your only option is to have your transcript mailed, please mail to 910 Center Street, Ashland, OH 44805.

 

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts and other supporting documents may be submitted through the upload options in your online application or by emailing ATS-Enrollment@ashland.edu.

Please email us ats-enrollment@ashland.edu for assistance with your application. If necessary, we can “unsubmit” your application so you can make updates.

You are welcome to ask a former pastor, assistant/associate pastor, small group leader, spiritual mentor, chaplain or CPE supervisor to complete your pastor’s letter of recommendation.

As a Doctor of Ministry applicant, if you are not able to obtain an academic reference from your master’s program, you can find someone who is familiar with your academic achievements to give you a reference. As a last resort, you may choose an additional professional reference.

No, we do not require the GRE for admission.

Our GPA requirement for admissions is 2.75 for master’s programs and 3.0 for Doctor of Ministry. However, we consider all aspects of your application file and someone with a lower GPA may be offered admission on academic probation.

You may complete any degree except the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Doctor of Ministry completely online or any combination of online and in person. Click here to learn more.

Please Note: For ordination, some denominations such as UMC require you to complete your degree fully in person at the Ashland campus. Please be sure to check your denomination’s requirements.

When you take six semester hours you are considered a full-time student for financial aid and scholarship purposes.

Depending on the degree and the number of classes you take each semester, you can complete your degree program in as little as two years. Your academic advisor will be able to help you create a plan for graduation that works best for you. The maximum number of years you may take to complete a master’s degree is 8 years. If you are a Doctor of Ministry student, you must complete your degree within 6 years.

Yes. We offer prescheduled tours on our Ashland, Ohio campus. Click here to register.

Click here to review our financial aid and scholarship information. You will receive additional information on financial aid upon acceptance.

If you have additional questions about enrollment, please e-mail us at ats-enrollment@ashland.edu.