Application Information

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 will be asked to sign an “International Student Statement of Agreement” before you begin your studies at Ashland. We take this agreement to be signed on your personal and Christian integrity. Failure to fulfill the commitments of this agreement could result in dismissal from the academic program and repayment of any scholarship dollars awarded. Please read the agreement.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. A completed online application;
2. A non-refundable application fee of fifty dollars ($50.00 USD) supplied either via the online application or by mailing a check to Office of Admissions, 910 Center Street, Ashland, OH 44805;
3. Required references and essays dependent on academic program, supplied via the online application.
4. Educational Credentials: Submit your foreign transcript to a professional foreign transcript evaluation service in the United States (NACES member), such as www.wes.org, to verify your educational credentials
5. Copy of passport (also include this for any dependent that will be accompanying you).
6. Proof of financial support. In order to be issued an I-20, you must provide a financial guarantee for the first year of study as well as documentation of how your educational expenses will be supported in all succeeding years at Ashland Theological Seminary. Please complete the Financial Documentation/Affidavit of Support document (provide web address?)
7. TOEFL, IELTS or PTEA scores (requirements listed below), unless seeking admission through the ACCESS program. This requirement may be waived by the Office of Admissions if you are from an English-speaking country or attended an English-speaking bachelor’s/master’s institution, or if you are a permanent resident. Please note: Test results must not be more than two years old.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
  • Paper-Based Test (PBT): minimum score of 550 overall and 50 for subset scores
  • Internet-Based Test (IBT): minimum score of 79 overall and 19 for subset scores
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System:
  • Minimum score of 6.5 for overall
  • Minimum of 6.0 for subset scores
  • Minimum of 7.0 Writing Band
• PTE (Pearson Language Tests) Academic: Minimum score of 55 overall 

Students eligible for admission but who have not attained the minimum scores will first need to be admitted to The Ashland University Center for English Studies (ACCESS). ACCESS provides an intensive English program for international students and prepares them for admission to academic studies. Upon successful completion of the ACCESS program, students will be evaluated for readiness for full-time graduate program coursework. The web address for ACCESS is: https://www.ashland.edu/administration/student-accounts/tuition-fees/international-students

COUNSELING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Admission to the Seminary
• Undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Be available for a personal interview with the director of the counseling track desired
• Complete psychological testing required of the individual counseling track