All applicants to American Theological
Seminary must:
1. File a formal application to the Seminary. Application materials
are available from the Admission Office. Completed forms should
be returned to the attention of the Director of Admissions.
2. Submit a non-refundable application fee of $100.00
3. A full academic transcript of college work, with proof of
having received the Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. If more
than one college was attended,
there should be a transcript from each.
4. Completed character reference form, from the pastor of the
applicant’s church (or a church official).
5. Submit a two-page personal statement that introduces the applicant
to the Seminary. The personal statement should broadly address
reasons for attending American Theological Seminary, including
past experiences and life goals.
6. A recent photo should accompany the application. |
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NON-DISCRIMINATORY
POLICY
American Theological Seminary does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, sex, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in its
administration of admission policies, educational programs, scholarships
and other programs administered by the Seminary. |
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ADMISSION STANDARDS
 American
Theological Seminary’s academic program is committed to producing
outstanding academic and religious scholars. The rigors of the Master’s
and Doctorate programs demand that all applicants have a Bachelor
of Arts degree or its equivalent from an institution recognized
by American Theological Seminary. Exceptions are made only in extraordinary
circumstances. Furthermore, applicants must fulfill all pre-requisites
of the individual graduate programs to which they apply. The pre-requisites
for each program are detailed in the program descriptions in this
catalog. |
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INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
Students from other countries who hold Bachelors degree or its academic
equivalent from an approved college or university may study at American
as nonimmigrant F-1 students. In addition to the requirements for
admission
outlined above, the following additional requirements apply.
- Students whose native language is other than English Must
take the Test of English as a Foreign
- Language (TOEFL) as administered by the Educational Testing
Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.
- Results are to be sent to the Admissions office.
- An affidavit of support is required from a resident of the
U.S.A. affirming the support of the applicant while in America.
- A detailed account of how the applicant intends to meet his
seminary and living expenses during his studies.
- The Form I-20 for obtaining a nonimmigrant student visa will
be issued only after final acceptance for admission is granted.
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FOREIGN STUDIES
IN MISSIONS
The Seminary offers “a Tour Through Time” in conjunction with the
Shepherds Theological Seminary in North Carolina to visit Reformation
Sites in England and
Scotland. Sightseeing features the famous landmarks of English reformers
as well as the haunts and homes of eminent nonconformists. Students
will ride through the beautiful countryside stopping at cities
and villages, all meaningful places where the gospel was preached.
They will visit the places where history was made by servant leaders,
and feel the influence that continues to impact our generation. |
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SPECIAL STUDENTS
A student desiring to take selected courses, but not intending to
complete a degree program, may register as a special student. An
application should be filed in the regular manner and acceptance
must be received. Generally the same prerequisites for courses is
maintained as designated under the course listing. Tuition charges
likewise are the same. |
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AUDITORS
Auditing is not encouraged and rarely permitted. Busy pastors, missionaries
on furlough, or other Christian workers may occasionally be admitted
as auditors to selected courses after making proper application
to the Dean of Admissions
Office. Though no credit or grade points are involved, auditors
are required to pay regular tuition charges and other appropriate
fees. Those who do not do so will receive the grade “W” whether
or not they have officially withdrawn. |
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TRANSFER STUDENTS
M. Div. transfer students from another graduate level institutions
of recognized standing are normally required to be in residence
at American Theological Seminary for at least two semesters regardless
of the amount of transfer credit that may be presented upon admission
to the Seminary.
Students interested in transferring to American Theological Seminary
are encouraged to secure a transcript evaluation by contacting
the Office of Registrar. Transfer credit is not allowed for any
grade below a “C”.
Undergraduate level courses are not transferable, nor are credits
that have already been used for a degree at another school. Bachelor
of Theology program from other seminaries with recognized theological
and academic standards will ordinarily be given full credit for
coursework satisfactorily
completed (C or above) up to a maximum of 34 semester hours of
applicable credits. The last 34 hours must be completed at the
American Theological Seminary. Official transcripts must be sent
directly from the institutions involved.
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GREEK PREREQUISITE
Though not required, it is expected that applicants will have completed
a program of beginning Greek at the undergraduate level. All who
have done so must take a Greek proficiency examination as a part
of the orientation
procedures for the first semester of enrollment. Those who pass
the examination should enroll in Greek Exegesis I and II for the
first full year of their seminary program. Those who do not pass
the exam are required to take Beginning Greek again. |
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ATTENDANCE
Having registered for a course at the American Theological Seminary,
students assume the responsibility for completion of all course
requirements. Students are also expected to attend all class sessions
for which they are registered. Absence for the equivalent of one
week of the class time for any class is allowed without penalty
in a given course to provide for absences due to emergencies and
personal reasons. Common courtesy suggests that students
confer with the instructor if absence from class becomes necessary.
In no case may the number of absences for any course exceed the
equivalent of our weeks of class time.
When absences exceed this limit a grade of WP, WF, or F is required
as appropriate. All missed exams, papers, etc. should be made
up as soon as possible after the absence. Professors are under
no obligation to review or repeat lectures or assignments to students
who do not attend class. Furthermore, faculty
members have the freedom to impose stricter attendance policies
and penalties than those of the Seminary at their discretion,
subject to review by the Seminary. |
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ADDING OR
DROPPING COURSES
No course may be added or dropped without written consent of the
professor involved and the Registrar. No new course may be entered
after 10 class days. Any course dropped within the first 5 weeks
of the semester will not be shown on the transcript.
Any course dropped during the sixth through tenth weeks of the
semester will be shown on the transcript as withdrawn (passing)
“WP” or withdrawn (failing) “WF.”
Any course dropped after the first 10 weeks of the semester will
be recorded and averaged as a failure. |
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GRADING
Upon the completion of a class, students will receive one of several
grades: |
| A
and A- |
Exceptional
achievements; |
| B+, B, and B- |
Above average achievement; |
| C+,
C, and C- |
Fair or average
achievement; |
| D+, D, and D- |
Below average or minimally acceptable
achievement; |
| F |
Unacceptable
achievement, failure; |
| I |
Incomplete work; |
| WP |
Withdrawal while
passing during the seventh through the twelfth weeks; |
| WF |
Withdrawal while failing during
the seventh through the twelfth week, or any withdrawal after
the twelfth week. |
|
| For purposes of averaging, grade point
equivalents are: |
| A |
|
=4.0 |
| A- |
|
=3.7 |
| B+ |
|
=3.3 |
| B |
|
=3.0 |
| A- |
|
=2.7 |
| C+ |
|
=2.3 |
| C |
|
=2.0 |
| B- |
|
=1.7 |
| D+ |
|
=1.3 |
| D |
|
=1.0 |
| C- |
|
=0.7 |
| F |
|
=0.0 |
|
| A plus (+) adds .3 grade points
per credit hour to the letter value; a minus (-) deducts .3 grade
points per credit hour from the letter value. A grade of F is
a failure.
Occasionally a course may be offered on a Pass/Fail basis. In
such a case, the earned hours are included in the total but are
not calculated into the grade point average. The grades would
be designated P or F. |
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FINAL EXAMINATIONS,
TERM PAPERS, AND COMPLETION OF WORK
All major examinations are to be taken on the date specified. A
$10 fee will be charged for each exam taken at a time other than
that scheduled.
All term papers are to be completed by the date specified. Late
penalties may be assessed for papers not completed by the date specified.
All course work is to be completed by 1 p,m, on the final day
of the examination period. Work not completed by such time will
be graded in its incomplete form.
A student may receive an incomplete (I), for a class under special
circumstances. An Incomplete represents that a student had not
completed some required part of the course for an excusable reason.
Any student requesting an Incomplete must file a written request
for an incomplete and
receive written permission from the professor and the Dean of
Students. The student has 90 days from the end of the semester
to complete the required work. Upon completion of the required
work, the Incomplete will be replaced by a grade and the student
will receive credit for the class. If the student has not completed
the class within 90 days of the end of the semester, the student
will receive a failing grade, (F) and will not receive credit
for the class. |
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REPEATING COURSES
Any student who gets a grade below “C-“ in a course may retake that
course in an effort to gain a better understanding of the material
presented. Both grades will remain on the transcript, but only the
higher of the two will be calculated into the GPA. |
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INDEPENDENT
STUDY
Independent study courses are ordinarily limited to M. Div. students
in their final year of study, and to M.A. students. Application
forms for both M. Div. and M.A. students may be obtained from
the Office of the Registrar. Resident M. Div. students may register
for only one independent study course in a given semester, and
must be registered for at least twelve hours of work including
the independent study.
Independent study application for all other degree students need
to be approved by the supervisor of their particular degree program.
Independent studies may be offered only by regular full-time faculty
members. Required core courses and
regularly scheduled elective courses may not be taken by independent
study.
Grading policies regarding incompletes also apply to independent
study courses. All paperwork, including approval signatures, must
be filed with the Office of the Registrar prior to the semester
in which the independent study
is taken. |
