Deadlines & Requirements
Click on your program below to view specific deadlines and requirements.
Upcoming Deadlines:
February 1, 2023 – Fall 2023 Priority Deadline
June 1, 2023 – Fall 2023 Final Deadline
Application Requirements:
• Application Form (available online here)
• Resume/CV
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this degree in meeting future goals.
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree.* (Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school.)
• Three Letters of Recommendation:
Two Academic OR Professional Recommendations
One Pastoral/General Recommendation
• Application Fee ($50)
• If your first language is not English: English Proficiency Documentation (official TOEFL, official IELTS, or official Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted.) See English proficiency test preferred scores here.
• If applying for the MTS Spiritually Integrative Psychotherapy Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.
* Under certain circumstances, applicants who do not hold an accredited bachelor’s degree may be admitted if they can demonstrate adequate preparation and likelihood for success in a graduate program. Please contact the Office of Admissions for further information by emailing admission@cst.edu.
Upcoming Deadlines:
December 15, 2022 – Fall 2023 Priority Deadline
Late Spring 2023 – Fall 2023 Final Deadline
*PLEASE NOTE: The PhD in Religion with a concentration in Contextual Theologies is the only PhD that can admit students in both spring and fall semesters. All other PhD programs are fall admission only. For further information, please contact admission@cst.edu*
Application Requirements:
• GRE not required (If you choose to submit GRE scores, please use this code: 4710)
• Application Form (available online here)
• Resume/CV
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this degree in meeting future goals.
• Writing Sample
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited master’s degree in a relevant field. (Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school.)
• a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive
• Three Letters of Recommendation:
Two Academic OR Professional Recommendations
One General Recommendation
• Application Fee ($50)
• If your first language is not English: English Proficiency Documentation (official TOEFL, official IELTS, or official Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted.) See English proficiency test preferred scores here.
• If applying for the Spiritually Integrative Psychotherapy Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.
Upcoming Deadlines:
November 1, 2022 – Spring 2023 Final Deadline
Early Spring 2023 – Fall 2023 Final Deadline
Application Requirements:
• Application Form (available online here)
• Resume/CV demonstrating at least three years of ministry experience after the completion of an MDiv (or equivalent)
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this degree in meeting future goals.
• Writing Sample
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent.* (Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school.)
• a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive
• *MDiv Equivalency is determined by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of official transcripts and supporting documentation. Per ATS guidelines, MDiv equivalency is defined as “72 graduate semester credits or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include Master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Twelve semester credits of the 72-credit requirement may be fulfilled by 24 semester credits of upper division undergraduate coursework in Theology or Religion. Graduates of certain institutions who have obtained an MTh degree meet the MDiv equivalency requirements.”
• Three Letters of Recommendation:
Two Academic OR Professional Recommendations
One General Recommendation
• Application Fee ($50)
• If your first language is not English: English Proficiency Documentation (official TOEFL, official IELTS, or official Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted.) See English proficiency test preferred scores here.
• If applying for the Spiritual Care & Counseling Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.
Upcoming Deadlines:
November 1, 2022 – Spring 2023 Final Deadline
Early Spring 2023 – Fall 2023 Final Deadline
Application Requirements:
• Application Form (available online here)
• Resume/CV demonstrating at least three years of ministry experience after the completion of an MDiv (or equivalent).
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this degree in meeting future goals.
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent.* (Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school.)
• a minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale is considered competitive
• *MDiv Equivalency is determined by the Admissions Committee upon receipt of official transcripts and supporting documentation. Per ATS guidelines, MDiv equivalency is defined as “72 graduate semester credits or comparable graduate credits in other systems that represent broad-based work in theology, biblical studies, and the arts of ministry and that include Master’s degree and significant ministerial leadership. Twelve semester credits of the 72-credit requirement may be fulfilled by 24 semester credits of upper division undergraduate coursework in Theology or Religion. Graduates of certain institutions who have obtained an MTh degree meet the MDiv equivalency requirements.”
• Three Letters of Recommendation:
Two Academic OR Professional Recommendations
One General Recommendation
• Application Fee ($50)
Upcoming Deadlines:
February 1, 2023 – Fall 2023 Priority Deadline
June 1, 2023 – Fall 2023 Final Deadline
Application Requirements:
• Application Form (available online here)
• Personal Statement (approximately 1000 words)
Please address (1) Your reasons for the pursuit of graduate theological study, (2) your desire to study at Claremont School of Theology, and (3) your intended use of this coursework in meeting future goals.
• Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of an accredited bachelor’s degree.
• Application Fee ($25)
• If your first language is not English: English Proficiency Documentation (official TOEFL, official IELTS, or official Duolingo English Test scores will be accepted.) See English proficiency test preferred scores here.
United Methodist Advanced Course of Study Applicants:
In addition to the above, please also submit the following:
• Official Transcript for Course of Study
• Letter of Recommendation (1) from District Superintendent or Course of Study Director
Additional Information
Rolling Admissions: Most of our programs review applications as they are submitted. Completing your application early maximizes your admission and financial aid opportunities. Please ensure the Office of Admissions receives all required application materials as soon as possible before the deadline.
English Proficiency Notes: Most of CST’s programs require applicants whose first language is not English to submit either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test exam.
TOEFL iBT – Please submit Internet-based (iBT) scores. Computer-based (CBT) scores will only be accepted if an applicant lives in a country that does not offer the iBT. Minimum scores preferred vary by program. To view the scores required for each program please click here.
IELTS – (International English Language Testing System) – Minimum scores preferred vary by program. To view the scores required for each program please click here.
Duolingo English Test – To view the scores required for each program please click here.
Letters of Recommendation:
Applicants who have been away from academic study for five years or more may select recommenders who can speak to the applicant’s academic potential and/or professional accomplishments to fulfill the academic recommendation requirement.
Letters of Recommendation may not be submitted by relatives/family members of the applicant Please be in contact with your admissions counselor to ensure appropriate recommendation choices.
Application Materials:
Please ensure that all relevant application materials are submitted in English. If using translation or degree equivalency service, please use a certified service, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).
Hard copies of supporting documentation should be mailed to:
Claremont School of Theology
Office of Admission
1325 N College Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
The Office of Admission does not retain application materials beyond three years and requires new materials from applicants who exceed that timeframe. All application materials become the property of Claremont School of Theology and will not be returned to the applicant nor released to a third party (e.g. educational institution).
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Claremont School of Theology (CST) strives to make theological education affordable through its financial aid program and is proud to offer scholarships to nearly all eligible incoming students.
Contact us
Office Of Admission
1325 N College Avenue Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: (909) 447-2504
Admission
admission@cst.edu
Financial Aid
financialaid@cst.edu