Deadlines & Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Upcoming Deadlines:

June 1, 2024 – Fall 2024 Final Deadline

November 1 , 2024 – Spring 2025 Priority Deadline 

December 1, 2024 – Spring 2025 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 Integrated 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, 2024 – Fall 2025 Priority Deadline 
Late Spring 2025 – Fall 2025 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)

• Applicants to the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies Concentration: Applicants are expected to demonstrate at least two years of coursework (4 semesters or 6 quarters) in Hebrew language and texts and one year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) in Greek language and texts.

• Applicants to the Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Track: Applicants must have completed at least one unit of CPE, and must submit their supervisor evaluation with their application for admission.

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.

Upcoming Deadlines:

November 1, 2024 – Spring 2025 Final Deadline
Early Spring 2025 – Fall 2025 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:

September 1, 2024 – Winter 2025 Application Deadline 
March 1, 2024 – Summer 2025 Application Deadline

Application Requirements:

  • Application Form(available online here)
  • Resume/CVdemonstrating 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)
  • Application Form (available online here)
  • Academic Requirements:
    • Applicants must hold:
      • A bachelor’s degree from a theological school, or at least the five (5) theological courses in the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Church History, and Ethics. (In some cases, applicants who have not completed these prerequisite theological courses may be granted Provisional Admission while fulfilling this requirement.)
    • Applicants must also hold at least one (1) of the following:
      • (a) a master’s degree in counseling, or a counseling related field (e.g. psychology, education, social welfare, social work, psychiatry, child welfare, adolescent education).
      • (b) A bachelor’s degree in counseling (or related field) with at least three (3) years of counseling experience subsequent to receiving the degree in counseling (or related field) approved by the Korean Ministry of Women & Family
      • (c) Equivalent qualifications to (a) or (b) as determined by the Korean Ministry of Women & Family.
  • Official transcripts demonstrating the completion of the above academic requirements. (Please submit transcripts from all academic institutions attended after high school.)
  • Three letters of reference:
    • 1) a professor who knows the candidate’s academic abilities
    • 2) a pastor or a religious professional who knows the candidate’s spiritual life
    • 3) a friend or colleague
  • Personal Statement (750 words total):
    • 1) Tell us about your counseling education and clinical experience (250 words)
    • 2) Why did you choose to study at Claremont School of Theology? (250 words)
    • 3) Explain how the Doctor of Professional Counseling degree will further your vocational goals. (250 words)
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae 

Application Fee ($50)

Upcoming Deadlines:
February 1, 2025 – Fall 2025 Priority Deadline 

June 1, 2025 – Fall 2025 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

Scholarship Deadlines:

Scholarship deadlines vary depending on program and award terms, however if you are hoping to be considered for institutional scholarships, it is recommended that you complete the application process as early as possible in order to put yourself in the most competitive position possible. Most awards are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.

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

10497 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90024

 

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

Admission
admission@cst.edu

Financial Aid
financialaid@cst.edu