Welcome to our International Student Admissions page. Each year, students from across the globe – representing dozens of countries, cultures, and traditions – choose to enroll in Claremont School of Theology’s programs.
We now offer programs that allow students to study while remaining primarily in their own contexts, including our fully online MDiv program. Ask your admissions counselor about all of the different ways you can complete a CST program!
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
For students beginning their studies during the 2023-2024 academic year or later, CST degrees will be offered in the following paths. Please review your options before applying to a program:
Los Angeles Area – learning in this degree path is centered on weekly discussion sections or colloquia that take place with students physically present at CST’s campus in Westwood, Los Angeles (LA), or clinical training at approved training sites, such as The Clinebell Institute in Claremont, Calif. Beyond the weekly class section meetings and clinical training, student learning also takes place through weeklong intensive classes that meet in-person at the CST campus in Westwood, LA, and through web/technology enhancements (such as the Populi learning management system and the Zoom meetings platform). Students who attend CST as part of this degree path must live in close enough proximity to the campus to attend weekly in-person discussion sections or colloquia, or clinical training. Students may determine that proximity, and should take into account travel times (including traffic, transit needs, and other potential issues that may cause them to be tardy or absent) to ensure that they are able to attend discussion sections, colloquia, or clinical training as scheduled. Class instructors will take attendance to verify student attendance. Satisfactory attendance will be determined by each instructor. All full-time and part-time degree programs can be completed via this program path.
Hybrid – learning in this path requires students to take at least one course each semester during the in-person intensive week that meets each semester, and one semester-long class that meets weekly synchronously through Zoom or other online meeting platforms, or asynchronously through the Populi learning system. The Hybrid path is limited to the full-time and part-time Doctor of Philosophy (excluding the Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy specialization), full-time and part-time Doctor of Ministry degrees, and part-time Master of Arts and Master of Theological Studies degrees (excluding the Master of Arts in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy).
Fully Remote – learning in this degree path consists of semester-long classes that meet each week synchronously through Zoom or other online meeting platforms, and asynchronously through the Populi learning system. Students who are completing their degrees in this mode can also take elective classes that meet in-person during the intensive week that meets each semester, but this path can be completed without students ever coming to the CST campus. Currently, only the full-time and part-time Master of Divinity degree program may be completed via this path. Fully Remote full-time and part-time Master of Arts and the Master of Theological Studies degree programs are pending accreditor review and may be offered in the future.
Students who are attending CST as remote students do not need to relocate to the Los Angeles area or live near the CST campus in order to complete a CST degree. Residential students are expected to live in close enough proximity to the CST campus to attend weekly class sessions on time, and should take into account traffic and public transportation schedules when selecting their housing.
Beginning in Summer 2023, CST will not have long-term student housing for entering students. But our leadership continues to work to identify options for potential short-term housing stays in order to assist students during intensive course visits. We will share more details about those options as they become available.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Admissions Office (admission@cst.edu).
Please review all admission requirements and deadlines by clicking here.
Due to English being the language of primary instruction, applicants to all programs (other than the DMin in Practical Theology of Conflict, Healing and Transformation in Korean Contexts) whose first language is not English, must adequately demonstrate competency as part of the application process. Students may demonstrate competency by submitting scores from meet at least one of the following requirements. Please request for your official TOEFL or IELTS scores to be sent to Claremont School of Theology (school code 4710):
• TOEFL iBT scores – Apart from exceptional circumstances, all applicants for whom English is a second language must submit valid, official, Internet-based (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Computer-based (CBT) scores will only be accepted if an applicant lives in a country that does not offer the iBT. The minimum scores preferred by each program are as follows:
• Masters/Non-Degree – Composite score of 80 and a 20 on each section
• Ph.D. – Composite score of 100 and a 20 on each section
• DMIN – Composite score of 95 and a 20 on each section
• The TOEFL is not required for applicants applying to the Doctor of Ministry in Practical Theology of Healing, Reconciliation and Transformation in Korean Contexts.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores – The minimum scores preferred by each program are as follows:
• Masters/Non-Degree – Composite score of 6.5 and a 6 on each section
• Ph.D. – Composite score of 7 and a 6.5 on each section
• DMIN – Composite score of 7 and a 6.5 on each section
• Duolingo English Test scores – The minimum scores preferred by each program are as follows:
• Masters/Non-Degree – Composite score of 115–120
• Ph.D. – Composite score of 130–135
• DMIN – Composite score of 125–135
English Proficiency exemptions may be granted for students who have completed a Bachelors or Masters degree in the United States or in a country where English is the official language. Requests for TOEFL waivers should be sent to the Office of Admissions at admission@cst.edu.
Please ensure that all documents are submitted in English including your transcripts. Official transcripts must be sent from all schools attended after high school. The transcripts should be translated into English and mailed to Claremont School of Theology in a sealed envelope. Application materials should be mailed to the following address:
Claremont School of Theology
Office of Admission
1325 N College Ave
Claremont, CA 91711
Students attending CST on an F-1 visa must live in close enough proximity to the campus to attend in-person classes for which they have registered. Students may determine that proximity, and should take into account travel times (including traffic, transit needs, and other potential issues that may cause them to be tardy or absent) to ensure that they are able to attend classes at the CST campus as scheduled. Class instructors will take attendance to verify student attendance. Satisfactory attendance will be determined by each instructor.
International applicants will be considered for institutional aid including merit scholarships and endowed funds. All scholarships and endowed funds are based on a variety of criteria and availability. To see current financial aid options, please visit this page.
Some scholarships are awarded automatically at the time of admission based on the strength of admissions application. Other scholarships require additional applications, which eligible applicants will be notified of.
Similar to other Theological Institutions, full scholarships are rare. International students should be prepared to seek out sponsors and additional resources to support their overall educational and living expenses while studying at Claremont School of Theology.
It is very important that you estimate your educational and living expenses carefully to make certain that you will have sufficient funds available to meet all your needs while studying at CST. You should not expect to receive any additional scholarships or financial assistance from the institution once you have registered for classes.
International Student Visa
If you intend to travel to CST’s campus, you must obtain the necessary documents to do so. You must first be admitted to a program and then, if seeking a visa, please contact Student Services (atamayo@cst.edu) for more information.
Additional Resources
To review CST’s scholarship and financial aid offerings, please visit this page.
Questions for Admissions?
If you have questions for the admissions office, please feel free to contact us by email at: