School of Graduate Studies / Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
– Admissions Requirements
Jerusalem Seminary exists to further the education and spiritual development of people who are committed to think, work, relate, and minister in ways faithful to the full gospel, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is imperative that students applying to our graduate programs share these commitments. We use a number of metrics to assess this commitment and are suitably prepared to succeed in the degree to which they are applying.
Students applying for admission to the School of Graduate Studies should prepare to submit the following items along with demographic data in our online application.
Letter of Intent
Personally, students are asked to share with us a brief statement of their reasons for wanting to matriculate into the graduate program to which they are applying. This letter need not be longer than a page, and ought not to exceed two pages. This letter is online, max 600 words.
Personally, students are asked to share with us a brief statement of their reasons for wanting to matriculate into the graduate program to which they are applying. This letter need not be longer than a page, and ought not to exceed two pages. This letter is online, max 600 words.
Personal Narrative
We also ask that each student tell us about their personal spiritual journey in a brief personal narrative. Again, we request that this narrative be between one and two pages in length, online and max 600 words.
We also ask that each student tell us about their personal spiritual journey in a brief personal narrative. Again, we request that this narrative be between one and two pages in length, online and max 600 words.
Personal Interview
Once we have your completed application, our admissions team will reach out to you to schedule a live interview with our admissions committee.
Once we have your completed application, our admissions team will reach out to you to schedule a live interview with our admissions committee.
Transcripts
Academically, we ask that students submit transcripts from their undergraduate degree granting institution as well as any additional undergraduate or graduate coursework they have completed. It is our general expectation that someone who has achieved average or higher grades at an institution of higher education that is accredited at the standards one would find in Israel, the United States, or other comparable standards is well prepared to enter our programs. Students coming from programs that do not hold at least these levels of accreditation or in regions where such accreditation is not an option will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Academically, we ask that students submit transcripts from their undergraduate degree granting institution as well as any additional undergraduate or graduate coursework they have completed. It is our general expectation that someone who has achieved average or higher grades at an institution of higher education that is accredited at the standards one would find in Israel, the United States, or other comparable standards is well prepared to enter our programs. Students coming from programs that do not hold at least these levels of accreditation or in regions where such accreditation is not an option will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Letters of Recommendation
In addition to the letter of intent, the personal narrative, and copies of academic transcripts, each student should ask four recommenders to submit letters on their behalf. Two of these should address the students personal, spiritual fitness for spiritual formation and leadership. Ideally, one of these two will be the student’s pastor or spiritual overseer. The remaining two letters of recommendation ought to address the student’s potential for success academically at the level of degree to which they are applying. It is preferred that these academic letters come from professors who taught the student in their most recent academic work. Generally, they need to be individuals who know the student’s academic abilities well.
In addition to the letter of intent, the personal narrative, and copies of academic transcripts, each student should ask four recommenders to submit letters on their behalf. Two of these should address the students personal, spiritual fitness for spiritual formation and leadership. Ideally, one of these two will be the student’s pastor or spiritual overseer. The remaining two letters of recommendation ought to address the student’s potential for success academically at the level of degree to which they are applying. It is preferred that these academic letters come from professors who taught the student in their most recent academic work. Generally, they need to be individuals who know the student’s academic abilities well.
Local Mentor Agreement
With Jerusalem Seminary’s commitment to spiritual formation and ministerial development, we ask that all applicants bring with them to the higher education experience a local ministerial mentor who agrees to track with them throughout the educational process.
With Jerusalem Seminary’s commitment to spiritual formation and ministerial development, we ask that all applicants bring with them to the higher education experience a local ministerial mentor who agrees to track with them throughout the educational process.
English Proficiency
With the exception of our living language Biblical Hebrew courses, all courses at Jerusalem Seminary are administered in English. Students matriculating into the seminary must have a good command of communication (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) in English. If you are not a native English speaker, we ask that you take an English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) before completing the online application.
With the exception of our living language Biblical Hebrew courses, all courses at Jerusalem Seminary are administered in English. Students matriculating into the seminary must have a good command of communication (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) in English. If you are not a native English speaker, we ask that you take an English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) before completing the online application.
Each student should begin the application process by filling out the online application form here.
Financial Aid
Jerusalem Seminary is committed to making theological higher education affordable. We do not have separate named scholarships for which students can submit applications. Our scholarship committee will consider all applicants for merit based scholarships. Once the admissions committee has made a decision and notified the student of their acceptance to the program, the scholarship committee will make a decision about the financial aid offer that JS is able to make and will notify the student within a week.
Jerusalem Seminary is committed to making theological higher education affordable. We do not have separate named scholarships for which students can submit applications. Our scholarship committee will consider all applicants for merit based scholarships. Once the admissions committee has made a decision and notified the student of their acceptance to the program, the scholarship committee will make a decision about the financial aid offer that JS is able to make and will notify the student within a week.