New Student Admission Process

• Demonstrate commitment to Christ and evidence of the new birth.
• Be actively engaged in ministry and possess gifts for Christian service.
• Have earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university and maintained a grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 system. Students having a G.P.A. less than 2.5 may apply for admission under Academic Probation.
• Affirm the ABTS Core Confession of Faith.
• Enroll in the Introduction to Graduate Theological Education course.
• Manifest the ability to use the English language in speech and writing. All new applicants to ABTS whose first language is not English will be required to take an English proficiency examination.

This exam will be administered through ABTS, and further details can be obtained from ABTS country coordinators. The exam has both audio and reading portions, and will require approximately 2-3 hours to complete. The English Proficiency Exam serves as part of the ABTS application requirements, and the test results will be considered in the admissions process according to the following criteria:

• Applicants who score 450 or above will be admitted to ABTS without restrictions.
• Applicants whose score falls from 400-449 will be admitted to ABTS with probationary status. Students on probation will be allowed to have only 1 open class at any time. They will remain on probation until they complete a minimum of 3 classes while maintaining a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher. Students on Probation who fail to maintain a GPA of 1.5 or higher will be liable for withdrawal from the ABTS program.
• Applicants whose score falls below 400 will not be admitted to ABTS. They may pursue English instruction and reapply to ABTS after one year.

• Completed application packet, including an essay relating to the applicant’s personal faith and ministry involvement and a statement of support from the applicant’s spouse.
• Official academic transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Photocopies are not acceptable. Students who have difficulty in obtaining original transcripts may contact the ABTS Office for help in resolving the issue.
• Reference forms from a supervisor or colleague in the ministry, from a pastor, elder or deacon of the applicant’s local church, and from one other person (not a member of the applicant’s family).

All application materials should be sent to the ABTS office. Acceptance for admission will be considered upon receipt of all the required documents and successful completion of THL-500 Introduction to Graduate Theological Education course.

Applicants will be notified by letter when they are accepted as students. The acceptance process does take time. In order to expedite the process, we request that you fill out all forms promptly and completely before submitting them to our office.

Students are allowed to enroll in only one residence seminar, in addition to the Introduction to Graduate Theological Education course, before official acceptance. Credit will only be granted upon formal acceptance. No student will be allowed to enroll in any course for credit without submitting an application form.