Admission Procedures
The process for application and admission to
Concordia Theological Seminary normally takes from 6-12 months prior to
enrollment. An applicant must submit the following documents for the admission
process:
- An application for admission and a $42.00 check ($35-Application fee / $7-
Background Review fee).
- A completed, signed and dated Background Check Authorization form.
- A letter of recommendation from your pastor addressing your
character, talents and fitness for the Ministry. This letter should be
addressed to the Department of Admission and mailed directly to the
seminary by your pastor
- Four personal letters of recommendation that address your
character, scholarly ability and fitness to serve as a pastor. Each
letter should be addressed to the Department of Admission and mailed directly to the seminary by the person recommending, not the applicant
- Information listing the ten (10) years of significant church experience
(elder, lector, evangelism caller, Bible class teacher, etc.) in a Missouri
Synod setting.
- Applicants should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission
Office by the Registrar of the college(s) they have attended.
- Applicants should contact their district president to schedule the district
interview. It is the responsibility of the district interview committee to
arrange this interview. The results of the interview will be forwarded to the
seminary's Admission Office.
- Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
General Test and have the scores forwarded to the seminary for consideration as
part of their application for admission. Those applicants who already have a
master's, doctorate or equivalent degree are not required to take the GRE. GRE
test scores beyond five years will not be accepted. GRE Information Bulletins
can be obtained from the Admission Office or at any college Registrar's Office.
The GRE is also available by computer at many locations.
Entry Level Competency
Students will need to demonstrate that they
possess entry-level competence in Old Testament content and New Testament
content. This demonstration is not required prior to admission to the program,
but is required to enroll in certain courses in the program. Students may
demonstrate that they possess entry-level competence in each of the listed areas
in one of two ways:
- By passing a competency test during the 12 months prior to the date of
beginning studies in the program (tests may be requested via this form), or
- By passing a pre-seminary level course offered by the seminary.