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Admissions
Contacting Westminster Seminary California
Our admissions staff is prepared to assist you in every possible way
as you walk through the admissions process from first application to
final acceptance. If you have any questions that are not answered in
this catalogue or on our website, we invite you to
contact the Westminster Seminary California Office of Admissions by
calling us toll free at 1.888.480.8474 (8:00am-4:30pm PST) or via
email admissions@wscal.edu.
Campus Visits
Visiting our campus is the best way for prospective students to get
acquainted with Westminster Seminary California. A campus visit
provides an excellent opportunity to experience the quality
education and community life that WSC has to offer. Typical visits
include a campus tour, class and devotions attendance, meetings with
admissions and financial aid representatives, and interaction with
faculty and current students. Campus visits are scheduled Tuesday
through Friday during the academic year by contacting the Office of
Admissions. WSC also hosts special “Seminary for a Day” visit
opportunities during each academic term. Go to
www.wscal.edu/admissions for information about the next event.
If you are planning a visit, please note that Westminster Seminary
California has a travel reimbursement program for campus visits.
Please see the Financial Aid section of the catalogue for more
information.
Westminster seminary California
Admissions Requirements
Applications for Admission to Westminster Seminary California’s
academic programs are evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s
academic preparation and potential for successful completion of
program requirements. Admission to WSC as a student generally
requires the following:
- The successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) at an
accredited institution of higher learning
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7
- Satisfactory completion of all application requirements, including a
signed application with application fee and personal essay, receipt of all
academic transcripts, and acceptable academic and ecclesiastical references
- A passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
International Students Only
Application Procedure
The following steps are required to complete an application to any
of the Westminster Seminary California Master’s degree programs
(M.A. or M.Div.) under normal circumstances. (Please see the
information below regarding “Additional Admission Requirements,”
“Non-Degree Seeking Applicants,” “International Student Admissions,”
or “Special Student” status if applicable).
1) Complete the WSC Application for
Admission and Essay
The application form may be obtained and submitted in any of the
following ways:
The application form and essay provide helpful information in order
for the Admissions Committee to evaluate each applicant fairly. The
Application for Admission should be filled out in a complete and
accurate manner and must include the applicant’s signature on the
last page to avoid delays in processing.
Each application must include a non-refundable application fee of
$30.00. If you are applying online you will be asked to pay via Visa
or MasterCard after you have submitted the application. No
applications will be processed without the application fee and any
applicable late fees. Applications postmarked after June 30th for
the summer or fall semesters or November 30th for the winter or
spring semesters, must include a non-refundable application fee of
$45.00.
2) Academic and Ecclesiastical References
The Academic and Ecclesiastical Reference forms are available to
download at
www.wscal.edu/admissions
or via mail by contacting the Office of Admissions at
888/480.8474 or admissions@wscal.edu.
The purpose of the Academic Reference is to evaluate an applicant’s
academic ability and the likelihood that the applicant can
successfully meet Westminster Seminary California’s academic
requirements. This form should be completed by a professor at the
undergraduate or graduate level under whom the applicant completed
coursework. In extraordinary cases, with prior approval from the
Office of Admissions, an academic essay may be submitted in lieu of
the Academic Reference if a suitable person can not be found to
complete the form. The essay must be typed, 1,500-2,000 words in
length (excluding footnotes), on a topic of the applicants choosing.
The essay must be well-written with a clear thesis, and must
interact with at least three published sources (not including
internet sources). Applicants are advised to follow the academic
formatting style found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of
Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago University Press,
1996).
The purpose of the Ecclesiastical Reference is to evaluate an
applicant’s spiritual fitness for seminary studies and information
regarding ministerial calling. This form should be completed by a
pastor/elder from the church of which the applicant is a member in
good standing. If a suitable person is not available at the
applicant’s church or an applicant feels that it is preferable to
have the reference completed by a pastor/elder from a church of
which the applicant is not a member, an explanation must be
submitted to the Office of Admissions with the completed reference
form.3) Official Transcripts
Official transcripts (sealed) of all academic work beyond high
school must be submitted as part of the completed application
package. If more than one college was attended, include a transcript
from each. The Application for Admission will not be processed until
all academic transcripts are received. Admission may be granted on a
conditional basis if an applicant is in the process of completing
the final year of an undergraduate degree program. An official
transcript showing the attainment of the Bachelor of Arts or its
academic equivalent must be submitted before the student is allowed
to enroll in courses at WSC.
Applicants desiring to apply to the Master’s programs of Westminster
Seminary California are ordinarily required to hold a Bachelor’s
degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited college or university. (See
the information below regarding “Graduates of Unaccredited
Institutions” and the “Special Student” program). While it is not
possible to prescribe one pattern as normative for pre-seminary
education, a degree of mastery in the following areas is
recommended: English composition and literature, history,
philosophy, natural sciences, social sciences, ancient classical and
modern foreign languages, and English Bible.
Completed application forms, references, and transcripts should
be submitted to:
Westminster Seminary California
Attn: Office of Admissions
1725 Bear Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027
The Admissions Committee may grant admission on the basis of the
credentials submitted or the committee may require the applicant 1)
to meet with a seminary representative for a personal interview,
and/or 2) to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which is
administered at various centers throughout the U.S. and the world.
More information about the GRE is available at
www.gre.org.
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Westminster
seminary California Admissions Procedures
Admission Deadlines and Late Fees
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for the following
academic term. While it is recommended that completed Applications
for Admission be submitted at least two months in advance of the
anticipated date of enrollment, applications are accepted and
processed through the last add/drop date for each academic term
designated in the Academic Catalogue. Applications postmarked or
submitted electronically after June 30th for the summer/fall terms
and November 30th for the winter/spring terms require an additional
$15.00 late processing fee. It is recommended that students who wish
to receive priority consideration for financial aid complete the
application for admission process by March 1st for the following
academic year.
Notification of Admission
Application files will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee
within one week of their completion. Westminster Seminary California
will notify the applicant of the committee’s decision by email as
soon as it is made, followed by an official letter by mail within
two weeks after the email notification is sent. If a final
transcript verifying completion of an undergraduate degree is
pending at the time of application, admission may be granted on a
conditional basis. The final transcript must be received before a
student is allowed to enroll in classes at WSC.
Advanced Tuition Deposit
In order to confirm their intent to enroll and register for courses,
applicants who have been granted admission to WSC are required to
submit an $80.00 advanced tuition deposit by June 1st prior to the
academic year in which they intend to enroll (November 1st for the
spring semester). If the applicant is admitted after this date, the
tuition deposit is due within two weeks of notification of
admission. The tuition deposit must be received in order for a
student’s registration to be processed.
Deferred Enrollment
An accepted student may be granted a deferred enrollment for up to one additional academic year beyond the year noted on the application without being required to reapply for admission. The student must request this deferred enrollment in writing, addressed to the Director of Admissions.
New Student Registration
Registration materials are mailed in June (summer/fall students) and
November (winter/spring students) to all new accepted students.
Registration will only be processed for those students who have
submitted the $80.00 tuition deposit before the registration
deadline (late registrations will be accepted with a late fee of
$50.00 until the last day to add/drop for each semester as
determined by the Academic Catalogue). For more information
regarding WSC registration policies see the Academic Policies
section.
Financial Aid
Westminster Seminary California has a wide range of financial aid
opportunities available to students. Prospective students intending
to apply for financial aid are encouraged to complete the WSC
Application for Financial Aid or WSC International Student
Application for Financial Aid (available through the Office of
Admissions and
online and the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov
school code: G22768 U.S. students only) by April 1 prior to the
academic year for which they plan to enroll. This date is
recommended but is not final for financial aid consideration. Please
note that a student must be admitted to a degree program at WSC in
order to receive financial aid. Please see the financial aid section
of the catalogue for more details.
Following Admission
After you are admitted, but before you start classes, there are a
few items to consider. You may be eligible to test out of certain
classes. See the Academic Policies section of the catalogue for
information on waiving Graduate Theological Writing, Greek and/or
Hebrew, and Oral Communication requirements
Student Orientation
Westminster Seminary California provides a New Student Orientation
prior to each academic term. It is normally scheduled one day prior
to the start of the fall or spring semesters (see Academic
Calendar). All new students enrolled in a Master of Arts or Master
of Divinity degree program are required to attend. The purpose of
the orientation is to introduce students to seminary life, the
campus, theological education, seminary policies and the resources
of the surrounding community.
Admission on Probation
Academic probation is a period of testing and proving one’s
abilities. Students admitted to a WSC degree program on probation
are granted a specified period of initial evaluation, followed by a
second Admissions Committee meeting evaluating the student’s ability
to continue in the degree program. Admission on probation provides
an opportunity for students who otherwise might not be admitted to
the Seminary to demonstrate their ability to complete graduate
theological study.
The following categories of students are admitted
on probation:
-
Special students – Those admitted under
“Special Student” status (see admission requirements for Special
Students below)
-
Inadequate preparation – A review of
transcripts of undergraduate or graduate studies and/or academic
reference evaluations that raises concerns about the adequacy of
the student’s preparation, abilities, and/or discipline to
pursue graduate theological studies
-
Unaccredited Institutions – Students holding a
Bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited institution
While on probation, a student may take a maximum of
20 semester hours of course work before further review. When a
student has completed 15-20 semester hours, the Admissions Committee
will evaluate the student’s academic progress and make a decision as
follows: 1) grant admission to a degree program; or 2) grant
continuation of probation for one semester; or 3) dismiss the
student from the Seminary. Normally a minimum cumulative grade point
average of at least 2.0 in seminary course work shall be required
for confirmation of admission. Inasmuch as probation is to be used
to assist a student to develop and demonstrate academic competency,
admission on probation shall not be recorded on his permanent
transcript.
Veterans
The following policies apply to students receiving educational
benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (D.V.A.), in
compliance with that department’s policies:
Westminster Seminary California is required to initiate a review of
transcripts of any Master’s level (M.Div., M.A.) course work that a
D.V.A. student has completed at another theological seminary in
order to determine which and how many credits are transferable as
partially fulfilling WSC’s degree requirements. All course work that
is transferable as equivalent to Westminster Seminary California’s
required or elective courses will be transferred into the student’s
present Westminster Seminary California program. The Academic Dean
determines course equivalence on the basis of course descriptions,
syllabi, prerequisites, and requirements, and in consultation with
the relevant instructors of courses.
WSC is approved for the Department of Veterans Affairs educational
benefits, the California State Graduate Fellowship Program, and the
Federal Family Education Loan Program. For information, contact the
Veterans Office or the Financial Aid Advisor.
Request for ADA
Accommodation
The office of the Dean of Students works with students with
disabilities who wish to request accommodation. The Dean of Students
provides orientation to campus resources and directs students to
other potential resources for accommodation to the student’s
disability. Physically challenged students are encouraged to request
accommodation as early as possible in their planning process.
International Student Admissions
Students of high academic standing from foreign countries are
encouraged to apply to Westminster Seminary California. Applicants
should note that, while some limited financial assistance may be
awarded by the Seminary toward tuition costs, complete financial
support (including living expenses) is not granted to any student.
International students are encouraged to seek additional means of
support elsewhere. All international applicants must seek and show
certified proof of additional financial means of support. It should
be noted that due to recent changes in the law towards foreign
students, prospective students are urged to start the application
process at least one year in advance of their anticipated enrollment
date.In addition to the admission requirements outlined above,
international student applicants must also meet the following
requirements to be admitted to a Master’s degree program (M.A. or
M.Div.) at Westminster Seminary California.
English Language Proficiency
Non-native English speakers must achieve either a score of at least
570 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
and 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE), or a score of at least
230 on the computer-based TOEFL with a 4.5 minimum on the essay
portion of the exam, or a score of at least 89 on the Internet Based
Test with a minimum writing score of 26. The following chart
summarizes the TOEFL requirements at Westminster Seminary
California:
Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) Requirements
|
Test Format |
Internet |
Computer |
Paper |
Writing
(Internet) |
TWE
(Computer/
Paper) |
Minimum
Score |
88-89 |
230 |
570 |
25 |
4.5 |
Applicants must make their own testing arrangements with Educational
Testing Service (ETS):
-
at
www.ets.org
-
via email toefl@ets.org
-
by calling TOEFL Services 609.771.7100
-
by writing P.O. Box
6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA.
Applicants should request that the results be sent directly to
Westminster Seminary California [school code: 4980]. Please note
that the student’s copy of the results cannot be used for admissions
purposes.
Graduate Theological Writing (PT400)
All non-native English speaking applicants who are admitted to WSC
with the minimum required score of 570 but less than 640 on the
Paper Based TOEFL, or with the minimum required score of 4.5 but
less than 5.5 on the TWE, or with the minimum required score of 88
but less than 112 on the Internet Based TOEFL, or with the minimum
required score of 25 but less than 29 on the writing portion of the
exam, must register for PT400 Graduate Theological Writing during
the fall semester of their first year and during each subsequent
fall semester until the course is passed. The course must be passed
in order for the student to graduate from WSC.
F-1 Visa/I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status)
In order for the applicant to receive from the Seminary the Certificate of Eligibility
(Form I-20) necessary to obtain the F-1 visa for nonimmigrant students, the following conditions must be satisfied:
- The applicant must be admitted as a full-time student to an Master’s degree
program
Applicants are required to supply certification that they have
financial resources adequate to provide for their expenses while in
seminary without resorting to unauthorized employment. United States
law administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
restricts the employment of international students. Funds may come
from personal savings, family, church or denomination, sponsoring
agencies or individuals, or some other dependable source. If
expenses will be paid from personal or family savings, the applicant
must supply official bank records demonstrating that the account or
accounts contain funds sufficient to cover expenses for the entire
degree program. If expenses will be supplied by assistance from
family members or other sponsors on a year-by-year basis, the
applicant must send certification from these sources:
-
that the sponsor (or sponsors) have the
resources to guarantee the expenses for at least the first year
of study, and that the sponsor (or sponsors) are able and
committed, barring unforeseen circumstances, to provide adequate
funding for the subsequent years of the student’s degree program
at Westminster Seminary California.
-
An applicant with dependents must show, by
statement from some responsible organization or individual
(including bank statements or tax returns), funds which are
committed to and sufficient for the support and care of the
dependents at home while he is in the U.S.; or sufficient funds
for round-trip tickets and the entire support of the dependents
during their stay in the U.S., if they are to accompany the
student.
Please note that the regulations regarding the
issuing of student visas may change at any time and it is the
student’s responsibility to investigate requirements through the
local United States Consulate. International students should also
visit www.uscis.gov
(U.S. Immigration) for forms and policies
regarding coming to the United States as a foreign student.
Once these conditions have been met the Designated School Official (D.S.O.)
will issue the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20). Students who come
to study on an I-20 must register and maintain full-time status of
12 or more units per semester.
Graduates of Unaccredited
Institutions
Westminster Seminary California has long recognized the value of
the accreditation process both as a means of institutional
self-evaluation and self improvement and as a means of external
attestation of educational quality to students, constituency, and
other academic institutions. We also recognize that for various
reasons (recent founding of an institution, location in a nation
lacking accreditation processes, reservations about the
accreditation process) certain institutions may lack accreditation
by a recognized association and yet maintain academic standards
comparable to those found in accredited institutions. Since such
institutions cannot offer reliable third-party evaluation and
attestation to their academic standards, Westminster Seminary
California exercises caution in evaluating applications and/or
requests for transfer credit from graduates of such institutions.
Graduates of unaccredited institutions are admitted under
probationary status.
In order to evaluate whether a degree from an unaccredited
institution meets the standards required for admission, applicants
must submit the following, in addition to general admission
requirements:
-
A catalogue of the unaccredited institution granting the
student’s degree.
-
If the institution is in the United States, a copy of the
document attesting authorization to grant degrees by the State
Board of Education. Such authorization is not equivalent to
accreditation in the evaluation of adherence to accepted
academic standards, but it does show that the institution has
offered evidence of its educational purpose and financial
responsibility.
-
A document which provides details regarding the institutions
from which the current faculty of the institution received their
graduate/advanced degrees, and identifying which faculty members
are full-time (if not clearly stated in the catalogue).
-
A list of accredited institutions that have admitted
graduates of the unaccredited institution and/or accepted its
courses for transfer credit.
-
Two examples of assigned course work submitted to the
institution.
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Special Students (M.Div. Only)
In extraordinary cases a student whose gifts for
pastoral ministry have been strongly confirmed by the church but who
has not completed an approved Bachelor’s degree program may apply
for admission to the M.Div. program as a Special Student. Because
the Seminary strongly believes that an undergraduate Bachelor’s
degree program in the liberal arts and sciences is the preferred
preparation for graduate theological study, only a limited number of
Special Students may be admitted in any one year. To more clearly
evaluate the Special Student application file, Westminster Seminary
California has designated specific criteria regarding the
applicant’s academic history, ministry and employment experience,
and standardized examination results.
Education
The applicant must have completed at least 30 semester units (or
equivalent) of undergraduate study at an accredited or otherwise
approved college or university. Of these units, at least 15 semester
units must be in humanities or liberal arts other than Bible and
theology (namely, English or world literature, history, philosophy,
ancient or modern foreign languages, etc.). To strengthen the
application, the remaining course work should be in the above areas
or in natural sciences, social sciences, and Bible/theology. The
cumulative grade point average in undergraduate course work must be
3.0 or above.
Employment and Christian
Service
The applicant must also have life experience in employment and
Christian service in a church or para-church organization. Four
years of employment experience and of experience in Christian
service will be weighted as equivalent to one year (30 semester
units) of undergraduate study. The applicant must have a total
preparation package (combining ministry/employment experience and
academic course work) equivalent to four years (120 semester units)
of undergraduate study. Thus Special Student applicants must
demonstrate one of the following combinations of academic and life
experience:
-
30-59 semester units of academic courses, plus
12 years employment and 12 years Christian service/experience.
-
60-89 semester units of academic courses, plus
8 years employment and 8 years Christian service/experience.
-
90-119 semester units of academic courses, plus
4 years employment and 4 years Christian service/experience.
Years of employment and Christian service experience may be
fulfilled concurrently, but both categories must be fulfilled.
Graduate Record Examination
The applicant must take the GRE General Test and obtain scores at or
above the 50th percentile in the verbal and analytical writing
sections. Applicants should request that the Educational Testing
Service send GRE test results directly to Westminster Seminary
California [school code: 4980].
Narrative Essay
The Special Student applicant must also submit a concise but
thorough narrative essay that describes both the type and duration
of Christian service/ministry experience, including dates, and
specific ministry activities (including biblical or theological
study and teaching), oversight, evaluation received, and lessons
learned, and the type and duration of employment experience,
including dates, responsibilities, oversight, and lessons learned.
Ecclesiastical Reference
Because a Special Student’s admission constitutes an exception to
normal admissions criteria for the sake of the church’s leadership
needs and its confirmation of an individual’s gifts and maturity for
ministry, special attention will be given to the evaluation offered
by a pastor or other church leader in the Ecclesiastical Reference
concerning the applicant’s Christian maturity, experience in
ministry, and potential for future service in the church.
Additional Information
Upon request by the Office of Admissions, the applicant may be
required to demonstrate knowledge of the liberal arts and an ability
to pursue graduate level study by submitting an essay or research
paper for evaluation by the Admissions Committee.
Special students are admitted initially on probationary status.
After completing, with a cumulative grade point average of at least
2.3, the courses specified in the standard M.Div. curriculum for the
summer, fall, and winter terms of the first year, he shall receive
confirmation of acceptance into the M.Div. degree program.
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Certificate Students (M.A. Only)
Westminster Seminary California’s certificate programs are designed
for those men or women for whom the completion of a Bachelor’s
degree is not feasible, who desire to develop personal understanding
of Scripture and theology, and who anticipate pursuing no further
academic study. The curricula for these certificate programs are
identical to the M.A. Biblical Studies, M.A. Theological Studies,
and M.A. Historical Theology, respectively. A limited number of
certificate students are admitted in any one year.
Though WSC is not able to award Masters of Arts
degrees to individuals who lack a Bachelor’s degree, a certificate
with accompanying transcript will attest to the student’s completion
of a unified course of studies in biblical, theological, or
historical theology disciplines.
Certificate students take courses for credit, pay regular fees,
receive faculty evaluation of course assignments and examinations,
and have a record of their completion of certificate requirements
maintained by the Registrar. “Credit/No Credit” evaluation is used
for certificate students and reported on their transcripts.
The application requirements for the certificate program are similar
to those for the Special Student application, and the criteria are
followed rigorously by the Admissions Committee (See the “Special
Students” section above).
Because an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree program
in the liberal arts and sciences is the preferred preparation for
graduate theological study, and because the lack of a Bachelor’s
degree often proves a hindrance to later educational goals,
Westminster Seminary California urges individuals to complete a
Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university, and then
apply to an M.A. program rather than to a certificate program.
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Transfer Credit Requirements
Admission and Transcript Evaluation
Students desiring to transfer from another graduate institution must
submit all regular required application items, including the
following: Application for Admission, application fee,
Ecclesiastical Reference, Academic Reference, and official
transcripts from each post-secondary institution from which the
applicant has received credit. Once the prospective transfer student
has been admitted to Westminster Seminary California, the Registrar
will complete a transcript evaluation to determine which courses
will receive credit from WSC. If a transfer student desires a
preliminary transcript evaluation prior to acceptance, the student
may submit their official transcripts and request for transcript
evaluation to the Office of Admissions. Transfer credits are not
final until after the student’s admission status has been
determined.
Transfer Credit Policies
Westminster Seminary California may grant graduate level credit for
courses in which a grade of C (not C-) or above was received. Course
work from an accredited institution may transfer as equivalent to a
required course or as elective credit in the student’s program at
WSC. The Academic Dean determines course equivalence on the basis of
course descriptions, syllabi, prerequisites, and requirements, and
in consultation with the relevant instructors of courses.
Transfer credit may not be granted for coursework at another
institution for courses in the WSC curriculum that require biblical
languages (Greek and/or Hebrew) as prerequisite courses taken at
institutions where those pre-requisites do not exist.
At least 36 semester hours must be completed in a WSC degree
program. No transfer credit will be given for Greek or Hebrew
language courses taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level
with the exception of students who have taken Greek or Hebrew for
credit at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Language
credits from WTS-Philadelphia may be transferred by submitting an
official transcript to the WSC Registrar’s office documenting
passing grades. Students who have taken Greek and/or Hebrew language
courses at other institutions are encouraged to take the language
placement exams.
No transfer credit will be given for work that has previously been
used as a basis for the awarding of a Master’s or Doctoral degree by
another institution. Students admitted to the Master of Divinity
program may be granted “Advanced Standing” for course work for which
they have previously received a Master of Arts degree in Biblical or
Theological studies, or a Master of Arts in Religion degree. See the
Advanced Standing policy.
Advanced Standing (M.Div.)
Students holding a Master of Arts or Master of Arts in Religion
degree from an accredited theological seminary or divinity school
may be granted advanced standing toward the Master of Divinity
degree. Students who receive advanced standing at WSC must complete,
over a period of at least two academic years, at least 60 semester
hours beyond the M.A. or M.A.R. The 60 semester hours includes all
required M.Div. courses not previously taken and excludes any
additional Greek or Hebrew courses that must be taken to fulfill the
WSC language requirements.
Transfer Credit from Unaccredited
Institutions
Students admitted to an M.A. or M.Div. program who seek transfer
credit for graduate-level studies completed at an unaccredited
institution must supply the following information for the evaluation
of each course for which transfer credit is requested:
• A copy of the course syllabus, stating the instructor’s name and
the course requirements
• At least one sample of course work submitted in fulfillment of
course requirements
All decisions regarding transfer credit from unaccredited
institutions are made on a course-by-course basis. Acceptance of one
course from an unaccredited institution for transfer credit carries
no implication regarding the acceptance of other courses from that
institution.
Only courses in which a grade of B (not B-) or above was received
will be accepted for transfer credit. No more than 15 semester hours
(23 quarter hours) from an unaccredited institution will be accepted
for transfer credit toward a student’s degree program at Westminster
Seminary California.
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non-degree-seeking applicants
Visiting, Non-Matriculated, and Certificate
Students taking courses for credit (as well as non-credit as
auditors and listeners) are to observe all policies and procedures
stated in the catalogue, except those specifically pertaining to
M.Div. or M.A. program requirements.
Visiting Students
Students holding a Bachelor’s degree from an approved institution
who desire to take courses for credit at WSC may follow a simplified
application procedure to apply for the status of Visiting Student.
Each applicant must submit a completed Visiting Student Application
form, a non-refundable application fee, TOEFL and TWE scores (if the
applicant is not a native English speaker), and an official
transcript showing the completion of a Bachelor’s degree program.
Visiting Students may enroll in the Hebrew and Greek language
courses and up to 20 additional semester units. A Visiting Student
may enroll in any class offered by WSC as long as they have met the
prerequisites for the class. If a Visiting Student applies and is
accepted into a degree program at a later date, credits earned as a
Visiting Student will be applied to the degree program.
Non-Matriculating
Students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at other
educational institutions may, without application to and
matriculation in Westminster Seminary California, take courses at
the Seminary for transfer of credit to their current degree
programs. Non-Matriculating Students must present the Registrar
written notification from the institution in which they are enrolled
that each course to be taken at WSC is approved for credit toward
their degree requirements. The Academic Dean makes a final
determination as to whether a Non-Matriculating Student has
sufficient academic background to enroll in a particular course,
which may necessitate the request of documentation in the form of
official transcripts.
Auditing
Auditors are permitted in most courses. Persons desiring to audit
are required to secure the permission of the Registrar, complete the
audit registration form, and pay a non-refundable fee of one-half
the regular tuition charge for each course audited.
Minors (persons under 17 years old) are permitted to audit a course
only when they have either graduated from high school or passed the
GED exam, or the instructor in charge has given permission. Audit
privileges include regular class attendance, copies of all
photocopied or printed material distributed free to the class, and
the opportunity to ask occasional questions in class.
Normally auditors will not be permitted to participate in classroom
exercises or recitations or to make seminar presentations, nor will
assignments or examinations be reviewed or graded by the instructor.
Occasional visitors must seek permission of the instructor for each
class they wish to attend and will not have the privilege of
participation in class discussion. Auditors and other members of the
community have access to the library collection and on-site
resources, and for a nominal fee they may apply for circulation
privileges.
Listener's Pass
As a service to the Christian community, WSC occasionally offers a
Listener's Pass to select courses that enable an individual to
attend at a reduced (non-refundable) audit fee. The Listener's Pass
is limited to designated evening courses selected before each
academic term. Click on this link
http://www.wscal.edu/admissions/auditlisten.php for further
information regarding Listener's Pass opportunities.
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