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Is the completion of a Bachelor's degree not feasible for
you? Do you desire to develop personal understanding of
Scripture and theology? Do you anticipate pursuing no further
academic study? One of Westminster Seminary California's
certificate programs may be right for you.
A limited number of certificate students are admitted in any one
year. The need for consistency in degree requirements precludes
WSC's awarding M.A. degrees in general theological studies to
individuals who lack a Bachelor's degree; but 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.
The curricula for these certificate programs are identical to
the M.A.B.S., M.A.T.S., and M.A.H.T degree programs offered at
WSC. 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.
Because an undergraduate Bachelor's degree 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.
Applicants must have completed at least 30 semester units (or
equivalent) of undergraduate study at an accredited or otherwise
approved college or university. At least 15 semester units must
in humanities or liberal arts other than Bible and theology
(namely, English or world literature, history, philosophy,
foreign languages, etc.). To strengthen the application, other
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.
The applicant must have life experience in employment and in
Christian service, either in the church or in parachurch
settings. Each four years of employment or Christian service
experience will be viewed as equivalent to one year (30 semester
units) of undergraduate study, and 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.
Certificate program 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 experience and of Christian service
experience may be fulfilled concurrently, but both categories
must be fulfilled.
The applicant must take the GRE General Test and obtain scores
at or above the 50th percentile in the verbal and analytical
sections. Request that the Educational Testing Service send GRE
test results directly to Westminster Seminary California (school
code 4980).
The applicant must meet general requirements for application
submission. Because a certificate student's admissions
constitutes an exception to normal admissions criteria for the
sake of the church's testimony to an individual's gifts and
service, 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.
The applicant should submit two concise yet thorough essays as
part of the application package:
- Describing type and duration of Christian service/ministry
experience, including dates, ministry activities (including
theological study and teaching), oversight, evaluation received,
and lessons learned.
- A concise yet thorough narrative essay
describing type and duration of employment experience, including
dates, responsibilities, evaluation received, and lessons
learned, must be submitted as part of the application package.
The applicant may be required to submit a research paper for
evaluation by the Admissions Committee. |
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