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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 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
with respect to examination, academic course work, ministry and
employment experience.
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.
The applicant must also have life experience in employment and
in Christian service, either in the church or in parachurch
organizations. Each 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, 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. 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 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 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,
evaluation received, lessons learned.
Because a Special Students 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.
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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