Additional Requirements
Additional Requirements
Master of Divinity (Pre-Ordination)
For applicants who intend to pursue ordination, the Admissions Office is required to obtain an appropriate form of ecclesiastical endorsement. For those in dioceses of the Episcopal Church, this normally means that the applicant is a postulant for holy orders. Where the process toward postulancy is incomplete at the time of application for admission, a letter from the bishop of the diocese, indicating that the applicant is known to him/her, that the canonical process has begun, and, most important,
that the bishop concurs with the applicant's desire to proceed toward admission to the Seminary, is generally be received by the Seminary as an appropriate endorsement. Applicants (seeking ordination) from dioceses of the Episcopal Church are urged to be in contact with their bishop and their Commission on Ministry before applying to the Seminary. Applicants from other churches who intend to pursue ordination are asked to provide the Seminary with a form of ecclesiastical endorsement that, in the judgment of the Admissions Committee, is analogous to the requirement for Episcopal students.
Master of Arts
Applicants who desire admission to the Master of Arts Program are asked to provide, in addition to the required autobiography, a statement 2 to 3 pages in length responding to each of the following: A) What, if any, area of concentration do you anticipate pursuing and why? B) What specific educational, vocational and personal purposes do you have for pursuing the M.A. degree, and how are these goals best served by GTS's M.A. program? Your response should answer these questions: 1) If interested in pursuing further academic work, what benefits do you believe this program will provide? 2) If your goals are vocational, how will this degree be beneficial? 3) What are your areas of personal interest, and how does the GTS curriculum meet them? 4) If you seek to enhance a lay or diaconal ministry, what is this work and how will study at GTS benefit it?
Master of Sacred Theology
Applicants for admission to the S.T.M. program must possess B.A. and M.Div. degrees or the equivalent. The S.T.M. application deadline is February 15. Applicants for the S.T.M. should include among their recommendations two from former instructors who can speak to the applicant's ability to pursue graduate-level work. Applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions about their proposed field of study: 1) What will be your major field of concentration in this program? 2) If you have in mind a possible area for a thesis, please state it. 3) My first language is.... 4) Classical languages I read include... 5) Include a statement of purpose that answers the following question: What vocational and academic aims lead you to apply for advanced study in theology?
Diploma in Anglican Studies
Applicants seeking ordination must have their bishop's approval for study at General prior to beginning their studies.
Certificate in Spiritual Direction / Master of Arts with a concentration in Spiritual Direction / Master of Sacred Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Direction
In the autobiographical statement, please focus on why you feel called to the study of spirituality, and how you anticipate using this formation in your life of faith and ministry. Letters of recommendation for applicants who are members of the clergy should include one from the applicant's bishop or equivalent ecclesiastical authority. Applicants for the S.T.M. in Spiritual Direction should include two recommendations from former instructors who can speak to the applicant's ability to pursue graduate-level work. Personal interviews normally include an interview with the Director of the Center for Christian Spirituality. Students pursuing studies in the Summer or January terms may arrange for telephone interviews when distance precludes an interview at GTS.
Doctor of Theology (Th.D.)
Candidates for admission to the Th.D. program must possess a B.A. and M.Div. or M.A. degrees or the equivalent. The Th.D. application deadline is February 15. Graduate Record Examination scores are required of all ThD applicants.