How to Apply - Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
Source: https://www.garrett.edu/admissions/apply
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:16
How to Apply - Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
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How to Apply
Begin the spiritual journey to understand and fulfill your calling to ministry
We are so glad that you are ready to start the application process at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary! Applications are received and scholarships awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year and no application fee required.
Domestic applicants can enter Garrett degree programs during the Fall, January, Spring, and Summer terms.
International applicants can begin their studies during the Fall semester only. This is to ensure that international students have a smooth experience navigating the I-20 process and orientation checklist.
If you are an applicant with general questions about our application process, please email the Office of Admissions at:
getadmitted@garrett.edu
.
START YOUR APPLICATION
Degree Application Requirements
A completed application to any of our master’s programs or our Doctor of Ministry degree, will include the following:
A submitted online application form
.
Supplemental items:
Statement of Purpose (see prompts below)
Resume
Three letters of recommendation, including one church/religious reference and one academic reference. (
MTS students must have two academic references)
.
Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended.
A bachelor’s degree is required for all master’s programs at Garrett.
Please note: all supplemental items should be uploaded in .pdf form.
International applicants will need to submit an official
TOEFL score
or
Duolingo English Test score
for evaluation by our review committee.
The TOEFL or Duolingo exam requirement may be waived if you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English was the instructional language.
Doctor of Ministry applicants must meet the additional requirements:
Applicants must have earned a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or other theological degree
Applicants must have at least three years of full-time ministry experience following the awarding of that degree
Applicants must be serving in a ministry setting during their DMin program, as shown by a submitted ministry site letter (form is available in the application).
Applicants must also submit a professional/academic writing sample of no more than 20 pages.
APPLY NOW
A completed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) application will include:
A submitted application form
.
Supplemental items:
Three letters of recommendation, including two faculty references.
Pastoral Theology applicants must have a fourth reference from a CPE supervisor.
Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. A previous theological master’s degree is required for admission to the PhD program.
Research Statement: One page single-spaced.
Resume/CV
Recent academic paper (no more than 20 pages) that represents your analytic skills related to your field of study.
International Ph.D. applicants must show English language proficiency through either the
TOEFL exam
or
Duolingo’s online English exam
. (Note: Duolingo allows for the exam to be taken remotely for applicants who do not have access to a TOEFL testing site. Please note the fee differences when comparing exams.)
The TOEFL or Duolingo exam requirement may be waived if you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English was the instructional language.
Please note: All supplemental documents should be submitted in .pdf format.
APPLY NOW
Below are instructions and prompts that will inform the written components of your application. Please follow these instructions when working on your written responses.
Statement of Purpose (Master’s applicants)
Who do you understand yourself to be – your unique strengths, passions, identities – and how would you describe your calling/vocation?
What motivates and inspires you? What problems in the church and/or world trouble you?
How do you hope theological education in general, and Garrett in particular, might equip you to fulfill your sense of vocation?
If you are an MTS student, please include an additional page outlining your research interests and area of concentration to be pursued.
Essays should be two to four pages, typed and double-spaced, in length. Essays should be personally reflective and original in nature (with citations in referencing work that is not your own). All essays will be evaluated based on content, style, grammar, and organization.
Statement of Purpose (Doctor of Ministry applicants)
Why are you applying for this DMin track?
How will it enhance your personal practice of ministry, and how will it enhance the practice of ministry within your ministry context?
How will your ministry context help set an example for the overall mission and ministry of the church?
What specific research interests do you have that you hope to pursue within this track?
What learning objectives do you have, I.e., what specific lessons do you hope to learn, and specific skills do you hope to master?
Why do you want to pursue this degree at Garrett?
Research Statement (Doctor of Philosophy applicants)
What is one central research question you hope to explore in this program?
How does your research question intersect with particular Garrett faculty members’ research as well as Garrett’s institutional resources and/or ethos? In your response, identify the academic field or fields and theoretical approaches through which you want to engage this project.
How do you envision your research benefiting the academy and/or church or other institutions and service agencies?
Your research statement should be one page single-spaced.
Application Deadlines
Masters Degrees
Final Deadline for Fall 2026 Enrollment
July 15, 2026
Early Action application (Fall only)
November 15, 2025
Spring 2026 Enrollment
December 15, 2025
Plus Scholarship application
February 1, 2026
International Student application (for F-1 students)
February 1, 2026
Doctor of Ministry
Leadership for Social Transformation
June 1, 2026 (for cohort beginning August 2026)
Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations
June 1, 2026 (For cohort beginning August 2026)
Spiritual Direction
TBD
Doctor of Philosophy
Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture* Concentration
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2026, only applications for the Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture concentration will be accepted
Theology and Ethics
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2027, only applications for the Theology and Ethics concentration will be accepted
Christian Education and Congregational Studies
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2028, only applications for the Christian Education and Congregational Studies concentration will be accepted
Certificates and Non-Degree Programs
Certificates
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Basic Graduate Theological Studies
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Non-Degree Enrichment Courses
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Auditing a Course
Application due at least 4 weeks before the course begins
Certificates and Non-Degree Application Requirements
Applications for certificates are accepted on a rolling basis, and must include the following:
A completed bachelor’s degree
A completed online application form
Resume
Transcripts from all previous undergraduate/graduate coursework
APPLY NOW
Applications for the Basic Graduate Theological Studies program are accepted on a rolling basis and must include the following:
Transcripts from all other schools attended
3 References
Personal Statement
APPLY NOW
If you are looking to take non-degree courses at Garrett, even if you are still discerning whether theological education is the right next step for you, filling out an Enrichment Application and the Bachelor’s Verification Form is your next step. As an Enrichment student, you can take up to five courses for your own personal exploration or professional enrichment.
Enrichment Application Form
Bachelor’s Verification Form
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE
Auditing a Course as an Garrett-Evangelical Alum
As a service to our alums, we have a simplified process in place for graduates to return to audit courses for continuing education or personal enrichment. Alums should complete the online
Alum Auditor Request Form
and we will then confirm availability with the course instructor and set up the registration.
Auditing a Course as a Non-Garrett-Evangelical Alum
Auditors do not receive academic credit for the course, but can receive 1 CEU per credit hour. Non-Garrett-Evangelical alums who wish to audit a course will need to fill out the following forms:
Audit Application Form
Bachelor’s Verification Form
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary does not discriminate, or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification prohibited by law in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, employment, housing, services, or in its educational programs or activities.
Additional Resources
Affording Your Education
FINANCIAL AID
Schedule a Tour
CAMPUS VISIT
Housing Opportunities
VIEW HOUSING
myGETS
The Garrett Collective
Events
Give
Apply
How to Apply
Begin the spiritual journey to understand and fulfill your calling to ministry
We are so glad that you are ready to start the application process at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary! Applications are received and scholarships awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year and no application fee required.
Domestic applicants can enter Garrett degree programs during the Fall, January, Spring, and Summer terms.
International applicants can begin their studies during the Fall semester only. This is to ensure that international students have a smooth experience navigating the I-20 process and orientation checklist.
If you are an applicant with general questions about our application process, please email the Office of Admissions at:
getadmitted@garrett.edu
.
START YOUR APPLICATION
Degree Application Requirements
A completed application to any of our master’s programs or our Doctor of Ministry degree, will include the following:
A submitted online application form
.
Supplemental items:
Statement of Purpose (see prompts below)
Resume
Three letters of recommendation, including one church/religious reference and one academic reference. (
MTS students must have two academic references)
.
Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended.
A bachelor’s degree is required for all master’s programs at Garrett.
Please note: all supplemental items should be uploaded in .pdf form.
International applicants will need to submit an official
TOEFL score
or
Duolingo English Test score
for evaluation by our review committee.
The TOEFL or Duolingo exam requirement may be waived if you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English was the instructional language.
Doctor of Ministry applicants must meet the additional requirements:
Applicants must have earned a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree or other theological degree
Applicants must have at least three years of full-time ministry experience following the awarding of that degree
Applicants must be serving in a ministry setting during their DMin program, as shown by a submitted ministry site letter (form is available in the application).
Applicants must also submit a professional/academic writing sample of no more than 20 pages.
APPLY NOW
A completed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) application will include:
A submitted application form
.
Supplemental items:
Three letters of recommendation, including two faculty references.
Pastoral Theology applicants must have a fourth reference from a CPE supervisor.
Official transcripts from each college or university you have attended. A previous theological master’s degree is required for admission to the PhD program.
Research Statement: One page single-spaced.
Resume/CV
Recent academic paper (no more than 20 pages) that represents your analytic skills related to your field of study.
International Ph.D. applicants must show English language proficiency through either the
TOEFL exam
or
Duolingo’s online English exam
. (Note: Duolingo allows for the exam to be taken remotely for applicants who do not have access to a TOEFL testing site. Please note the fee differences when comparing exams.)
The TOEFL or Duolingo exam requirement may be waived if you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English was the instructional language.
Please note: All supplemental documents should be submitted in .pdf format.
APPLY NOW
Below are instructions and prompts that will inform the written components of your application. Please follow these instructions when working on your written responses.
Statement of Purpose (Master’s applicants)
Who do you understand yourself to be – your unique strengths, passions, identities – and how would you describe your calling/vocation?
What motivates and inspires you? What problems in the church and/or world trouble you?
How do you hope theological education in general, and Garrett in particular, might equip you to fulfill your sense of vocation?
If you are an MTS student, please include an additional page outlining your research interests and area of concentration to be pursued.
Essays should be two to four pages, typed and double-spaced, in length. Essays should be personally reflective and original in nature (with citations in referencing work that is not your own). All essays will be evaluated based on content, style, grammar, and organization.
Statement of Purpose (Doctor of Ministry applicants)
Why are you applying for this DMin track?
How will it enhance your personal practice of ministry, and how will it enhance the practice of ministry within your ministry context?
How will your ministry context help set an example for the overall mission and ministry of the church?
What specific research interests do you have that you hope to pursue within this track?
What learning objectives do you have, I.e., what specific lessons do you hope to learn, and specific skills do you hope to master?
Why do you want to pursue this degree at Garrett?
Research Statement (Doctor of Philosophy applicants)
What is one central research question you hope to explore in this program?
How does your research question intersect with particular Garrett faculty members’ research as well as Garrett’s institutional resources and/or ethos? In your response, identify the academic field or fields and theoretical approaches through which you want to engage this project.
How do you envision your research benefiting the academy and/or church or other institutions and service agencies?
Your research statement should be one page single-spaced.
Application Deadlines
Masters Degrees
Final Deadline for Fall 2026 Enrollment
July 15, 2026
Early Action application (Fall only)
November 15, 2025
Spring 2026 Enrollment
December 15, 2025
Plus Scholarship application
February 1, 2026
International Student application (for F-1 students)
February 1, 2026
Doctor of Ministry
Leadership for Social Transformation
June 1, 2026 (for cohort beginning August 2026)
Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations
June 1, 2026 (For cohort beginning August 2026)
Spiritual Direction
TBD
Doctor of Philosophy
Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture* Concentration
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2026, only applications for the Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture concentration will be accepted
Theology and Ethics
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2027, only applications for the Theology and Ethics concentration will be accepted
Christian Education and Congregational Studies
Applications open July 1st and are due on January 10th of each year.
*For 2028, only applications for the Christian Education and Congregational Studies concentration will be accepted
Certificates and Non-Degree Programs
Certificates
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Basic Graduate Theological Studies
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Non-Degree Enrichment Courses
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Auditing a Course
Application due at least 4 weeks before the course begins
Certificates and Non-Degree Application Requirements
Applications for certificates are accepted on a rolling basis, and must include the following:
A completed bachelor’s degree
A completed online application form
Resume
Transcripts from all previous undergraduate/graduate coursework
APPLY NOW
Applications for the Basic Graduate Theological Studies program are accepted on a rolling basis and must include the following:
Transcripts from all other schools attended
3 References
Personal Statement
APPLY NOW
If you are looking to take non-degree courses at Garrett, even if you are still discerning whether theological education is the right next step for you, filling out an Enrichment Application and the Bachelor’s Verification Form is your next step. As an Enrichment student, you can take up to five courses for your own personal exploration or professional enrichment.
Enrichment Application Form
Bachelor’s Verification Form
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE
Auditing a Course as an Garrett-Evangelical Alum
As a service to our alums, we have a simplified process in place for graduates to return to audit courses for continuing education or personal enrichment. Alums should complete the online
Alum Auditor Request Form
and we will then confirm availability with the course instructor and set up the registration.
Auditing a Course as a Non-Garrett-Evangelical Alum
Auditors do not receive academic credit for the course, but can receive 1 CEU per credit hour. Non-Garrett-Evangelical alums who wish to audit a course will need to fill out the following forms:
Audit Application Form
Bachelor’s Verification Form
VIEW COURSE SCHEDULE
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary does not discriminate, or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification prohibited by law in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, employment, housing, services, or in its educational programs or activities.
Additional Resources
Affording Your Education
FINANCIAL AID
Schedule a Tour
CAMPUS VISIT
Housing Opportunities
VIEW HOUSING