Admission Categories
Persons who wish to study at Northeastern Seminary will apply for admission in one of the following categories:
Regular: The student presents a strong admissions file (recommendations, writing sample), holds an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale and is pursuing a graduate degree in the Seminary.
Provisional: In certain cases, and as space permits, a student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and within six (6) semester hours of completing the baccalaureate degree may be accepted as a provisional regular student. The student must complete the baccalaureate degree within one semester of starting at the Seminary, since this classification is temporary and cannot be renewed. If the student fails to complete the baccalaureate degree within the first semester of enrollment, the student may be eligible to continue as a non-baccalaureate student if space permits.
Probational: A student who otherwise qualifies for regular admission but whose academic credentials or writing sample are not strong may be admitted on probation. To have the probationary status removed, a student must equal or exceed a 2.70 in their first semester at the Seminary. A probationary status may not be extended beyond one semester. Failure to equal or exceed a 2.70 will result in termination as a matriculated student.
Non-Baccalaureate: Students who do not hold baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited colleges or universities may be admitted to pursue a Certificate, M.A. or M.Div. degree. Applicants who do not possess an earned Bachelor's degree have several ways they can pursue enrollment in any of the eligible Master's programs. In the majority of cases, applicants for this status must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate exceptional merit and academic readiness for graduate-level education
- Have significant ministerial leadership
- Ideally (but not required): 30 years of age or older and have already completed 60 credits at an undergraduate level of study or its educational equivalent
Individuals seeking enrollment through this Non-Baccalaureate category must complete all of the standard admission steps including an additional writing requirement. Applicants will need to demonstrate academic writing through one of the following options:
- Submit a writing sample of 2,000-2,500 words on a theological topic that has been mutually agreed upon by the applicant and the office of admissions.
- Submit a paper from past academic work on any subject matter. The paper should be 2,000-2,500 words and should demonstrate the student's ability to critically engage in the topic presented.
Papers should be submitted in a written research format. The writing sample should include reference to outside sources which are cited in the bibliography. Students may use a past paper as their writing sample. The submitted writing sample will be a critical part of the admissions process to demonstrate a student's readiness for graduate-level work.
If a student no longer has a past paper to submit, they may be encouraged to take a Seminary class (audit or for-credit) as a visiting student to help develop and create a paper for submission. A student does not need to be accepted as a student to audit or take a Seminary class for-credit. Once the Seminary class is complete, a student can use a paper from the class to submit as part of the admissions file.
If a student does not have 60 credits of undergraduate work completed or academically under performed in their past academic work, they may be eligible for admission following the successful completion of four Seminary classes as a non-matriculated visiting student. If a student takes four, three credit Seminary-level classes at Northeastern (not Field Education) and receives a B or higher in all classes, they will not be penalized in the admissions process for lack of 60 credits or for their poor past academic background. They will be required to complete the standard admissions steps along with a writing sample from one of their four classes following completion of the four classes. None of the four classes are eligible for federal financial aid and enrollment is dependent upon space. If a student is accepted into Northeastern Seminary following the four classes, all classes will be transferable into any of the Master’s or Certificate programs.
It is important to note that to be eligible for federal loans, a student must be admitted and matriculated into a program and needs at least 72 completed undergraduate credits. A student does not need 72 credits as part of an admissions requirement under the Non-Baccalaureate admissions designation.
Visiting: A visiting student at Northeastern Seminary is any non-matriculated student taking courses who has not been formally accepted into any of the Seminary's programs. This may include Doctor of Ministry students taking courses at the master’s level. Matriculated students at institutions with cross-registration agreements (Schools in the Rochester Consortium of Theological Schools) are not considered visiting students at Northeastern Seminary. In order to serve this population and maintain the academic standards of the Seminary, students are limited to 12 credit hours of coursework as visiting students. After 12 credit hours, students must be formally admitted and matriculate into a program to continue taking courses. Seminary scholarships are not available to non-matriculated students.
Cross-Registered: A person who met the admission requirements and is still enrolled at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School, St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, or United Theological Seminary will, under the terms of the cross-registration program, be considered as admitted to Northeastern Seminary for enrollment.
Audit: A person who qualifies for regular admission may audit one or more courses at the rate of $150 per course. (Note: Auditing is limited in some courses and available at the discretion of the dean's office and the instructors.)