San Francisco Theological Seminary Admission Requirements and Deadlines

As religious professionals and faith leaders, we are all asking the same question: How do I stay on the pulse of what’s meaningful to my community? The Doctor of Ministry program at SFTS brings together a wide variety of active ministries to learn, explore and envision creative approaches to community growth and spiritual connection.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges:
       -Application fee:  $50
       -Enrollment deposit:  $200  ($350 for international applicants)
• MDiv degree or equivalent (e.g., other master’s degree in a religious subject)
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Active engagement in a recognized, traditionally ordained ministry
• Three years of professional ministry experience after completion of the MDiv
• Two personal statements of approximately 250 to 300 words each
• References:
  -One academic reference (mentor)
  -One clergy reference or a representative of your religious tradition
  -One professional reference familiar with your work or religious life
• Interview with the program director
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary schoolwork. Unofficial transcripts that are no more than three years from order date can be used to determine admittance. However, official transcripts will be required prior to course registration.
• A brief sample of your scholarly writing, demonstrating your ability to present and integrate ideas that is 4-5 pages maximum. This can be all or part of a previously written academic paper or published article. No sermons, please.
• For the Chaplaincy Research Literacy concentration, four units of CPE and/or board certification as a chaplain are a prerequisite.
• See below for International Application Instructions.

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) program is ideal for those seeking broad exposure to a variety of theological disciplines. The MDiv is the foundational degree for ministry and is required for ordination in many Christian traditions. This three-year degree program, if studying full-time, includes elements of spiritual, pastoral, and professional development through our innovative Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and field education programs.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges
      Application fee: $50
      Enrollment deposit:  $200 ($350 for international applicants)
      Background check through Castlebranch: $36 (see application for
      Package Code)
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of higher education.
• Five personal statements of approximately 300 to 500 words each.
• References:
  -Two references (professors or administrators) who can attest to your academic ability. If you have been out of college or graduate school for over five years, or come from a large university where you may be unknown to a professor or administrator, you may substitute two professional colleagues.
  -One church official reference to whom you are not related (pastor, elder, deacon).
  -One reference of your choosing who is familiar with your professional practice or religious life.
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary schoolwork. Unofficial transcripts that are no more than three years from order date can be used to determine admittance. However, official transcripts will be required prior to course registration.
• Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Concentration:
  • Two 300-400 word essays
  • Results from Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) administered, scored, and interpreted by a licensed professional. A testing and evaluation therapist can be found here
  • An interview with Shaw Chaplaincy Institute Director and Program Manager

See below for International Application Instructions.

Candidates for ordination who already hold a master’s degree in religious education or theological studies and who also have a minimum of three years’ experience in church work may earn the MDiv degree in a special 24-credit program, usually completed in one year. 

Admission Requirements:

• Meet all admissions requirements of the regular SFTS MDiv program 
• Are a current candidate for ordination 
• Minimum of three years’ experience in church work 
• Master of Arts in religious education or theological studies of which 15 credits should be in biblical studies, 15 in historical and systematic disciplines, and 18 in social and behavioral disciplines and ministry
• Eligibility is determined on the basis of evaluation of the MA transcripts 

Please submit your transcripts before undertaking the application process by contacting our enrollment department:  kay_thomas@redlands.edu.

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies fosters development of theological understanding as part of educational, professional, and spiritual growth. The MATS is a general academic degree, providing balanced exposure to the theological disciplines while allowing for focus on an area of interest. 

Application Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges
       -Application fee:  $50
       -Enrollment deposit:  $200 ($350 for international applicants)
       -Background check through Castlebranch: $36 (see application
       for Package Code)
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of higher education
• Five personal statements of approximately 300 to 500 words each
• References:
  -Two references (professors or administrators) who can attest to your academic ability. If you have been out of college or graduate school for over five years, or come from a large university where you may be unknown to a professor or administrator, you may substitute two professional colleagues.
  -One reference of your choosing who is familiar with your professional practice or religious life.
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary schoolwork. Unofficial transcripts that are no more than three years from order date can be used to determine admittance. However, official transcripts will be required prior to course registration.
• See below for International Application Instructions.

Students affiliated with the Graduate School of Theology are able to pursue a Ph.D. through the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), the largest consortium of interreligious and interfaith scholarship in the U.S. This advanced academic degree is intended to prepare students for professional careers in teaching, writing, and scholarship, as well as leadership opportunities with religious organizations, social service agencies, foundations, museums, libraries, publishing, and in educational institutions.

If you affiliate with SFTS, you are eligible for Housing on our beautiful Marin Campus.

Helpful Links at The GTU

GTU doctoral studies FAQs
How to apply to the GTU doctoral program

The GTU Master of Arts is an academic degree conferred by the Graduate Theological Union with the recommendation of one of the member schools, such as San Francisco Theological Seminary. The MA program offers you the opportunity to pursue graduate level theological studies apart from preparation for a career in ordained ministry. 

If you affiliate with SFTS, you are eligible for Housing on our beautiful Marin Campus.

Click here for information on GTU deadlines and application requirements

The Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction blends rigorous academic work with time for retreat, worship, celebration, prayer, contemplation of God’s presence in our lives, and focused practice of, and reflection on, the art of spiritual direction.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges:
       $50 application fee
       $200 enrollment deposit ($350 for international applicants)
• References:
  -One academic or professional reference
  -Two references from a spiritual mentor, director, or pastor
• One 2-3 page personal statement (500-750 words)
• Applicants will typically have a BA and some background in spiritual or theological studies. In the absence of sufficient background, applicants should contact the Director for guidance in how they might pursue some preliminary study to prepare for the program.
• Applicants must have been in the care of a spiritual director for at least one year prior to admission, and remain in the care of a spiritual director for the duration of the program.
• Applicants must be committed to some form of spiritual or contemplative practice as the bedrock of their practice of spiritual direction.
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary schoolwork (an in-process transcript showing work to date is acceptable for students without undergraduate degrees)
• See below for international application instructions.

The Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Formation is based in the art of contemplative listening but open to people with a wide range of interests. Traditionally, spiritual directors were simply people perceived to be wise in the ways of spirit and compassionate toward others. We believe that good spiritual direction is rooted in deep and stable spiritual practice. Training in spiritual direction occurs therefore in the context of contemplative retreats. Study, reading, and practice in community provide a rhythm which encourages rootedness in spiritual discipline, even as one trains in the arts of listening, discernment, and basic knowledge of spiritual direction.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges:
       $50 application fee
       $200 enrollment deposit ($350 for international applicants)
• Applicants will typically have at least a BA degree and some background of study in spiritual or theological studies. If this is lacking, contact the Director for guidance in acquiring some knowledge of spiritual traditions before you begin the certificate.
• References:
  -One academic or professional reference
  -Two spiritual mentor/director/pastor references
• One 2-3 page personal statement (500-750 words)
• Because spiritual direction depends on the director’s own spiritual grounding, applicants should have at least six months of regular spiritual/contemplative practice. Participants should indicate a regular habit of contemplative prayer or other appropriate spiritual practice and participation in some form of community.
• Applicants must have been in the care of a spiritual director for at least one year prior to admission, and remain in the care of a spiritual director for the duration of the program.
• See below for international application instructions

The Certificate in Trauma & Spiritual Care provides working professionals in both clinical and pastoral settings with the skills to incorporate spirituality into the healing counsel they provide to trauma victims. This program highlights the spiritual understandings of trauma and healing, giving caregivers a more comprehensive set of skills to help trauma victims recover from their experiences.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges:
       $50 application fee
       $200 enrollment deposit ($350 for international applicants)
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited school of higher learning, a professional state license, or equivalent work experience
• Some undergraduate studies in general psychology or sociology, as well as theology, spirituality, or religious studies are desirable.
• A personal statement of approximately 400-500 words
• See below for international application instructions.

The Certificate in Theological Studies (C.T.S.) fosters development of theological understanding as part of educational, professional, and spiritual growth. This four-course certificate program provides a balanced exposure to the disciplines of church history, biblical studies, and systematic theology. It is ideal for those looking to enrich personal or professional development through theological education.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed application
• Non-refundable charges:
    $50 application fee
    $200 enrollment deposit ($350 for international applicants)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school of higher education
• One personal statement of approximately 300-500 words
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary school work
• International student admissions criteria if applicable (see below)
• Transfer of credit is dependent upon successful admission to a degree program

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) students develop caring competency and experience unique contexts in local and international communities to inspire resiliency and restore well-being.

Admission Requirements:

This program welcomes seminarians, as well as interfaith community pastors, religious, and lay professional who have full-time serving or caring positions. Applicants must be current students at a theological institution or involved and in good standing as a spiritual leader of a faith community or institution in which pastoral care is provided or anticipated. More information regarding admissions requirements can be found here.