— Future Students —

Admissions Requirements

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  • Church Affirmation Form: All applicants must receive official endorsement from the local church where they are a member. All applicants are expected to have maintained official church membership for a minimum of one year.
  • Recommendation Forms: We suggest that a minister, a professor, and a business acquaintance each complete one of your recommendation forms. Family members may not complete a recommendation form. Recommenders must have known the applicant for a minimum of one year. If for some reason recommendations do not reflect this kind of diversity, the Admissions Office may request additional recommendations.  Applicants for Research Doctoral programs should submit recommendations more heavily weighted towards academics, but at least one recommendation must come from a pastor.
  • Pastor/Leader Recommendation Form: This is a requirement for all MATS and MATSIL applicants. The Pastor/Leader Recommendation is submitted in lieu of the normal Church Affirmation Form and three Recommendation Forms.
  • Spiritual Autobiography: The Spiritual Autobiography is a typed 2-3 page essay documenting your conversion, spiritual growth, call to ministry, life and ministry experiences, and reasons for choosing Southern Seminary. MATS applicants must indicate that they understand that the MATS degree is designed for laypersons only and not for those pursuing vocational ministry.
  • Housing Application: All applicants are required to affirm or deny their need for campus housing. Campus housing constraints require us to know of housing needs at the earliest possible date.
  • Academic Paper: This is a requirement for Advanced Master of Divinity and all Research Doctoral applicants. Applicants are required to submit a writing sample from their undergraduate or seminary education, respectively. This requirement allows for proper analysis of an applicant’s writing and research abilities. Please submit an unmarked sample from your previous schooling. It should be a clean copy and may account for former professor’s editorial comments.
  • Official Transcripts: Transcription from all educational institutions is required. Diploma applicants must submit an official copy of their high school diploma or GED, unless the applicant has completed a minimum of 24 hours of college credit. It is best if applicants request for the transcript be sent directly from their school/college to the Southern Seminary Admissions Office.