Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary between programs, but all require at least a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited college or university*. Candler requires an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and recommends a well-balanced program of work in the liberal arts. Other strong candidates, including those who have been out of college for a number of years, are encouraged to apply. All completed applications, regardless of the GPA of the applicant, will be fully reviewed by the admissions committee.
Master of Divinity
Admission to the MDiv degree program requires a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited college or university; a well-balanced program of work in the liberal arts; and, an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Other strong candidates, including those who have been out of college for a number of years, are encouraged to apply. All completed applications, regardless of the GPA of the applicant, will be fully reviewed by the admissions committee.
Master of Theological Studies
Admission to the MTS program requires a bachelor of arts, a bachelor or science, or an equivalent degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. For students with other graduate or professional training, the admissions procedure emphasizes the transcript (undergraduate or graduate) most appropriate to course work at Candler.
Master of Theology
Admission to the ThM program requires a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or an equivalent degree, and a master of divinity from a theology school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (or an equivalent accrediting body outside the United States and Canada).
Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling
Admission to the ThD degree program requires an MDiv degree with a superior academic record from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (or an equivalent accrediting body outside the United States and Canada); a sense of pastoral identity, preferably in pastoral ministry or grounded in a significant history of service in the church; and significant clinical pastoral education experience (usually not less than four consecutive units), although provisional admission may be granted prior to completion of this requirement. Since this program is a joint program of three schools through the Atlanta Theological Association, a student may seek admission through any of the three. Students enroll and pay tuition through the school to which they were admitted.
Special Students
Admission as a special student requires a bachelor of arts, bachelor or science, or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited college or university; a well-balanced program in the liberal arts; and a grade point average of 2.50 or better out of 4.0.
Joint Degree Admission Requirements
Joint Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration
Admission to the joint Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration degree program requires all applicants apply to Candler and Emory’s Goizueta Business School separately, and if accepted to both schools, can enroll in the joint degree program. Admission to the MDiv degree program follows the same requirements as noted above. The Goizueta Business School requires that all applicants take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
Joint Master of Divinity and Juris Doctor and Master of Theological Studies and Juris Doctor
Applicants to the joint degree programs in law and religion must apply separately to each school and be admitted by each school. Prospective students must also apply separately for scholarships and financial aid in each school. Once matriculated at Emory, joint degree candidates in law and religion take one full year of study in one school, then one full year of study in the other school. From the third year forward, candidates take a mixture of courses in both schools each semester. Included among the electives available are a dozen law and religion courses, which joint degree candidates can take for credit in either school. Specific requirements for Prospective Joint Degree Candidates in Law and Religion should be reviewed thoroughly.
*The following accreditors of colleges and universities are accepted by Candler School of Theology: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Higher Education), New England Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Institutions of Higher Education or Commission on Technical and Career Institutions), North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Commissions on Colleges), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities).