Application Procedures
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the online application and to review the online checklist by the deadlines indicated for each degree program for full consideration. Applicants opting to complete a paper application 
[PDF 444KB] to Candler School of Theology must provide the following in order to be considered for admissions:
- Application Form. Review this form carefully and complete every item.
- Application Fee. A non-refundable $50 application fee is required of all applicants. Make a check or money order payable to Emory University. When submitting a personal check or money order, please print the applicant’s name in the note section. International applicants must provide a check or money order drawn on a banking institution in the United States.
- Resume. Submit a well-organized resume that provides a brief account or summary of your educational background, job experience, vocational aspirations, leadership goals and accomplishments, professional affiliations, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, skills, personal qualities, and interests and hobbies.
- Autobiographical Statement. You must write a three-to-four page reflective essay. This required essay is a critical part of the application. Please consider your response carefully, tending to content, style, grammar, and organization.
- Plan of Study Statement. Master of Theological Studies and Master of Theology applicants should provide a concise statement indicating their topic of study and the special interests they propose to study.
- Academic Writing Sample. Applicants seeking a degree must submit a sample of academic writing. The academic paper is typically four to seven pages in length and provides sufficient evidence of writing skills, the ability to engage texts, and the ability to form clear arguments or theses. Applicants who have been out of college for more than five years and cannot provide a recent academic writing sample are required to complete an alternate writing assignment provided by the Admissions Committee. Click the link above for further instructions or email candleradmissions@emory.edu for further instructions.
- Official Transcripts. Official transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, graduate schools, and seminaries must be submitted, regardless of when you attended, how many hours were earned, and whether a degree was granted. Official transcripts should be sent directly from these institutions or delivered in a sealed and signed envelope.
- Letters of Recommendation. Three letters of recommendation are required from persons who are not family members. Please note the different categories of recommendations required for each program.
Master of Divinity (MDiv) Applicants:
(a) Pastoral recommendation provided by a pastor, campus minister, or other clergy person who has known you in a pastoral capacity.
(b) Two additional recommendations provided by either college or graduate school professors who have had you in a class or by work or volunteer supervisors or persons who have known you for three or more years.
(c) In addition, Anglican students who wish to participate in the Episcopal Studies Program must submit a letter from their bishop stating that they are postulants or requesting their participation in the program.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Applicants:
Three letters of recommendation provided by college or graduate school professors who have had you in a class or by work or volunteer supervisors or persons who have known you for three or more years. Applicants are strongly urged to secure at least one academic recommendation as part of the MTS application.
Master of Theology (ThM) Applicants:
(a) Three letters of recommendation provided by college or graduate school professors who have had you in a class or by work or volunteer supervisors or persons who have known you for three or more years.
(b) Those serving as pastors should also request a letter of support from an ecclesial supervisor (bishop, district superintendent, or denominational executive).
Doctor of Theology (ThD) Applicants:
(a) One academic reference provided by a graduate school professor. (If you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic reference, submit an additional professional reference.)
(b) Ecclesial or pastoral reference provided by a denominational executive or pastor.
(c) Professional reference provided by a work supervisor or by a layperson who has known you for three or more years. - ThD Applicants only: Clinical Pastoral Education assessment (usually not less than four consecutive units) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Note: No other programs require the GRE.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Persons whose first language is not English must provide TOEFL scores regardless of any U.S. school attended, degrees earned, or length of time in the U.S. Scores should be at least 600 (Paper Based Total), 250 (Computer Based Total), or 95 (Internet Based Total) with a minimum score of 21 or higher in each of the four sub-areas.
- Letter of Good Standing. All transfer students must submit a letter of good standing from the institution from which they hope to transfer.
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