International Students
International students are welcomed to Candler from around the globe. Each year, 10 percent of our student body are from South Korea, Africa, the United Kingdom and beyond. Our remarkable and world-renowned community for learning and personal growth will challenge you academically while fostering the formation of your ministerial interests.
Students are considered international if they are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
Admission
Candler offers four degrees: the Master of Divinity (MDiv), the Master of Theological Studies (MTS), the Master of Theology (ThM), and the Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counseling (ThD). We also offer joint degrees in collaboration with Emory's Goizueta Business School, the School of Law, and the Rollins School of Public Health, and the Laney Graduate School.
Admission requirements vary by program, 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 reviewed by the admissions committee.
Application Requirements
In addition to the standard application requirements, international students and others for whom English is a second language are required to furnish recent evidence of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to the review of the application by the admissions committee. The minimum score is 600 (Paper-Based Total), or 250 (Computer-Based Test), or 95 (Internet-Based Total) with a minimum score of 21 or higher in each of the four sub-areas. Candler's TOEFL Institution Code is 5455 and the Department Number is 01. Applicants should use this code when requesting TOEFL scores be submitted to Candler. (Note: DO NOT use the Emory University code 5187 when requesting scores to be sent to Candler, as we will not receive those scores at Candler).
If you have earned a degree in the U.S. you may request to have the TOEFL requirement waived. You may email this request to the Candler Admissions Office at candleradmissions@emory.edu. Additionally, if you wish to submit TOEFL scores taken at the point of entry for study in the United States, we will add this information to your file. Please note that the Admissions Committee will not make a decision to waive the TOEFL requirement until your application is complete and able to be fully reviewed for admission.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
All applicants are encouraged to read the instructions listed in the Application Checklist prior to starting and submitting an application. All parts of the application including the autobiographical statement, academic writing sample, transcripts, and letters of recommendation will be considered in the decision-making process.
After reviewing the online checklist and application deadlines (see below), click here to begin an application with Candler School of Theology.
| January 15, 2012 |
Priority Filing for Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Final Deadline for |
| February 1, 2012 | Priority Filing for Master of Theological Studies (MTS) |
| February 15, 2012 | Final Deadline for Master of Theology (ThM) |
| May 1, 2012 | Final Deadline for Special Student (Non-Degree) Summer Admission |
| July 1, 2012 | Final Deadline for Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and Special Student (Non-Degree) for Fall Admission |
| November 1, 2012 | Final Deadline for Special Student (Non-Degree) Spring Admission |
Financial Aid
A limited number of scholarships are available for students who are citizens of countries outside the United States. Scholarships range from one-third to full-tuition. Review is based on materials submitted for admission to the degree program; although, some MDiv scholarships require a separate scholarship application.
- Cost of Attendance
- Master of Divinity Scholarships
- Master of Theological Studies Scholarships
- Master of Theology Scholarships
- Doctor of Theology Scholarships
Financial Certificate and Visa Information
Upon admission and before the visa process can begin, international students must complete the Emory University Financial Certificate and provide documentation of sufficient funds for the first year of study (including tuition, fees, book, health insurance, travel, and living expenses). Documentation can include scholarships, personal or family savings, or sponsorships. Additional documentation is required for spouses and/or children who plan to accompany the student on dependent visas (for more information see our Financial Certificate/Visa Information page).This information is not required to be submitted with the application for admission.
The 2012-2013 Financial Certificate will be available in April 2012. Financial documentation must be approved by Candler's Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid and by the University's International Student and Scholars Services Office no later than July 1 in order for the I-10 to be processed in time for Fall admission. Completed Financial Certificates and supporting documentation should be mailed to Candler School of Theology's Office of Admission and Financial Aid, Attn: Mary Lou Greenwood Boice, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Housing
While Candler does not provide students with housing, we have a variety of resources to help you find adequate living accommodations while you are at Candler and a resident of Atlanta.
Health Insurance
The cost of quality medical care in the United States is very expensive. Without medical insurance the cost of treatment for an illness or an injury resulting from an accident can be devastating. Indeed, receiving treatment is difficult if you do not have health insurance.
Medical insurance is mandatory for all students at Emory University. Students must either purchase the Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan OR provide documentation of enrollment in a comparable United States domiciled health insurance plan.
If you do not waive out of the Emory plan by the deadline on OPUS, you will be automatically enrolled in the Emory plan. The charge will be placed on your student account, and you will be billed for this expense.
Please be aware that the Emory plan meets, and in most cases exceeds, the required coverage minimums. For more information about the plan, visit the Student Health Services website at www.emory.edu/UHS.
Resources
Emory University's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) offers a variety of support, services, and activities for all of Emory's international students. For more information, visit the ISSS website.
In addition, Candler offers many resources for International Students who enroll.
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The International Student Integration and Cross Cultural Communication Workshop, which is required for new international students prior to Candler's all-student Orientation, offers international students a chance to get acquainted with one another and with the Candler community.
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English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) assessment and courses provide language support for students for whom English is not the primary language. ESOL writing tutors are available for individual assistance for course papers and projects. Volunteer Conversation Partners help students develop skills in spoken English.
- Candler and Emory also support a number of international student organizations, including the Candler International Student Association and the Emory Korean Graduate School Association.