New York Theological Seminary

Admissions

New York Theological Seminary is a professional graduate school whose primary mission is the preparation of men and women for Christian ministries. Students are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or orientation, and represent a broad range of denominations and traditions.

All candidates for degrees or certificates are expected (1) to be able to articulate an understanding of their own particular call to ministry, with the understanding that this is interpreted differently across the range of traditions represented within the Seminary; and (2) to belong to a particular community of faith which has in some manner recognized or affirmed that calling. Demonstration of both of these requirements is incorporated into the admissions process. Further requirements for each of its degrees and certificate are listed elsewhere in this catalogue in the relevant program description sections.

The Seminary has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are reviewed and interviews with prospective students are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the year. Once they are admitted, students may register and begin attending classes in the next available semester. Interested candidates should know that the required courses in biblical studies and foundations of ministry are offered sequentially in fall and spring semesters, and are thus encouraged to complete their applications in time to begin the fall semester. Financial aid is initially awarded during the month of April in order to assist students with their financial planning for the year.

Registration

Registration takes place several times a year before the beginning of each semester as posted in the annual Seminary calendar: the last week of April for summer courses, the first week of September following Labor day for fall and winterim, and the second week of January for the spring semester. New students are encouraged to register the first day of the registration period, and returning students on following days. There are regularly scheduled add/drop days and students may change their registration at such time without penalty. It is also possible to make arrangements to register early if circumstances warrant. There is a late registration fee assessed for those who fail to register on or before the regularly scheduled time. All new and continuously enrolled students can expect to receive further information by regular mail from the Registrar's office prior to each registration period.

The registration procedure includes: a) approval by the appropriate faculty advisor; and b) payment or arrangements. Payment may be made by check, cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner’s Club, or Discover, or by arrangements with the Seminary’s tuition payment plan. A limited amount of financial aid is available from the Seminary, with separate application required. The Seminary participates in SLM (a Sallie Mae subsidiary) and JERI Career Education Loan programs; and also is approved for federal student loan deferments. Students are strongly urged to seek scholarship support through other outside agencies, including their own local church or denomination.

All audit and unclassified students must pay in full at registration. Deferred payment plans are available only to students enrolled in an academic program for a degree or certificate.

No student will be permitted to register for a new semester with an outstanding balance due.

Students are required to notify NYTS of any courses taken at another institution, other than those with whom the Seminary has formal cross-registration agreements. Students taking courses at other institutions are responsible for having grades and evaluations sent to the NYTS Registrar at the end of each semester. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in no credit being given for such course(s).