M.Div./MATS Application Process
Admission/Scholarship Deadlines
*October 1 - Spring General Admission and Tier One Scholarship Deadline
January 15 - Fall Tier One Scholarship Deadline
**March 1 - Fall General Admission Deadline
Applicant's Checklist
All items on this checklist must be received by the application deadline. Further instruction is given on the online application.
- Completed online application
- Personal Faith and Vocation Essay**
- Academic Recommendation (to be completed by a college- or graduate-level instructor)
- Character Recommendation (to be completed by a pastor, church member, campus minister, mentor or employer who can speak to your Christian character and calling to ministry; cannot be a family member)
- Church Endorsement (to be completed by your senior pastor or church elder; cannot be a family member).
- Admission Interview:
Each applicant is responsible for scheduling an interview prior to the application deadline. It is recommended that your interview be completed on campus, but if this is not possible, interviews conducted by Zoom are acceptable. Schedule your interview through the application portal. - Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate institutions previously attended. Please see the application portal for instructions about how to send the transcripts.
- $35 non-refundable fee (may be paid by credit card when submitting online application). The fee is waived for graduates of Samford University and students who come to a Preview Day or an official campus visit.
**Students applying for a tier one scholarship must also write an essay on the Apostles’ Creed and submit it by the scholarship deadline.
International Students
The application process for international students is unique and can seem complicated. It is our hope that this page will reduce this stress by taking you step by step through the process.
Preliminary Evaluations
Prospective international students must complete and submit the following evaluations to the Beeson Divinity School Office of Admission before beginning the standard application process for admission.
- World Educational Service (Official course-by-course transcript of academic work sent through World Educational Services)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Any applicant whose native language is not English must also submit a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 80 (Internet-based) on the TOEFL. Students should arrange to take the TOEFL by visiting www.toefl.org or by writing to Educational Testing Service at P.O. Box 955, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Once the above material is completed, an international prospect may begin the standard application process by clicking on the "Apply Now" button below. Following an admission decision, the applicant will need to complete the Affidavit of Financial Support, including an official bank statement. The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) requires proof of funds totaling approximately $30,000 (minus any scholarship assistance) in order for an I-20 to be processed, therefore it is recommended that funding is secured before the completion of the application process. Please contact Jennifer Beck if you have any questions.
A note regarding student visas: The United States Information Agency's insurance regulations for J visa holders require international students and their dependents to have and maintain health insurance during residency in the United States. Proof of coverage is required before registering for classes. The law mandates that Samford University must deny student status to international students who do not continue to comply. Information about specific carriers, minimum coverages, and premium costs is available from Samford University Health Services.