International Applicants

Princeton Theological Seminary welcomes applications from international students.

Prospective doctoral-level international applicants should follow the guidelines for PhD Studies. International applicants who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree at a university or college in which English is the language of instruction, may request a TOEFL waiver by completing the Waiver Request Form that is accessed directly within the PhD application.

All application materials for masters-level students must be received by the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid by January 15, 2023. Applications and supporting documents received after January 15 will not be considered for the upcoming academic year.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ptsem.edu or by calling 609.497.7805.

TOEFL
Princeton Theological Seminary requires that applicants for whom English is not a primary language take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Such applicants should register for the TOEFL at the earliest opportunity, as scoring and processing take considerable time and the results must be received by January 15. Princeton Theological Seminary's TOEFL code is 2671.

1. If you take the paper-based test: A minimum TOEFL score of 580 is required along with a minimum score of 57–reading, 59–writing, and 58–listening.
2. If you take the computer-based test: A minimum score of 250 is required along with a minimum score of 23–reading, 26–writing, 23–listening and an essay rating of 5.
3. If you take the internet-based test: A minimum total score of 100 is required along with a minimum score of 25 on all four parts–reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Each applicant must present an ecclesiastical endorsement in as specific terms as possible, identifying the areas of leadership to which the scholar will return upon completion of study at Princeton. Both the applicant and the representative of the endorsing church are asked to indicate why the proposed program of study is desired for the applicant's vocational goals.

Other Requirements

1. If you are currently enrolled at an institute of higher education in the United States, you MUST supply the Admissions Committee with full and complete (pages 1 and 3) copies of all your Forms I-20.
2. Applicants for the ThM degree must have attended a secondary school that prepared them for a university education, hold a first university degree (similar to the Bachelor of Arts [BA] or Bachelor of Science [BS] degree in the United States) and have completed the Master of Divinity degree, or a minimum of two years of post-baccalaureate theological education.
3. If a ThM applicant designates a desired major emphasis in either the Biblical Studies Department or in the area of preaching, the academic transcript submitted must show successful studies in both Greek and Hebrew.
4. Applicants for the MA degree in Christian education (with advanced standing) must hold a first university degree (similar to the Bachelor of Arts [BA] or Bachelor of Science [BS] degree in the United States) and also have had a minimum of one additional year of theological study.
5. It is required that all international applicants seek support for travel costs from local, denominational, or ecumenical church bodies.
6. Questions regarding financing should be addressed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
7. Questions regarding the Doctor of Philosophy program should be addressed to the Office of PhD Studies.

Duration of Study

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) – The duration of study is three years (six semesters).
• Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACEF) and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) – The duration of study for both is two years (four semesters). For those who do not qualify for advanced standing, this program is a four-semester program, and such candidates are not eligible to be considered for an International Scholar award
• Master of Theology (ThM) – The duration of study is eight and one-half months (two semesters), early-September through May.

Princeton Theological Seminary welcomes international applicants who are in, or are preparing for, positions of significant responsibility in their churches and denominations.

Annually, a limited number of scholarships are given to ThM, MTS, and MA students with advanced standing (MDiv candidates are not considered for the international scholars program) coming to study at Princeton Seminary from outside the United States. Every international applicant is considered for a merit-based scholarship award.

For more information, visit Financial Resources for International Students.