Apply now to one of Northeastern Seminary’s Masters or Certificate programs.
How Do I Apply?
Discernment Happens In Community.
Looking for support? Have questions? We are here to help. If you are wondering what your next steps are to becoming a seminary student you can book a meeting with our Admissions team!
Ready to dive deep into Christian belief and ministry? Begin your application to one of Northeastern Seminary’s master’s degree programs.
Masters & Certificate Steps to Apply
Step 1: Free online application
Step 2: Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required from any person who can attest to your readiness for seminary education (no family members). Examples include ministry/church contacts, mentors, or past faculty. Recommendations will be generated and emailed to your recommenders through the online application.
Request official transcripts from every college or university where you earned a degree (bachelor, master, or doctoral degree) or any program you hope to use for transfer credits. Have them emailed to admissions@nes.edu or mailed to the address below.
Northeastern Seminary
Admissions
2265 Westside Drive
Rochester, NY 14624-1997
If you do not already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, you must also complete these additional steps to be considered for admission.
Step 4: Autobiographical Statement
Review the autobiographical statement guidelines and submit your paper to admissions@nes.edu.
Doctor of Ministry Steps to Apply
Step 1: Free online application
Begin your online application to Northeastern Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry degree program.
Step 2: Letter of Recommendation
Recommendations must be filled out by three different people (none of whom are family members):
- 2 ministry/ecclesial
- 1 congregational/character
Recommendations will be generated and emailed to your recommenders through the online application. You may also download a paper copy if you require it.
Request official transcripts from every college or university where you have received a degree. In addition, please send transcripts from any institution where you earned 30 or more credits (with no degree) or any master or doctoral program that you hope to use for graduate or post-graduate transfer credits.
We recommend having institutions email transcripts to Northeastern Seminary (admissions@nes.edu), or they can email them to Roberts Wesleyan College if the seminary is not listed as a school option.
If you plan to have them mailed, below is the address:
Northeastern Seminary
Admissions
2265 Westside Drive
Rochester, NY 14624-1997
Step 4: Theological Paper and Application Essay
Review the graduate theological paper and application essay guidelines as you prepare to write and submit the final components of your application.
The resume should outline your scope of work and specifically highlight your involvement in various forms of ministry. Submit resume to admissions@nes.edu.
Once the admissions office has received all the components of your completed application, your file will be submitted to the faculty admissions committee for review. Typically, your application will be reviewed in two weeks. You will be notified once you are accepted into Northeastern Seminary.
Fall Semester
Priority Admissions: May 15
Accepting Applications until August 15
Spring Semester
Priority Admissions: November 1
Accepting Applications until December 15
Summer Semester
Priority Admissions: April 15
Accepting Applications until May 15
Masters & Certificate Requirements
Students applying to one of Northeastern Seminary's Masters or Certificate programs must meet the following admissions qualifications to be eligible.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Students are NOT required to have prior formal education in Theology and/or Bible. The majority of students start seminary without formal degrees in Ministry, Theology, or Bible.
In certain cases, a student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and within six credits of completing the baccalaureate degree may be accepted as a provisional regular student. The student must complete the baccalaureate degree within one semester of starting seminary since this classification is temporary and cannot be renewed.
In addition to the standard application, students applying for the Certificate in Spiritual Direction must complete the following four things before enrolling:
- At least 18 graduate credits in theological studies from an Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accredited seminary
- Submit an essay describing your personal experience providing spiritual guidance to others
- Provide a reference letter from a person who has benefited from the applicant’s spiritual guidance
- Complete an interview with a faculty member during the application process.
Doctor of Ministry Requirements
Educational Experience
Earned Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited seminary or theological program (minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher). Applicants with a non-seminary Master's or Doctoral degree may have as few as six classes to complete before beginning the D.Min. program. View the Doctor of Ministry Program page to learn more.
Ministry Experience
Applicants should have (at minimum) the equivalent of three years of full-time ministry experience. If an applicant has had significant years of lay leadership, part-time time ministry work, or bi-vocational ministry assignments, they may fulfill the ministry experience requirement. We understand ministry experience to include both traditional roles of pastoral work and chaplaincy as well as functions of church and non-profit administration, teaching & preaching, as well as counseling. As an admissions committee reviews your background, it will be evaluated how a Doctor of Ministry will positively impact and benefit your roles and ministry function.
If you have questions about whether your ministry experience satisfies the requirement, you may email your resume to admission@nes.edu for a ministry experience assessment. An evaluation can be made to determine if your experience satisfies the ministry requirement.