Admissions

 

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Applications for admission to Covenant Mission Seminary’s academic programs are evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s academic preparation and potential for successful completion of program requirements.

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CMS accepts applications year-round. To apply for study in any of the academic programs of the seminary, the applicant must ordinarily present the following:

 

1.  A completed general application form. Download and complete the application and email it to the Office of Admissions.

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2. Two recommendations: an ecclesiastical recommendation from the pastor or consistory (i.e., session or council) of the church of which the applicant is a member, and an academic recommendation from a high school teacher (for BA applicant) and college professor (for MA or MDiv applicant) under whose guidance the applicant has pursued studies. The specific questions to be answered by the referent are supplied in the application. In certain circumstances (for MA or MDiv applicant), an academic essay may be submitted in place of the Academic Reference if a suitable person cannot be found to complete the form. The essay must be typed, 1,500–2,000 words in length (excluding footnotes), on a topic of the applicant’s choosing. The essay must be well written with a clear thesis, and must interact with at least three published sources (not including Internet sources). Applicants are advised to follow the academic format style found in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th Edition) (Chicago University Press, 2018).

 

3. Official transcripts of all academic work. Applicants who seek to apply for the BA Theology must submit a high school diploma, and official transcript from secondary schools attended. Degree-seeking applicants (for the MA and MDiv) should have a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. If more than one college was attended, transcripts from each institution must be provided. If the bachelor’s degree program has not been completed at the time of application, a final transcript should be submitted before final admission can be granted and the student be allowed to register for classes. Applicants should have achieved a minimum average of 2.0 (C) in college coursework. Applicants for the ThM, in addition to submitting transcripts reflecting a four-year bachelor’s degree, must supply transcripts reflecting the MA or MDiv degree, or its equivalent.

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4. Application essay(s). All applicants must submit a short essay (250–500 words) explaining why they are applying to CMS. MDiv applicants must also submit an essay describing their conversion and their calling to pursue the ministry. The specific details for these two essays can be found on the general application form.

 

5. Academic writing sample. ThM applicants must submit an academic writing sample (3,500–4,000 words in length, excluding footnotes). This sample may be a previously written paper, article, or essay that demonstrates proper citation methods and the ability to construct, in English, a graduate-level paper.

 

6. Sufficient evidence of English language proficiency evidenced by a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

 

7. Application Fee of $5. The application fee is non-refundable.

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Applications for admission are not considered unless ALL required components are received.        

   

Each applicant:

•  is subject to all the admission and registration regulations of the institution;

•  is responsible for determining whether a current institution will accept credit earned at CMS if desired;

• must understand that falsification of any part of an application may result in cancellation of admission and/or registration at the institution;

• If transferring from another seminary, must include with the application form an official transcript of their current seminary work, syllabi of courses requesting to be transferred, and an academic catalog from that institution.

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The seminary may also make one or more of the following requests of the applicant before granting admission:

•  To take a trial course via independent study or distance learning; 

•  To meet with a representative of the seminary for a personal interview, or to conduct an online interview;

•  To provide a physician’s health certificate.

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All applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee of CMS and are subject to their approval. After reviewing the credentials submitted, the seminary will notify the applicant of the committee’s decision. The seminary admits students of any race, age, and national or ethnic origin.

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Enrollment Deposit

All accepted students must confirm their desire to begin studies at CMS with a $50 deposit to be paid by July 1 for the fall semester start and November 1 for the spring semester start, or four weeks (for national students)/sixty days (for international students) after receipt of acceptance letter (whatever is the later date). This deposit will be used towards the tuition of the student’s first course. Furthermore, accepted applications are valid for a maximum of 6 months; after this point, a prospective student must re-apply.

International Students

Cambodian immigration laws do not allow foreign citizens with a student visa (ES status), to have paid employment while living in Cambodia. The only legal employment for international students is work done at CMS; at times, opportunities for on-campus work arise, but applicants should not rely on this to cover all personal expenses while studying at the seminary. All international students must maintain full-time status in a degree program in order to maintain their ES status.

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Orientation

At the beginning of each semester, an orientation for all students is given; attendance is mandatory. The purpose of the orientation is to review the school regulations, especially for on-campus students, and introduce new students to the seminary facilities and policies, including the resources of the library.