
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, an accreditor for graduate theological education. Accreditation addresses the institution's educational operations and approved degree programs; it is not a promise of employment, ordination, or acceptance of credits elsewhere.
Students should distinguish institutional accreditation from professional approval for a particular occupation. A denomination determines its own ordination requirements, and another school decides whether to accept transferred coursework. Applicants whose plans depend on either outcome should obtain confirmation from the receiving body before enrolling.
Austin Seminary admits applicants to graduate theological programs, so its admissions process differs from a freshman college application. A completed bachelor's degree and academic records are the starting point for applicants to master's-level study; doctoral applicants must meet additional degree and professional-experience expectations.
Program applications may call for written statements, references, and information about an applicant's educational and vocational goals. Requirements can differ between the Master of Divinity, theological studies, and Doctor of Ministry programs. Applicants should follow the current instructions for their chosen degree, including transcript, deadline, and English-language proficiency rules where applicable, rather than assuming that SAT or ACT requirements used by undergraduate colleges apply here.
Applicants should check the current Austin Seminary application for the charge, if any, attached to their particular graduate program. An undergraduate application-fee figure is not a reliable guide to this graduate-only institution's admissions process.
If cost is a barrier, ask the admissions office about a fee waiver before submitting the application or making a payment. An application charge, when assessed, is separate from a later enrollment deposit, tuition, and other student fees; a waiver for one charge should not be assumed to cover another.
ROTC is not a standard feature of Austin Seminary's graduate theological programs. Applicants should not assume that the seminary operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit, or that proximity to another Austin institution creates cross-enrollment eligibility.
Someone pursuing both theological study and a military commission would need to confirm eligibility directly with the relevant ROTC program and Austin Seminary before making plans. ROTC participation can involve separate academic, fitness, scholarship, and service-obligation rules.
At Austin Seminary, "transfer" generally means asking whether prior graduate theological coursework can count toward a seminary degree - not transferring into an undergraduate major. Admission to a program and acceptance of particular credits are separate decisions.
An applicant with previous seminary work should provide official transcripts and request a course-by-course review for the intended degree. Relevant questions include whether the earlier institution was accredited, how closely its courses match Austin Seminary requirements, how recently they were completed, and how much of the degree must be earned at Austin Seminary. Get the credit determination in writing before relying on it to shorten a program.
International study at a theological seminary is more likely to take the form of an approved short-term course or ministry-related learning experience than a conventional undergraduate semester abroad. Applicants interested in overseas study should check the current course schedule for actual offerings rather than assume a trip or exchange will be available during their enrollment.
Before committing to a program, students need to establish how it satisfies degree requirements, what academic approval is required, and whether financial aid can be used. Travel expenses, visas, insurance, and accessibility needs can change the practical cost substantially.
Open admission policy
NoDual credit
YesCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
NoStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.