Shepherds Theological Seminary

What is the accreditation of Shepherds Theological Seminary?

Shepherds Theological Seminary's institutional accreditor is the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). ATS accreditation concerns the seminary as a graduate theological institution; it is not a separate professional license or a guarantee that another school will accept its credits.

Accreditation indicates that an institution has undergone review against the accreditor's standards. Students considering federal aid should also verify the seminary's current eligibility for the particular aid program they intend to use: accreditation by itself does not establish an individual student's eligibility. Likewise, a denomination, employer, or receiving university may set its own requirements for ordination, employment, or transfer credit.

What are the admission requirements at Shepherds Theological Seminary?

Admission to Shepherds Theological Seminary is a graduate-school process, so applicants should begin with the requirements for their intended degree rather than undergraduate freshman criteria. A completed bachelor's degree and college transcripts are the usual starting points for graduate theological study; advanced degrees may impose additional academic or ministry-experience requirements.

The seminary does not have an open-admission policy. Applicants should use its current program-specific application instructions to determine which statements, references, church or ministry information, and English-language proficiency materials apply to them. SAT and ACT scores are undergraduate admissions measures and should not be assumed to govern seminary admission. International applicants should also check any separate documentation and visa-related deadlines before applying.

What are the application fees and waivers at Shepherds Theological Seminary?

Applicants should check Shepherds Theological Seminary's current application form for the fee attached to their particular program and application route before submitting it. An application fee is a processing charge; it is distinct from tuition, course fees, or any deposit due after admission.

Anyone seeking a waiver should ask the admissions office whether one applies to their circumstances before paying, since a waiver granted in advance may not operate as a refund. Applicants to different degree levels should not assume their charges are identical.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Shepherds Theological Seminary?

Shepherds Theological Seminary should not be treated as an on-campus Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC host. ROTC is generally designed around approved undergraduate enrollment and officer-commissioning pathways, which differ from graduate seminary study.

A student considering both theological education and military service should ask the relevant ROTC detachment or military recruiter whether their enrollment plan is eligible. Participation at another institution would require an actual approved arrangement; proximity to universities with ROTC units does not establish cross-enrollment rights. Military chaplaincy candidates should separately investigate their service branch's chaplain-accession and endorsement requirements.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Shepherds Theological Seminary?

For Shepherds Theological Seminary applicants, "transfer" generally means asking the seminary to apply previous graduate coursework toward a particular degree. Admission to the seminary and acceptance of individual courses for credit are separate decisions.

Students with prior seminary study should submit official transcripts and request an evaluation against their intended program's requirements. Course level, subject matter, credit hours, prior institution, and any limit on transfer credits can affect the result. Before withdrawing from another school, applicants should obtain a written evaluation that identifies which courses satisfy required subjects, which count only as electives, and how many credits must still be completed at Shepherds.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Shepherds Theological Seminary?

Students interested in international study at Shepherds Theological Seminary should distinguish a credit-bearing course from a ministry trip, conference, or independently arranged travel. Those experiences can be valuable, but they do not automatically fulfill degree requirements.

Before committing to travel, a student should ask the academic office whether the specific opportunity carries Shepherds credit, who teaches or approves it, how it fits the degree plan, and what additional travel expenses apply. Students hoping to take a course through another institution should obtain advance approval for any proposed transfer credit.