Requirements for Applying for Master of Divinity

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or the documented, educational equivalent of the baccalaureate degree from courses taken at an accredited institution.
• Completion of the Admissions Application Form
• A resume or CV
• A personal essay (see the admissions application form for specific details).
• Official transcripts from all your post-secondary academic work, mailed directly from the transcript offices of your schools to the Meadville Lombard Admissions Office
• Four (4) letters of reference from: 
  - A Unitarian Universalist minister or a minister from your denomination, who knows of your work in the church
  - An academic reference from a professor who knows your academic abilities
  - A lay person who knows of your work in the church or the community
  - Another person of your choice (not related to you)
• A $45.00 non-refundable application fee.

An admissions interview is not required; however, an applicant or a member of the Admissions Committee may request one. 

Meadville Lombard Theological School uses a rolling admissions model. All applications are reviewed in chronological order according to the date they were completed.

The deadline for submitting a compete application is June 1.

Individuals who submit an application after June 1 may be considered for entrance in the following academic year, although they may begin taking courses immediately after matriculating into a degree program.

Individuals who plan to apply for federal and institutional financial aid are strongly encouraged to submit a complete admissions application by March 15 of the same year in which they are applying to enter. Please go to Financial Aid page for more information.

Requirements for Applying for Master of Arts in Leadership Studies

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada; or the documented, educational equivalent of the baccalaureate degree from courses taken at an accredited institution
• Completion of the Admissions Application Form
• A resume or CV 
• A personal essay of up to 6 pages. (See admission application for details.)
• Official transcripts of all your post-secondary academic work, mailed directly from the transcript offices of your schools to the Meadville Lombard Admissions Office
• Four (4) letters of reference sent to the school from: 
  - An academic reference from a current or previous professor who can assess your ability to do graduate level work  
  - A letter from a professional, preferably an ordained, minister, or other church leader who knows your work
  - Two (2) persons of your choice who can assess your skills, capabilities, and character (not related to you)
• A non-refundable application fee of $45.00 must accompany the application An on-campus interview is not required, however an applicant or a member of the admissions committee may request one. 

For the MALS degree program, Meadville Lombard Theological School utilizes a rolling admissions model. All applications are reviewed in chronological order according to the date they were completed and applicants are notified of their acceptance status within two to four weeks of the completion of the application.

Requirements for Applying for Master of Arts

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada; or the documented, educational equivalent of the baccalaureate degree from courses taken at an accredited institution
• Completion of the Admissions Application Form
• A resume or CV 
• A personal essay of up to 6 pages. (See admission application for details.)
• Official transcripts of all your post-secondary academic work, mailed directly from the transcript offices of your schools to the Meadville Lombard Admissions Office
• Four (4) letters of reference sent to the school from: 
  - An academic reference from a current or previous professor who can assess your ability to do graduate level work 
  - A letter from a professional, preferably an ordained, minister, or other church leader who knows your work
  - Two (2) persons of your choice who can assess your skills, capabilities, and character (not related to you)
• A non-refundable application fee of $45.00 must accompany the application

An on-campus interview is not required; however, an applicant or a member of the admissions committee may request one. 

For the MARS degree program, Meadville Lombard Theological School utilizes a rolling admissions model. All applications are reviewed in chronological order according to the date they were completed and applicants are notified of their acceptance status within two to four weeks of the completion of the application.

We are currently not accepting applications to the Doctor of Ministry degree program. Our faculty is reviewing the program and making recommendations for a new program in the coming year. Please stay tuned for more information.

The Doctor of Ministry Program is designed for the religious professional with a Master of Divinity degree (or its equivalent as evaluated by the D. Min. Admissions Committee) and professional ministerial experience.

Requirements for Applying for Doctor of Ministry

• The Doctor of Ministry Application Form.
• Official transcripts for the M. Div. degree and other post-graduate work.
• A personal essay not to exceed 2,000 words addressing your influences, your academic and professional objective, and a detailed description of your proposed area of study (see the application form for details).
• Four letters of recommendation from:
  - A professor with whom you studied,
  - A person in leadership at your place of ministry,
  - A professional colleague, and
  - A person of your choosing.
• A non-refundable fee of $55.00.

DMin applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Prospective students must submit their completed application and supporting documentation at least one month prior to the close of either the summer or January intensive registration periods in order to receive the DMin tuition rate.

Click here to apply for student at large status, required for all students taking courses at Meadville Lombard, but who are not enrolled in a degree program.

Meadville Lombard Theological School celebrates the distinctive contributions international students offer to the Meadville Lombard community and welcome your application to our programs.

International students applying to master’s level programs are eligible to receive Merit-Based Scholarships, provided the standard requirements are met. (See Scholarships and Aid)

Transcripts written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

In addition to the general admissions application materials (as defined within each degree program application), international students who are non-native English speakers may be  required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination score. Scores must be at or above 550 paper, 217 computer, or 81 on the internet-based exams. The exam must be completed no more than two years prior to application. The TOEFL requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed another degree, in English, in the United States. Contact the Senior Director of Student Services if this applies to you.

I-20 forms are not issued until after an international student is admitted. If admitted, the admissions letter packet will include the Meadville Lombard Theological School International Student I-20 Application and an estimate of the cost of attendance for the appropriate degree program. The form will explain the financial documentation requirements for the issuance of the I-20 by the seminary.

For more information regarding application as an international student, please contact Eliza Bivins-Fink, Director of Student Records at ebivins@meadville.edu or 312.212.0672