Basic Degrees Application

Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.)

M.Div./M.A.C.E. Dual Degree (Dual)

APPLICATION Online, complete the online application. Or, via paper, print out  Application for Admission.

REFERENCES You need three people to provide a written recommendation for you. These three references need to be non-family. One should be a pastor or church educator, and one should be a professor or someone knowledgeable regarding your academic ability. Online, enter the contact information into the application form; your references will be emailed and instructed how to proceed. Or, via paper, print out three Personal Evaluation Forms, complete the top section, and send a form to each of your references.

TRANSCRIPTS Transcripts of all academic work beyond high school, whether or not a degree was conferred, are required. Request sealed transcripts to be sent directly from the institution and mailed to our Admissions Office. An official sealed transcript may be forwarded to us unopened.

• M.DIV./DUAL APPLICANTS ONLY Submit a Letter of Acknowledgment signed by the person, committee, or other entity responsible for the process of ordaining ministers in your denomination.
• INTERNATIONAL M.A.C.E. APPLICANTS ONLY Obtain a letter from a denominational official indicating endorsement of their studies in the U.S. 

BACKGROUND CHECK A background check is required of all applicants who are:

• U.S. citizens
• Resident aliens
• International applicants who have lived in the US for more than two years

The background check consists of two parts:

1. Applicants should download A Personal Disclosure Statement, disclose any information that may be found by the legal background check, sign the form, and mail it to the Director of Admissions at the address given.
2. Go to www.certifiedbackground.com, click on "students," in the Package Code box, enter "ua37," select a method of payment for the $36.00, and complete the questions.

Presbyterian Church (USA) students need only complete the background check once. All PC(USA) seminaries can share. Your application file is not complete until the Personal Disclosure Statement and the results of the background check have been received at Union Presbyterian Seminary.

APPLICATION FEE The $65.00 application fee may be paid by credit card when you are ready to submit the completed online application. Or via paper, mail a check or money order with your completed paper application

International students should also visit the International Applicants page to learn about additional requirements.

SUBMIT Press the submit button on the online application. Or, via paper, mail the application and all supporting documents to Union Presbyterian Seminary, Office of Admissions, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227.

Advanced Degrees Application

Master of Theology Deadline to Apply: February 15
Doctor of Philosophy Deadline to Apply: January 15

APPLICATION Download, print, and fill out the appropriate PDF application form:

Th.M. Application

Ph.D. Application

REFERENCES You need three academic references. Print out and send a Recommendation Form to each reference. Complete the top section and forward the form to your references.
TRANSCRIPTS Transcripts of all academic work beyond high school, whether or not a degree was conferred, are required. Request sealed transcripts to be sent directly from the institution and mailed to our Admissions Office. An official sealed transcript may be forwarded to us unopened.
ADDITIONAL PH.D. REQUIREMENTS

A statement of your primary goals and preliminary research interests.

A research paper or recent essay representative of your work in the proposed field of study.

An essay, up to 1200 words, discussing authors and ideas influential to your work.

Official scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within the last five years.

BACKGROUND CHECK

APPLICATION FEE The $65.00 application fee may be paid by check or money order with your completed application

SUBMIT Mail application and all supporting documents to Union Presbyterian Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227.

Checklist Reminders

Even if you are applying using the online application, you may need to print out additional forms, fill them out by hand, and mail them.

If you are mailing the paper application form, don't forget to include the application fee with your application form.

To download our PDF forms you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader Plug In.

For help or information email or call Admissions Specialist, Amanda Montague, amontague@upsem.edu or 804.278.4339.