International Applicants

Union Presbyterian Seminary seeks international students who plan to serve the global church.

Basic Degrees Applications

STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Documented endorsement of their denomination or other church agency.
  • English Language Proficiency: International students who do not speak, write, and read English as their first language are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and/or the Test of Written English (TWE). Those who take the computer-based TOEFL test are not required to submit a separate TWE score.  Minimum scores are TOEFL — 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet) / TWE — 4.0 (paper-based) or Essay rating — 4.0 (internet). International students who have completed four years of bachelor’s-level study or higher in an English-speaking institution may request an exemption from the Director of Admissions. Test information is available from Educational Testing Services at www.ets.org.
  • Financial requirements
  • The international student advisor in the academic dean’s office will assist admitted students in completing visa forms after money has been deposited.
  • Submit all required forms and deposit all required funds by May 1 for each year of study.
  • All international students and their family members living in the U.S. are required to have health insurance through a company approved by Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Advanced Degrees Application

STANDARD ADVANCED APPLICATION PROCESS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

An International Student Certification of Funding form with bank statements showing available funds from each source of assistance and documentation certifying the availability of funds sufficient to cover living expenses during the course of study at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Applicants who are accepted must deposit funds with the seminary by May 1 preceding the fall term.

Living Expenses (2011-2012 estimated costs)

  • $33,740 single student 12-month budget for tuition, books, and living expenses if living on campus.
  • $39,720 married students with no children 12-month budget for tuition, books, and living expenses if living on campus,

Financial Aid

Students who are admitted and qualified for need-based financial aid receive funds to pay up to 75% of tuition. Particularly well-qualified international students may receive aid in the form of merit scholarships. However, international students who accept merit-based scholarships are not eligible for institutional need-based aid.

Financial aid will not cover travel or living expenses.

Checklist Reminders

Questions about the international application process, contact April Swofford via email: aswofford@upsem.edu or telephone: 804.278.4231.
Questions about the application process, contact Amanda Montague via email: amontague@upsem.edu or telephone: 804.278.4339.
UPSem recommends international students not bring family members with them for the first year of study.
International applications are accepted for Richmond campus only. International students cannot apply as a Limited Enrollment applicant.