Prospective Students

Dallas is the main campus approved to enroll F-1 student visa and J-1 exchange students. If you are applying to come on a student F (we are no longer accepting J-1 exchange students), you must study full-time and attend the Dallas or Houston campus. Study at the extension sites of San Antonio, Washington DC, Austin, and Atlanta is strictly prohibited by immigration law. Proof of status must be submitted to the International Student Office.

Those who are in B-1 or B-2 status may not attend school, as this would constitute a violation of their visitor visa status. If you are currently a non-immigrant worker residing in the U.S., you may apply to study at an extension campus only for non-degree or part-time purposes and if your study is incidental to your main purpose (your visa category) for being in the US.

Proof would include at least the following:

photocopy of the identity page and the expiration date page (if different) of your passport;
photocopy of current visa or receipt of status notification or receipt notice from USCIS; and
photocopy of EAD Card (if applicable)
an approval letter from the body responsible for overseeing the main visa activity (e.g. employer) certifying that the visa activity is currently valid, and that non-degree, part-time, and short-term study at DTS would not interfere with the applicant’s main visa purpose for employment.

Application Information

We are so excited to hear of your interest in Dallas Theological Seminary! Below is some information that we feel would be very helpful for you as you begin the process.

Minimum Requirements

Four year bachelor’s degree: Official transcripts translated into English are required from every school at which you completed at least twelve credit hours. Please do not send your only copy of a transcript, as we destroy an applicant’s transcript three months after it is processed. Note: Your transcript must be a paper copy that is sent by your school’s registrar in a sealed envelope. We cannot accept electronic transcripts from international institutions.
TOEFL/IELTS scores: Satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required for consideration of your application. Please make plans to take the TOEFL early in the application process.

Admissions Steps

Phase 1 - Application to DTS and Proof of Funding

APPLY TO DTS – Contact the Admissions Office at internationaladmissions@dts.edu
PROVE FUNDING – Contact International Student Development at internationaloffice@dts.edu

Once all of these documents are submitted, move to Phase 2.

Phase 2 - Immigration Forms and Visa

ISSUANCE OF IMMIGRATION FORMS – Once you have received your immigration forms, you can apply for your visa.
VISA INTERVIEW IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY – Contact your local consulate to set up a visa interview

When your visa is approved, move to Phase 3.

Phase 3 - Housing and Prepare to Move

APPLY FOR HOUSING – Contact the Housing and Relocation Office at housing@dts.edu
SCHEDULE TRAVEL TO DALLAS – Once you have acquired housing and booked your flight to Dallas, you will submit an arrival form with this information on it to International Student Development.

When you have housing and your flight to Dallas booked, you can move to Phase 4.

Phase 4 - Move to Dallas

ATTEND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION – International Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming international students and their spouses. This is typically held the Monday before classes begin during the fall or the spring semester.
SUBMIT FINAL DOCUMENTS – Submit the results of your tuberculosis test and other final documents to International Student Development.
BEGIN CLASSES – You are now ready to begin classes!

Important Dates

	Deadlines: Fall Admission	Deadlines: Spring Admission
International Scholarships Need-Based Scholarships	February 1 March 1	N/A September 1
International Application	April 15	October 1
for Transfer Students	July 1	November 15
Proof of Funding	June 15	November 1
for Transfer Students	July 15	November 15
Visa Obtained for DTS housing	May 15	October 15
F-1 Visas Obtained	June 15	December 1
Transfer Student Paperwork Submitted	August 1	December 1

Immigration Information

For Student Issuance of I-20 Immigration Papers

After you have received preliminary acceptance by the DTS Admissions Department, you will receive an email from International Student Development within 48 hours. The email will include four items to complete in order to be fully accepted. Submit these items to International Student Development:

Student Data Identification Form
Financial Documentation – necessary funds for first 12 months of study
Current Immigration Status – if you are currently in the United States or are applying from overseas

Start Dates

F-1 visa students are required to attend international student orientation (in Dallas) before starting courses. Orientations are held the week before classes start in the fall and spring semesters. Therefore, F-1 visa students may only start in person courses during the fall or spring semesters. We strongly encourage students to plan toward a fall start date based on the rotation of courses on campus and so they finish their degree and can attend commencement in a spring semester.

Degrees

Due to government policies, internships are considered Curricular Practical Training (F-1). Select other visa holders may study incidentally, but have no provision for completing an internship.

If you plan on coming to DTS on a work or religious visa, please contact International Student Development for more information.

Funding Information

Government regulations require 12 months of proven funding. Once an international is accepted, International Student Development will dutifully inform the applicant of the financial documentation required, namely the yearly expenses for 12 months of study at DTS. Expenses reflect first-year initial expenses and vary by size of household, type of visa, and level of program.

2022-2023 International Expenses*

	Single	& Spouse	1 Child	2 Child	3 Child	4 Child	5 Child
Master	$32,484	$41,852	$51,148	$55,765	$62,438	$67,804	$69,915
Doctoral	$32,770	$42,138	$51,434	$56,051	$62,724	$68,090	$70,201

*These figures are based on the minimum 9 credit hours per semester; actual expenses vary depending on your unique circumstances.

Acceptable Proofs of Funding

We will collect all of the following documents submitted and add them up until the student reaches the total required amount as proof of funding.

Financial Aid

Once the student proves the required funding, they will need to provide International Student Development with the following documents:

Student Data Form for Issuance of I-20 Immigration Form (a link to this form will be sent to the student once funding has been proven);
A letter describing your expected sources of funds for the remaining years of your degree program;
A scanned copy of passport for you and each member of your family, as applicable;
If you are married, a copy of your marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, please provide a Certified English copy of your marriage certificate; and
If you will be coming without your spouse and/or children, a letter describing how your family will be provided for during yo

You and your dependents are required to be tested for tuberculosis before starting classes. More information will be provided. Your cost for the required test will be approximately $25-$100 USD per family member.

Final Documentation

Once the student proves the required funding, they will need to provide International Student Development with the following documents:

Student Data Form for Issuance of I-20 Immigration Form (a link to this form will be sent to the student once funding has been proven);
A letter describing your expected sources of funds for the remaining years of your degree program;
A scanned copy of passport for you and each member of your family, as applicable;
If you are married, a copy of your marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, please provide a Certified English copy of your marriage certificate; and
If you will be coming without your spouse and/or children, a letter describing how your family will be provided for during yo

Required Tuberculosis Testing

International students must provide official written medical proof of freedom from tuberculosis, through either a negative skin or blood test (or chest X-ray) that was given inside the United States within the last twelve months. Tuberculosis testing done in countries other than the United States will not be accepted.

If you have written proof of being tested for tuberculosis in the last twelve (12) months, please send a copy of your test results to International Student Development.

If you have not been tested for tuberculosis in the last twelve (12) months, be prepared for you and your dependents to be tested for tuberculosis during the week of orientation (the week before classes start your first semester). More information will be provided with your welcome packet. Your cost for the required test will be approximately $25 – $100 USD per family member. If the initial test comes back positive, then an x-ray must be done, which will cost an additional $80.

If you are interested, you can find out more about tuberculosis at the US Center for Disease Control website.

Important – DTS does recommend all prospective students have adequate immunizations for diphtheria, rubeola/rubella/mumps (MMR), tetanus, and poliomyelitis (see Texas Department of Health’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule).