As a newly accepted student, this is your starting point for the steps you’ll want to take before classes start and before the end of your first semester.
Complete by 1st Semester
Set Up Your DTS Account
When you were accepted, you should receive an email within 3 business days granting you access to your @dallasseminary.edu email. If you have not received an email about your new account within 3 business days, please contact the DTS IT Team at: helpdesk@dts.edu or 214-887-5230.
Setup Your @dallasseminary.edu Account
Important Websites to Bookmark
- www.dts.edu – our main school website.
- students.dts.edu – this website which has information about what’s happening at our locations.
- portal.dts.edu – where you login for registration, applying for scholarships, paying your bill, finding important dates, and more
- online.dts.edu – where you go for your classes, course materials, videos, assignments, etc.
- library.dts.edu – search books at DTS libraries or online
- DTS Writing Center – find the DTS Writing template, workshop events, and other academic resources.
- DTS Technology – find information about wifi and online requirements here
- Logos Bible Software – See the tab below labeled “Get Ready for Logos Bible Software.”
We’re excited for you to take your first classes! Most master’s students will need to register for introductory courses like BE5101 and ST5101 in their first semester.
Reach out to your Admissions Counselor for input on your first semester classes. After your first semester, your Academic Advisor will walk you through the remainder of your degree program.
Below are some tools to help you plan your first semester:
- Registration Instructions – step by step instructions for adding, dropping, and adjusting your schedule.
- DTS Course Schedule – shows all available classes and lets you filter by your local campus
- Degree Plan Examples – examples of how to complete your degree part-time or full-time
- Transfer and Advanced Standing – information on how to test out of courses before you begin
- Time Management Calculator – a tool to help you plan out your time in a typical semester
- Important Dates – find out important dates like registration dates and payment deadlines
Registration Deadlines for Masters and PhD Students
- April 1 – Summer Courses
- July 1 – Fall Courses
- November 1 – Spring and Winter Courses
If you are accepted after these dates, you have a 2-week window to register for courses without incurring a late fee or other delays.
If you need any help selecting a course, contact your Admissions Counselor. If you need help registering, please contact: registrar@dts.edu or 214-887-5350.
DTS donors make more than $5 million in scholarship dollars available every year which helps ensure that very few students need to take out student loans.
Apply for Needs-based Scholarships
US Students
The requirements for need-based scholarships for US students are:
- Be in one of the following degree programs:
ThM, MABC, MACP, MAJS, MAAE, MACE, MACL, MAIS, MAMW, MABEL, MACS, MA, DMin, EdD, DEdMin, or PhD. - Maintain a minimum GPA of at least 2.5
- Employment preferred
- Dallas and Online students need to take 9+ hours, Houston and Washington, DC students need to take 6+ hours
The deadlines for need-based scholarships for new US students are:
- May 1 for Fall courses
- November 1 for Spring courses
Additional Resources
International Students
If you are an international student studying in the US on a visa, you will need to prove funding for your first year of studies in the United States as part of the visa process. Once you have started taking classes in the United States, you may then apply for scholarships for your second year of studies. More information will be communicated to you during the visa process.
This is a required 6-week course designed to help first year master’s level students reflect upon their current reality and develop a plan to meet potential challenges, both inside and outside the classroom, in order to complete their studies at DTS.
This course is best done prior to enrolling in classes or during the student’s first semester. This course is free to enroll in but all assignments are required for completion credit.
Professors want to get to know you and having a photo in their course roster makes that connection stronger. You will find instruction on how to upload a picture in the Student Portal that appears on the Course Roster and in Canvas that will display for assignment submissions.
New DTS students taking a course for credit will be given access to the Logos Bible Study Platform after the semester payment deadline (note: Postgraduate Certificate students can purchase an Essentials or Language package).
After the payment deadline, DTS will work with Logos to create an account for you. Once the account is ready, you will receive an email notification from Logos Academic. In most cases, your new Logos account will be associated with the personal email you have on file with DTS.
If you have questions, contact Chris McMaster at cmcmaster@dts.edu.
Imagine a tool that can help deepen your understanding of God’s Word, streamline your research, and even create instant citations for your papers. That tool is the Logos Bible Study platform!
We are excited to offer a series of free training sessions to equip DTS students with the skills to master this incredible resource. Explore the opportunities below and sign up soon to save your spot!
Opportunities for Getting Started with Logos:
Logos QuickStart: How to Access Your New Logos Account (30 min)
Online, Monday, 8/17 @ 9:00-9:30 a.m. Central (Register Here)
Online, Thursday, 8/20 @ 3:30-4:00 p.m. Central (Register Here)
Top 5 Ways DTS Students Use Logos (45 min)
Online, Monday, 8/17 @ 9:45-10:30 a.m. Central (Register Here)
Online, Thursday, 8/20 @ 4:15-5:00 p.m. Central (Register Here)
Logos Part 1: Essential Tips for Getting Started (105 min)
Online or DTS- Dallas, Friday, 8/21 @ 1:30-3:15 p.m. Central (Register Here)
Opportunities to Go Deeper:
Logos Part 2: Better Papers and Deeper Bible Study (150 min)
Online or DTS-Dallas, Friday, 8/21 @ 3:30-5:30 p.m. Central (Register Here)
Logos is an incredible tool, and the opportunities above will help you get a great start to the new semester. Make sure you sign up soon!
Fall 2026: DTS New Student Orientation
Registration: Fill out the form here
Dates: Choose one session (same content both days)
- Friday, 8/21, 12:00-1:30 p.m. CST
- Saturday, 8/22, 10:00-11:30 a.m. CST
Congratulations, and welcome to DTS!
You’re beginning one of the most exciting seasons of your life. Our Online Department and Regional Teams are here to help you deepen your relationship with the Lord, grow in your ability to serve and share His love, and start your online seminary journey well.
Please register using the form above. A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to you before the event.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Your Online Student Engagement Team and DTS Regional Teams
Dr. Jason Wiesepape, jwiesepape@dts.edu
Dr. Heather Severding, hseverding@dts.edu
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT
Location: Burke Community Church, Burke, VA
9900 Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA 22015, United States
Map and Directions
Registration: Register here
DTS-DC welcomes our new students to the Fall 2026 semester! Join us to hear from faculty, staff, and current students about their seminary experience, and get practical tips on how to start strong.
Topics will include:
- DTS-DC Events
- Library Resources
- Advising Advice
- Counseling Services
- Student Life Resources
- Spiritual Formation
- DTS-DC Housing Network
Lunch will be served, and guests are welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow students who will be your companions on this seminary journey. Our Director of Advising, Sarah Bowler, will also be sharing an encouraging message.
Please bring your laptop, as we will provide training on using DTS resources. An optional Logos training will follow from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fall 2026 DTS Houston Student Orientation
Below are the links to this semester’s newsletter:
Event Information
Join us for DTS Houston’s New and Current Student Orientation, where we’ll provide key strategies and insights to help you begin and continue your seminary journey well.
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- New Students: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (New students are encouraged to stay for Logos Part 1 Training from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.)
- Current Students: 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Arrive early for breakfast at 9:30 a.m.; Logos Training Part 2 begins at 10:00 a.m.)
This event includes breakfast snacks, a catered lunch, worship, and a raffle giveaway.
Seminary Readiness Workshops
Designed to help you succeed in your courses:
- Writing workshops with Raleigh Clay, DTS Dallas Writing Center
- Intro to DTS Turabian Writing Style, 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
- How to Write a Doctrinal Synthesis Paper (Theology/ST classes)
- Logos training with software rep Chris McMaster
- Logos Part 2: Better Papers and Deeper Bible Study, 10:00 a.m.
- Logos Part 1: Essential Tips for Getting Started, 12:30 p.m.
- SF Leader Training, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This event is also a great opportunity to receive important campus details, connect with fellow students, and meet our faculty and staff.
Please register by filling out the form above. Registration closes at 12:00 p.m. on August 21, 2026.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Register Your Vehicle (Dallas Commuter Students, Faculty/Staff Only)
If you live in Swindoll Tower or Washington Hall, contact the housing office at housing@dts.edu for your parking pass.
Please only register for one decal per vehicle. When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details, such as your name and email address, unless you provide them yourself. Pick up your parking decal at the Student Life reception desk after you receive a confirmation email. If you have questions, contact Student Life at studentlife@dts.edu.
Please register: 2026/2027 DTS Parking Pass Registration for Dallas Campus
– Fill out form
*If you are a Swindoll or Washington resident, please pick up your decal at the housing office. Thank you!
Register for a Student ID Card
Student ID’s are on hold as we work on processing and rebranding student ID’s with the new DTS logo. Once we are processing student I.D.’s again, we will notify all students. We apologize for the delay.
Sign-up for Text-Alerts and Right Now Media
Omnilert is the DTS Alerts System that sends out SMS messages related to campus closings, emergencies, events and deadlines.
Right Now Media
All students at Dallas Theological Seminary receive a free membership to RightNow Media. RightNow Media has over 15,000 Bible study videos from over 250 top Christian publishers and ministries. RightNow Media has studies for small groups, families, students, leadership development, and much more.
To sign up for your free account, go to https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/DTS (Links to an external site.)
OR you can just text RIGHTNOW DTS (not case sensitive) to 41411 and a link will be sent
Complete by End of 1st Semester
The Test of Biblical and Theological Knowledge (TBTK) is taken by all incoming students and by all graduating students. The purpose of this assessment is for the faculty to get a sense of the overall biblical and theological knowledge of an incoming or graduating class. The seminary does not look at an individual student’s score on this assessment, only the overall average of the incoming or graduating class.
This test is a closed Bible, closed book assessment that is to be taken by yourself without any help. The test is not to be copied, imaged, photographed, or otherwise reproduced.
This test is 150 questions, 75 Bible and 75 Theology. There is a time limit of 75 minutes which starts once you proceed. This gives you an average of 30 seconds per question.
All new students will receive a Canvas course invitation link through their @dalllasseminary email before the start of their first semester. Please accept the TBTK course invitation and take the test before the end of your first semester.
DTS is committed to maintaining an environment conductive to learning for all students and a professional workplace for its employees. As such we take active measures against discriminatory harassment and sexual harassment, including any type of violence or misconduct.
Our entire policy can be read here, you can also download it here – Fall 2019 Final Title IX Abuse & Discrimination brochure 2019.pdf
DTS and Ministry Safe have partnered to offer Child Protection Training. This proactive education seeks to equip current students and DTS alumni with a clear understanding of child sexual abuse, sexual abusers, effective preventative protocols, a compassionate model of care addressing the needs of abuse survivors, and an appropriate response to abuse allegations arising in church and ministry environments.
To register, go to https://safetysystem.ministrysafe.com/register/dts
You will be asked some basic info to get you registered on the Ministry Safe training site:
Under Employee/Volunteer, select “volunteer”
Under Type of Training, select “Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (2018)”
Once you complete the Ministry Safe training (which will take you about an hour to complete), there is a brief quiz on the Ministry Safe training website. After you complete this quiz with a passing score, you will receive a certificate on the Ministry Safe training website.
Your final step is to upload this certificate and email it to studentlife@dts.edu.
Note: If you have previously completed Ministry Safe at your church or your place of service, you can simply upload a copy of your certificate from your previous training and send it to the above email address.
