International Student Admissions
Carter Clawson
International Admissions Counselor
internationaladmissions@dts.edu
214-887-5045
The Department of Homeland Security has an excellent website offering a general overview of how the F-1 visa process works. We recommend all potential students to become familiar with this website.
Currently, DTS is only issuing F-1 student visas for incoming students.
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 |
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.
- International students have unique requirements for admission to DTS. For these requirements, please read English Proficiency & TOEFL and Proof of Funding.
- Plan to start classes in Dallas or Houston during a fall or spring semester.
- International students may not start classes during the summer because they must attend a government regulations orientation before beginning courses.
- Studying in Dallas or Houston most easily enables you to maintain status during your studies.
- Course planning assumes a fall start date, which, again, will best help students maintain their visa status.
- We cannot issue an I-20 for an F-1 Visa (student visa) holder to complete the MBTS or the CGS in the United States. However, these degrees can be completed 100% online from your home country.
- In order to maintain status as an F-1 visa holder, you will be required to take at least 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester in Dallas or Houston (6 of those credited hours must be taken in person, on-campus).
- Some other visa statuses allow for incidental study (see current government regulations for your visa type).
- DMin and DEdMin students (and master’s students coming to Dallas during the summer or other short sessions) must prove funding, receive an I-20, and obtain an F-1 visa for each trip to the United States.
Professional Ministry Degrees
| ThM | Master’s of Theology with a ministry concentration (4-year program) |
| STM | Master’s of Sacred Theology (1½- to 2½-year program, depending on prerequisites needed; for those who currently hold an accredited, recognized MDiv) |
| MAC | Master of Arts in Counseling (3-year program) |
| MACE | Master of Arts in Christian Education (2-year program) |
| MACL | Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (2-year program) |
| MAMW | Master of Arts in Media Arts and Worship (2-year program) |
| MAIS | Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (2-year program) |
Academic Degrees
| MABEL | Master of Arts in Bible Exegesis and Linguistics (2- to 3-year program depending on prerequisites; for those interested in Bible Translation) |
| MACS | Master of Arts in Christian Studies (if you plan to be in full-time vocational ministry, you need to apply to a professional degree; if you believe this degree is right for you, please contact the academic advisor for international students at internationaladmissions@dts.edu or 214-887-5040) |
| CGS | Certificate of Graduate Studies (1-year program; NOT a Master’s degree; international students must complete this degree entirely online) |
Doctoral Degrees
| DEdMin | Doctor of Educational Ministry (4-year program with classes meeting on the Dallas campus during summer and winter sessions; a student visa is required for periods of residency, requiring new immigration forms from the International Student Office each semester; for students who have a 2-year MACE or an equivalent degree) |
| DMin | Doctor of Ministry (4-year program with classes meeting on the Dallas campus during summer and winter sessions; a student visa is required for periods of residency, requiring new immigration forms from the International Student Office each semester; for students who have a 4-year ThM or an accredited MDiv and who are in full-time ministry) |
| PhD | Doctor of Philosophy (5- to 6-year program; for students who have completed a 4-year ThM or a 3-year MDiv plus an STM degree and who are pursuing academic teaching or academic studies) |
The demonstration of English proficiency is required of all applicants for whom (1) English is not their native or birth language or (2) who were not born in the United States of America. This applies even if the applicant is a United States citizen, has attended an American or English-speaking school, and/or is a long-time resident of an English-speaking country.
Waivers for this English proficiency requirement will only be given to applicants who have completed both High School and an accredited bachelor’s program in the US. Additionally, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to require an official TOEFL or IELTS score from any applicant whose correspondence and/or application materials do not evidence the necessary level of English Language proficiency for graduate study.
Applicants demonstrate their proficiency in English by submitting satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), taken within two years of the date of application.
TOEFL
The Admissions Office accepts the following:
- TOEFL iBT
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
- TOEFL ITP Plus for China
Note: The Admissions Office does not accept MyBest score or TOEFL Essentials.
The minimum score on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) for the CGS, MBTS, and all MA programs is 86, with subscores of 21 for Reading and Listening and 22 for Speaking and Writing. The minimum requirement for the ThM, STM, and all doctoral programs is 90, with subscores of 22 for Reading and Listening and 23 for Speaking and Writing.
Information about the TOEFL may be obtained from: www.ets.org/toefl. The TOEFL institution code for Dallas Theological Seminary is 6156.
A helpful study guide for the TOEFL can be found here.
IELTS
The minimum overall score requirements for the CGS, MBTS, and all MA programs is 6.5 with subscores of 6.0 in Writing, and 6.5 in Reading, Speaking, and Listening. The minimum requirement for the ThM, STM, and all doctoral programs is 6.5 with subscores of 6.0 in Writing, 7.0 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening.
You should plan to take the IELTS Academic test. Information about this test can be obtained from www.ielts.org. To ensure DTS receives your scores, please use the following information when you register for the test:
Dallas Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
3909 Swiss Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
Admissions Approval
Once your application has been approved by the Admissions Department, International Student Development will contact you regarding how to provide proof of funding and assist with the immigration paperwork in order to complete the approval/acceptance process. For more information on the funding process, see below.
Admissions Steps
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
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 | $51,138 | $50,434 | $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.
- Must be a current statement on official bank letterhead with the name of the student listed
- We can accept 100% of the student’s current bank statement
- Must be a current statement on official bank letterhead with the name of the spouse
- We can accept 100% of the spouse’s bank statement if a marriage certificate is provided (if the marriage certificate is not in English, you must provide an English, certified copy of the marriage certificate)
- Supporters can make a donation directly to the student’s DTS account
- Supporters will need to contact the Student Accounts Department to process the donation (supporters can email them at stuacct@dts.edu)
- Once a donation has been made, please contact International Student Development so that we are aware of the donation
- Supporters can submit a pledge form on behalf of a student (Pledge Form)
- Per regulations, we are not allowed to accept a pledge for an amount that is more than 25% of a donor’s total assets. Therefore, if a pledge is more than a certain amount, a supporter will need to provide a 6-month bank history.
- Pledges for $199 or less monthly support: No bank history required
- Pledges for $200 or more monthly support: Requires 6-month bank history
- Pledges for $999 one-time support: No bank history required
- Pledges for $1000 one-time support: Requires 6-month bank history
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for international students. If you complete your application with all of its supporting documents by February 1st for the following Fall Semester, you can apply for International Scholarships. In general, because of the very limited availability of financial aid, you should look into alternate means of supporting your education as well.
Students receiving an international student scholarship are required to return to their home country. Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees. Additional scholarship money may be provided to cover some of the student’s living expenses for the first year only. Living expenses for family members are not covered by scholarships.
You can apply for financial aid after you have become a student accepted by the Admissions Committee.
*Please Note:* Full-ride scholarships are extremely rare, being given to about one ThM student per year, so when financially planning for seminary you’ll want to make sure you have other funds in line instead of planning on a full-ride scholarship.
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 your absence.
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.
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).
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