Admission

Also see the How to Apply section of the web site.

Preseminary Studies

On the basis of guidelines issued by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Emmanuel School of Religion suggests the following general principles concerning the undergraduate education of students preparing to enroll in a theological seminary:

1. Students should give evidence that they have developed to a satisfactory degree the ability to think independently, to communicate effectively, and to research adequately.
2. Students should possess a basic general knowledge of past and present culture through studies in the humanities and the natural and social sciences.
3. The biblical languages are useful tools which students may acquire in the preseminary period. Modern languages such as German, French, and Spanish are also of value in this preparation.
4. The study of the contents of the Bible and of religion in general will provide a foundation for a seminary program of theological study.

Requirements for Admission

Applicants for admission must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, or must satisfy the Committee on Admissions that their education has been equivalent to that of graduates of accredited colleges. They must present, with evidence of graduation, a certified record of studies and reference.

Admission is open to qualified students from any church body or theological tradition. Emmanuel does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, color, or national or ethnic origin in its admission or educational policies.

It is desirable that the applicants for admission shall have completed the following courses in their undergraduate studies:

In case the student is deficient in any of the above prerequisites, the deficiency may be removed by taking courses at Milligan College, East Tennessee State University, or other accredited colleges. The Admissions Committee will determine any such deficiencies and will specify how they are to be made up. Students with such deficiencies may be admitted provisionally, but will be restricted as to the number of Emmanuel courses they may take until the requirements are met. No student can apply for degree candidacy while on provisional admittance status.

Entering students are required to complete an entering student profile and selected inventories. These are administered to entering students during orientation in the fall semester and during the opening week of the spring semester.

Application for Admission

Applicants for admission must submit the following materials:

• transcripts for all past college work
• a completed application form
• a brief essay as described in the application material
• references
• application fee

An application should be received no later than thirty days before the beginning of the semester for which the applicant wishes to enroll. Students applying after this date will be assessed a late application fee of an additional $10.00.

For further information or for an appointment to visit campus, an applicant should write or phone:

Director of Admissions
Emmanuel School of Religion
One Walker Drive
Johnson City TN 37601-9438
423/461-1535 or 800/933-3771

Email inquiries may be sent to AdmOffice@esr.edu. Administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., September through May, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., June through August. The offices are closed on Saturday, Sunday, and most legal holidays.

Transfer of Credits

Students who have taken courses at other accredited graduate institutions may receive transfer credit for courses that are comparable to offerings in the Emmanuel curriculum. Such credit transfer is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Academic Dean in consultation with the faculty.

For both the M.Div. and M.A.R., at least the last 24 semester hours of the degree program must be completed in the Emmanuel School of Religion curriculum, and the senior project or thesis must be completed under the direction of an Emmanuel faculty or faculty-appointed supervisor. For the M.Div. degree, at least 3 of the 6 required semester hours of Supervised Ministerial Experience must be taken at Emmanuel.

In no case can the entire block of courses for the major of the M.A.R. (24 sem. hrs.) or of the M.Div. with Concentration be transferred from another institution.

Special Students

Those who do not plan to take a degree from Emmanuel School of Religion may be enrolled as special students without meeting all the normal undergraduate prerequisites for admission. The Director of Admissions can provide information about an abbreviated application procedure for special students. Faculty advisors are prepared to help such students plan a coherent non-degree program of study.

International Students

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant international students (F-1 status only).

Before being permitted to enroll in Emmanuel, an international student must have arranged a means of paying tuition and have deposited with the School $1500.

The applicant will be required to make a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) except in special cases when the applicant is from a country in which English is the common language.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Courses in Emmanuel School of Religion are approved for veterans’ training under regulations administered by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

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