ADMISSIONS
A. Enrollment Procedure
Application forms, the current school catalog, and other information concerning enrollment may be obtained from the Registrar or O ice of Academic A airs. Students may apply at any time and may start at the beginning of any semester. All application documents need to be submitted to the O ice of Academic A airs at least three weeks prior to the beginning of classes. Those applicants judged to be fully qualified who exhibit ample evidence of capacity to successfully complete the university’s various educational programs will receive a written letter of acceptance from the O ice of Academic Affairs.
B. Admission Requirements
1. Undergraduate
High school graduates are invited to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Arts degree program. Application forms, and other pertinent information for enrollment may be obtained from the O ice of Academic Affairs or the Registrar.
All applicants submitting to an undergraduate program must provide the following to the Office of Academic Affairs:
- Completed application for admission form
- Application fee of $30.00 (non-refundable)
- Official high school transcript(s) or GED and official transcripts of any postsecondary schools attended
- Overall GPA of 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Recommendation letters: 1 academic/professional and 1 pastor/minister
- Two photos (1.5” x 1.5”).
2. Graduate
The seminary was established to train and equip mature individuals to serve in the Christian ministry. The School of Theology, therefore, seeks students who are ready to study diligently to complete the required courses in preparation for Christian ministry. The basic pre-requisite for entrance into the seminary is a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in the United States or abroad. Students who have earned an undergraduate degree from RPUS may be able to obtain up to 15 credits of advanced standing towards the MDiv degree and 9 credits towards the MATS. Beyond that, in rare situations, special considerations are made case by case by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Each applicant for admission to the seminary must submit the following:
- A completed application form
- Application fee of $30.00 (non-refundable)
- Evidence of a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended must be sent to the Office of Academic Affairs. The grades attained give promise that the applicant can pursue courses in the seminary satisfactorily. The transcript should show the broad and comprehensive education essential to theological studies
- Overall GPA of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0)
- Two letters of recommendation (forms provided from the Registrar or Office of Academic Affairs);
- Statement (250 words or more) of applicant’s Christian experience and reasons for applying to RPUS
- A statement (250 words or more) of professional objectives
- Two photos (1.5” x 1.5”)
3. Other Requirements
Because of the moral/spiritual nature of theological studies and the high demand of the curriculum standards, the seminary examines credentials with a view to ascertaining whether an applicant is of good moral character, is of serious purpose, and has the aptitude to complete the rigorous academic program required for graduation. The university and seminary may grant admission based on the credentials submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs. A personal interview with the applicant prior to admission will be required.
C. International Admission Requirements
RPUS is not yet authorized to admit international students.
D. Admission of Veterans
RPUS is not yet a school participating in the GI Bill’s educational program.
E. Other Admission Categories
1. Conditional
Potential students who have not completed their required degree are welcome to apply at any time during their final year of undergraduate study. Applicants who are admitted prior to the completion of their degree are admitted on a conditional basis pending completion of their degrees and submission of a final transcript verifying that they have received the degree. Under ordinary circumstances the final transcript must be received before a student is allowed to enroll.
2. Academic Probation
Academic probation is a period of testing and proving one’s abilities. Students, admitted to a degree program on probation, are granted a specified period of initial evaluation, followed by a second Graduation and Admissions Committee meeting evaluating the student’s ability to continue in the degree program. Admission on probation provides an opportunity for students, who otherwise might not be admitted, to demonstrate their ability to complete their study.
The following categories of students are admitted on probation:
- Special students: Those admitted under Special Student’s status (see admission requirements for Special Students below)
- Inadequate preparation: A review of transcripts of undergraduate or graduate studies and/or academic reference evaluations that raises concerns about the adequacy of the student’s preparation, abilities, and/or discipline to pursue graduate theological studies
- Unaccredited Institutions: Students holding a bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited institution
While on probation, the student may take a maximum of 15 semester hours of course work before further review. When a student has completed 15-20 semester hours, the Graduation and Admission Committee will evaluate the student’s academic progress and make a decision as follows: 1) grant admission to a degree program; or 2) grant continuation of probation for one semester; or 3) dismiss the student from the seminary.
Normally a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 of course works will be required for confirmation of admission. Since probation is viewed as a time to assist a student in developing and demonstrating academic competency, admission on probation will not be recorded on his or her permanent transcript.
3. Auditing
Auditors are permitted in most courses. Persons desiring to audit are required to secure the permission of the Registrar, complete the audit registration form, and pay a non-refundable audit fee.
Minors (persons under 17-years-old) are permitted to audit a course only when they have either graduated from high school or passed the GED exam, or the instructor in charge has given permission. Audit privileges include regular class attendance; copies of all photocopied or printed material distributed free to the class, and the opportunity to ask occasional questions in class.
Normally auditors will not be permitted to participate in classroom exercises or recitations or to make seminar presentations, nor will assignments or examinations be reviewed or graded by the instructor. Occasional visitors must seek permission of the instructor for each class they wish to attend and will not have the privilege of participation in class discussion. Auditors and other members of the community have access to the library collection and on-site resources, and for a nominal fee they may apply for circulation privileges.
F. Special Student Program
1. Undergraduate
Applicants for admission to the bachelor’s program may not have earned a high school diploma or GED. EU may consider them for admission on an individual basis. In such cases, letters of reference and/or other documents must demonstrate that applicants can benefit from the educational program. Applicants must also have a personal interview with the Dean of Academic A airs. With the approval of the Admissions Committee, applicants may be enrolled as a Special Student. Only a limited number of students will be admitted as a Special Student in one year. Those who are admitted as a Special Student must work closely with their academic advisors in order to earn a regular student status.
2. Graduate
In extraordinary cases, a student whose gifts for pastoral ministry have been strongly confirmed by the church but who has not earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) may apply for admission to the MDiv program as a Special Student. Only a limited number of Special Students may be admitted in any one year because an undergraduate program will provide fundamental research and educational skills required for graduate study . To more clearly evaluate the Special Student application file, RPUS has designated specific criteria regarding the applicant’s academic history, ministry and employment experience, and standardized examination results.
Education
The applicant must have completed at least 30 semester units (or equivalent) of undergraduate study at an accredited or otherwise approved college or university. Of these units, at least 15 semester units must be in humanities or liberal arts other than Bible and theology (namely, English or world literature, history, philosophy, ancient or modern foreign languages, etc.). To strengthen the application, the remaining course work should be in the above areas or in natural sciences, social sciences, and Bible/theology. The cumulative grade point average in undergraduate course work must be 3.0 or above.
Experience
The applicant must also have life experience in employment and Christian service in a church or para-church organization. Four years of employment experience and of experience in Christian service will be weighted as equivalent to one year (30 semester units) of undergraduate study. The applicant must have a total preparation package (combining ministry/employment experience and academic course work) equivalent to four years (120 semester units) of undergraduate study. Thus, Special Student applicants must demonstrate one of the following combinations of academic and life experience:
- 30-59 semester units of academic courses, plus 12 years employment and 12 years Christian service/experience.
- 60-89 semester units of academic courses, plus 8 years employment and 8 years Christian service/experience.
- 90-119 semester units of academic courses, plus 4 years employment and 4 years Christian service/experience.
- Years of employment and Christian service experience may be fulfilled concurrently, but both categories must be fulfilled
G. A iliation with Other Institutions
RPUS currently does not have contracted ties to other institutions save KAPC denominational churches.