If you are a prospective international student who wishes to apply to a WSC Masters degree program, the following steps are designed to guide you through the application process. Due to the time required to receive and process international application documents, the WSC Office of Admissions strongly encourages you to begin this process at least a year in advance of when you desire to begin studies.
Step 1: Review the Application for Admission and Financial Aid Timelines
Admissions Timeline >>
Financial Aid Timeline >>
Step 2: Complete the WSC Application for Admission
Choose one option:
Option 1: Apply Online >>
Option 2: Printable Form >> (Download & print form to be mailed to the Office of Admissions)
Step 3: Pay $30 Application Fee
Choose one option:
Option 1: Pay Fee Online >>
Option 2: Pay Fee by Phone, Call Business Office 760-480-8474, ext 107
Option 3: Pay Fee by Check made out to Westminster Seminary California. Mail to: Westminster Seminary California Office of Admissions 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027
*Applications will not be processed without payment of the application fee. WSC accepts Visa or MasterCard. Students applying online must submit electronic payment to complete their application.
Step 4: Arrange for your Ecclesiastical and Academic References
Ecclesiastical Reference form >>
Your ecclesiastical reference should be completed by the minister or council of elders from the church of which you are a member.
Academic Reference form >>
Your academic reference should be completed by a college/university professor under whose guidance you have completed academic coursework. If you are unable to obtain such a reference, you may request to submit an academic essay in lieu of the reference.
Please see our Academic Catalogue for additional information regarding appropriate academic and ecclesiastical references.
Step 5: Request Official Transcripts
An official transcript is needed from each post-secondary institution from which you have received credit; transcripts must be in English.
Undergraduates Studying in the U.S.: If you are an international student completing a Bachelors degree in the U.S., please refer to the Apply as a Transfer Student page for the remainder of the application process overview
Step 6: Submit TOEFL Scores
TOEFL: If your native language is something other than English, you are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which also includes the Test of Written English (TWE), as part of your application.
Submit Scores to WSC: Please be sure to request that test results be sent directly to Westminster Seminary California. Our school code is 4980
TOEFL Score Requirements: The TOEFL is offered in internet-based, computer-based and paper-based formats. The requirements for each are as follows:
- Internet-based: Minimum score 88 on TOEFL, 25 on Writing portion
- Computer-based: Minimum score 230 on TOEFL, 4.5 on TWE
- Paper-based*: Minimum score 570 on TOEFL, 4.5 on TWE
U.S. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: If you are an international student who has completed an undergraduate degree in the U.S. or in an English-speaking country with a minimum 2.7 GPA, you are eligible to be exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
*For the paper-based option, students should apply to take the exam at least three months prior to the date that test results are needed for submission to the Seminary. Arrangements should be made by the applicant directly with Educational Testing Service by contacting the TOEFL Application Office.)
Step 7: Submit Your Application Pieces to the WSC Office of Admissions
Submit your completed application forms, references, transcripts, and test scores to the following address:
Westminster Seminary California
Attn: Office of Admissions
1725 Bear Valley Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92027
FAX 760/480.0252
Application files will normally be reviewed by the Admissions Committee within one to two weeks of completion.
WSC will notify you of the decision regarding your application initially by email and then by postal mail.
Additional Requirements (not required unless requested)
Typically the Admissions Committee will grant or deny admission on the basis of the information identified above. In particular circumstances, however, the committee may request one or more of the following items from you to further demonstrate your preparation for graduate theological study:
- Submission of scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Verbal and Analytical Writing only. The GRE is administered at various centers throughout the United States and the world. More information about the GRE is available at www.gre.org
- Samples of undergraduate academic coursework
- An additional Academic or Ecclesiastical Reference
Step 8: Submit the International Student Application for Financial Aid
See How to Apply for Financial Aid >>
Step 9: Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) and F-1 Visa
See Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) >>
Any questions? Please contact the Office of Admissions
