Catalog 05-07 - Biola University

Admission Requirements
Correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to
the Office of Graduate Admissions, which will supply the proper
forms. When these application forms and all transcripts of previous
academic training have been filed, accompanied by a $45 application
fee, an admissions decision will be made. Official notification
will be sent by mail to the applicant. The application deadline for the
fall is July 1 and for the spring is December 1. Applications may be
submitted after these deadlines (late application fee of $55), but will
be considered only if space is available and time allows. Late applications
may be postponed to later terms.
Talbot School of Theology desires only qualified students and
personnel who are committed to Jesus Christ. However, in the
admission of students, the hiring of employees or the operation of
any of its programs and activities, Talbot does not discriminate on
the basis of the applicant’s race, color, sex, handicap or national or
ethnic origin. Inquiries concerning this policy may be addressed to
the seminary compliance director for Title IX.
Entrance requirements for each program are listed on the page describing
that program under the heading, Admission Requirements.
note: Official documents presented for admission or evaluation
become part of the student’s academic file and normally
cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
ta l b o t W r I t I n G P r o f I C I e n C y
e x a m I n at I o n ( t W P e )
Advanced compositional skills, commensurate with graduate-level
theological studies, are foundational and indispensable, both in
terms of educational and ministerial success. Based on objective criteria,
some new students will be required to take the Talbot Writing
Proficiency Exam (TWPE) prior to registration for the first semester.
TWPE results will determine whether enrollment in TTSS 500 Theological
Writing will be required. If required, this course must be taken
in the first semester of seminary study. (See course description.)
Students who receive a grade of “NC” (No Credit) in this course must
repeat the course (the course is graded on a Credit / No Credit basis).
aC a d e m I C l oa d
The minimum full-time load is nine units for those in the Master of
Divinity, Master of Arts and Master of Theology degree programs.
Those carrying less than the full-time load are considered part-time
students. The standard student load in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
program is twelve (12) units. A student is normally permitted to carry
a maximum of 18 units each semester. To exceed this maximum load,
the student must petition the Office of the Registrar. A maximum
of ten (10) units may be taken by a student in a combination of
independent study, arranged, correspondence and ITS courses to be
counted toward a student’s program. A maximum of six units (of the
ten) may be taken in ITS courses. Doctoral students are considered
full time for a maximum of two years in the dissertation phase of
their program.
A unit of credit is generally considered to consist of one class hour
(50 minutes) a week for a semester. In some cases, such as laboratory
sessions, a unit of credit may involve more than one class period a
week.
As indicated on the curriculum charts for each program, the various
curricula require 14-18 units per semester in order to graduate in
the number of years specified by the chart. However, students who
find it necessary to work 20 or more hours weekly to provide living
expenses should plan to reduce their academic load. Such a reduction
would extend the time required for a degree program, though
participation in summer session and interterm could help offset the
difference.
a d m I s s I o n o f I n t e r n at I o n a l s t U d e n t s
It is essential that students from other countries be able to understand
directions and lectures in English and also to be able express
their thoughts clearly in spoken English immediately upon arrival on
campus. In order that the applicant’s proficiency in English may be
determined, the applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) as administered by the Educational Testing Service
at the nearest overseas examination center. The minimum score
for admission is a total of 550 paper / 213 computer for the graduate
student, 575 paper / 231 computer for Th.M. students, and 600
paper / 250 computer for doctoral students. For graduate students,
scores of 55 or above must be achieved for all three sections of the
TOEFL. Applicants with scores between 550 / 213 and 599 / 248 will
be required to take up to four English courses in addition to their
program. The D.Min., Ph.D. and Ed.D. in Educational Studies programs
also require a score of 4.0 or above on the Test for Written English
(TWE). Preference in admission will be given to applicants with TOEFL
scores of 600 paper / 250 computer or over, and 4.0 or over on the
TWE. However, those scoring between 580 paper / 237 computer
and 599 paper / 248 computer on the TOEFL will be assessed on a
case-by-case basis. (See Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. and
Ed.D. programs in Educational Studies.)
International Students English Skills Requirements
International students and those for whom English is a second language
who are applying to Talbot graduate programs (not doctoral)
will fall into one of two categories with respect to English Skills
Requirements:
1. Those who score above 600 paper / 250 computer on the Test
of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will take the Talbot
Writing Proficiency Exam (TWPE; see above).
2. Those who do not take the TOEFL prior to admission, or
whose TOEFL score is at or below 600 paper / 250 computer,
are required to take the Biola English Placement Exam (BEPE)
prior to registration for classes. The BEPE results will determine
whether enrollment in appropriate ESL course work will be
required. Talbot master’s level coursework may or may not be
2005 – 2007 C ATA LO G Talbot School of Theology 185