2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Academic Information}
Admission Requirements
demonstrate proficiency in English. The minimum score for applicants
on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is indicated
on the chart below. An official record of the test must be sent
to the Seminary by the Educational Testing Center. Photocopies of
test results will not be accepted.
All applicants who are admitted to the Seminary with the minimum
required score of 570 or 600 (230 or 250 computer-based
[CBT] or 88-89 or 100 internet-based [iBT] respectively), but less
than 640 (273 CBT or 111 iBT respectively), on the TOEFL must
register for a course in Advanced Theological Writing (PT 031P)
during their first semester on campus and during each subsequent
semester until the course is passed. The course must be passed
in order for the student to graduate. There is a tuition fee for this
course (see course description for PT 031P). Only those students
who submit a TOEFL score of 630 (267 computer) or higher plus
a TWE score of 5.5 (111 iBT) or higher will be exempt from PT
031P.
Minimum Required Scores:
TOEFL
M.A.,
M.A.R.,
M.Div.
Internet-
Based
Computer-
Based
Paper-
Based
TWE
88-89 230 570 4.5 -
D.Min. 88-89 230 570 5 -
Th.M.,
Ph.D.
100 250 600 5 50
TSE
All applicants to Th.M. and Ph.D. programs must submit, in
addition to the TOEFL and TWE score, a score of not less than
50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE-A). This test is part of the
internet-based TOEFL (iBT) but not part of the computer-based
(CBT) or paper-based TOEFL and requires an additional fee. It is
administered twelve times per year at centers around the world.
The TOEFL and TWE exams are required for those whose native
language is not English. If the applicant’s native language is not
English, but he or she has been educated in English from the primary
grades through undergraduate work, he or she will be exempt
from taking the TOEFL and TWE exams.
To register for the TOEFL/TWE or TSE test, applicants should
contact TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-
6151, USA (telephone: 609-882-6601; web address: www.toefl.
org). Westminster’s code number, 2976, should be noted on materials
sent to TOEFL/TSE Services.
International Students
Students of high academic standing from other countries are
encouraged to apply to the Seminary. However, applicants should
note that, while some limited financial assistance for tuition may
be awarded by the Seminary (see page 146), complete financial
support is not granted to any student. International students must
seek additional means of support elsewhere.
International students (on F1 or J1 visa status) need to be
enrolled full-time in the fall and spring semesters, according to
the Seminary and the United States government policies. For full
details, contact the Director of International Students.
Applicants should note that because of United States banking
restrictions, checks must be payable in U.S. dollars, drawn on a
U.S. bank, with the bank’s computer code located in the lower lefthand
corner of the check. Checks not meeting these requirements
will be returned, which may delay admission.
In addition to the following, applicants from other countries
should follow the application procedure outlined under the “General
Requirements for Admission to Programs” section beginning on
page 37. Applicants whose native language is other than English
should also see the Non-Native English Speakers (TOEFL and TWE)
section on page 38.
In order for the applicant to receive from the Director of
International Students the Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019
for J visas or Form I-20 for F visas) necessary to obtain the visa
for nonimmigrant students, the applicant must have final approval
of admission as a full-time student and financial documentation
2009–2010
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