International Student Application

Criteria for international student master of divinity (MDiv), master of arts (MA), master of arts: Theopoetics and Writing (MATW) or certificate admission include

1. completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for the MDiv program and 3.0 or higher for the MA program;
2. ability to do theological study at the graduate level as determined from the scope and quality of the applicant’s undergraduate program and academic references;
3. compatibility of the applicant’s personal and vocational objectives with the objectives and resources of the Seminary
4. must provided $10,000 upon arrival for tuition, books, rent and living expenses.
5. must provide $1,500 upon arrival for emergency fund in case student needs to travel home.

To apply to Bethany as an international student for the MDiv or the MA program, please follow the steps outlined below.  Be sure to note the additional steps all international students must complete regarding securing financial and personal sponsors and documenting financial support.  A determination of admission and the receipt of the required deposit must occur prior to our being able to issue a SEVIS I-20 form.

All application materials, including all forms, references, transcripts, essays, and the application fee, must be completed and received by our office by the date listed below for the term you plan to start. Allow six to nine months for the completion of this process.

International Student Application Deadlines

International Student Application Process

Bethany Theological Seminary Residential Program for International Students

 Bethany Theological Seminary encourages students from all parts of the world to come to Richmond, Indiana to study at the seminary.  To help support international students, Bethany has developed a residential program specifically for students enrolled in a graduate degree program.  The students in this international program live and study along side Bethany students from the United States who are participating in the Pillars and Pathways Residency Scholarship (PPRS) program.

Program Overview

The following list identifies some of the program opportunities that are available to international students who participate in this program:

• Bethany will provide a full tuition scholarship for all international students who are admitted into this program.
• Students will live in the Bethany Neighborhood, which is located next to Bethany’s campus.
• Students will participate in the PPRS program. This program includes active engagement in the Richmond community and the Bethany community.
• Students will have the opportunity to volunteer each week at a service organization in the community.
• Students will maintain a full course load at Bethany, and will be expected to maintain good standing in the classroom
• Bethany will provide staff assistance to help students navigate the challenges of living in a different country and culture.

The following program requirements need to be fulfilled for students to participate in Bethany’s International Residential Program:

1. Students must be admitted to one of the graduate degree programs at Bethany and accepted into this program prior to arrival.
2. Students must arrange all travel and visa requirements as required by their own country and by the United States.
3. Students or their sponsor must provide Bethany an initial deposit of $1,500, which will be used to purchase the student’s return plane ticket.
4. Students or their sponsor must provide Bethany an annual amount of $10,000. These funds will be used to cover student expenses.  For a new student these funds are due before the student arrives.  For returning students, these funds are due by July 15 prior to the start of the next academic year.
5. The $10,000 will be used in the following way
   • $2,500 rent for a full year
   • $500/month stipend for food and living expenses. This stipend will be paid to the student at the start of each month. (12 months x $500 = $6,000)
   • $1,500 to cover other educational needs such as books, conferences, etc.
   • Any money not spent will be returned to the student or sponsor at the end of the program.