Applying to CRCDS

APPLYING TO CRCDS

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT

The admissions office is available to provide prospective students with information regarding the application process, degree programs, distinctness of the school, and aspects surrounding student life. The divinity school encourages and invites all prospective students to visit campus and/or attend a virtual preview day. Opportunities to participate in class, tour the facilities, meet with faculty and students, worship in chapel, and more, will be provided.

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School does not discriminate against any qualified student on the grounds of age, gender, race, color, ethnic or national origin, or on the basis of physical disability in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and school-administered programs.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Prospective students who plan to begin a master’s degree program in the fall must submit all application materials by July 15 and November 15 for the spring term. Under extenuating circumstances, an extension may be granted. Please contact the admissions office for further details.

Prospective Doctor of Ministry students should have all necessary application materials to the admissions office by April 15th.

Applications received after these dates will be reviewed on a space available basis.

Generally, admission to the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts program requires a completed four-year degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition to a completed and signed application, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

CRITERIA FOR MASTER OF DIVINITY AND MASTER OF ARTS APPLICANTS

  1. Completed application.
  2. Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary educational experiences.
  3. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale for the M.Div. and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the M.A.
  4. Recommendations from four persons who are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s ability and promise. The Recommendation request can be found on the Online Application.
  5. A 5-to 6-page personal statement responding to the specific questions outlined at this link.
  6. A nonrefundable application processing fee of $35 which will be paid during the online application process. 
  7. Proficiency in written and spoken English, maturity of character and purpose, and a religious commitment appropriate to the applicant’s vocational objectives.
  8. The Admissions Committee may request the applicant to submit additional materials and/or schedule an interview with a representative of the seminary.

CRITERIA FOR DOCTOR OF MINISTRY APPLICANTS

The Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) is designed for experienced clergy and religious leaders who wish to enhance their skills as reflective practitioners. Applicants to the Doctor of Ministry program must have earned a Master of Divinity degree or its educational equivalent in both duration and kind. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum of three years ministry experience after earning a Master of Divinity degree.

The following are required for application to the Doctor of Ministry Program in Transformative Leadership:

  • Completed application.
  • Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary educational experiences.
  • A Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent with a 3.0 average based on a 4.0 scale.
  • Three years of experience in ministry subsequent to the first graduate theological degree and evidence of capacity for an advanced level of competence and reflection.
  • Recommendations from four persons who are in a position to evaluate the applicant’s ability and promise. The Recommendation request can be found on the Online Application.
  • A 5- to 6-page personal statement responding to the specific questions outlined at this link.
  • A resume or statement of experience.
  •  A nonrefundable application processing fee of $35 which will be paid during the online application process. 
  • A writing sample demonstrating ability to produce doctoral-level written work.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English, maturity of character and purpose, and a religious commitment appropriate to the applicant’s vocational objectives.
  • The Admissions Committee may request the applicant to submit additional information.  All DMin applicants must participate in an interview with two faculty members once their application is complete. 

NON-DEGREE STUDENT

Any person wishing to take course work apart from a specific degree program may apply for admission as a non-degree student. This status is open to persons who wish to take occasional course work as a form of continuing education or would like to explore theological studies by taking a couple of classes. Non-degree students are not eligible to receive financial aid and may enroll in courses on a space-available basis only.

Students may take a maximum of three courses per year. Non-degree status is conferred for one year. While non-degree status does not constitute a commitment to future admission to a degree program, a student may request that work taken while a non-degree student be applied to a degree program if admitted.

The non-degree applicant must follow the application procedures outlined in the criteria for Master of Divinity and Master of Arts applicants but may omit the 5- to 6-page personal statement and submit only two references. The Recommendation request can be found on the Online Application.

TRANSFER STUDENT

Credits earned at other accredited seminaries may be transferred to the divinity school, pending review of course syllabi and an official transcript. Requests for transfer credit should be made, in writing and with accompanying documentation, to the Vice President for Academic Life. Normally, transfer credit for academic work completed at another institution more than 10 years prior to admission to CRCDS will not be granted.

Transferring credit into the Master of Divinity program requires course work with a grade of B- or higher and for the Master of Arts program requires course work with a grade of B or higher. Students may transfer no more than one-third of their courses for the Master of Divinity degree (8 courses) and the Master of Arts degree (5 courses). Transferring credit into the Doctor of Ministry program requires course work with a grade of B or higher. No more than two courses will be accepted for advanced standing in the Doctor of Ministry program. These courses must be transfer credits from another ATS accredited Doctor of Ministry program and be consistent with the vision of the CRCDS Doctor of Ministry program in Transformative Leadership. Courses accepted for transfer credit cannot be substituted for required courses. 

VISITING STUDENTS FROM OTHER SEMINARIES

Students from other accredited seminaries are welcome to study on a limited basis. A visiting student may not become a degree student unless she/he meets the requirements of a transfer student. Admission policies for a visiting student are as follows:

  • Submit a completed and signed application along with the $35 nonrefundable application processing fee, which will be paid during the online application process. 
  • Have the Chief Academic Officer from your seminary submit a letter to admissions@crcds.edu indicating that you are a student in good standing and giving approval of the courses you desire to enroll in.
  • Visiting students may enroll in only one semester and will need to re-apply for subsequent terms.

AUDITOR

Any person wishing to study for no credit may apply for admission as an auditor. Credit may not be received at a later date. Auditor hours are recorded as permanent records. Registration is dependent on space available in the class and permission of the instructor. Admission policies for auditor status are as follows:

  1. Submit a completed and signed application.
  2. Have your undergraduate institution send an official transcript verifying the completion of an undergraduate degree.
  3. Total tuition and fees to audit one class is $300 (Discounted to $150 for clergy and alumni/ae). No additional application fee needs to be submitted.

READMISSION

Former students who have not been enrolled for one calendar year or more and desire to enroll in the same degree program must apply for readmission through the admissions office. Students who have not been enrolled for more than one year must meet the degree requirements current at the time of readmission.

READMISSION FOR US MILITARY PERSONNEL

If a student withdraws from a program due to military deployment, students may re-enroll in the program without reapplication within one calendar year of returning from active duty.  Discharge papers may be requested to confirm the date of return from active duty.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

The seminary welcomes inquiries from international students who wish to pursue a degree program at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. In addition to the normal admission requirements, an international student must comply with the following:

  1. An applicant’s admission material must be received five months prior to the fall term.
  2. An international student must have completed a bachelor’s degree from either a U.S. post secondary institution or the equivalent degree from a foreign institution.
  3. All foreign language documents must be accompanied by an official translation into English and a credential evaluation from an NACES accredited agency.  Please follow this link for a list of members.. 
  4. The applicant must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score at least 600 on the paper based test, 237 on the computer based test, or 93 (min. of 23 in each section) on the internet based test to be considered for admission. The test should include the Written Test (TWE). Please submit scores to code 2085
  5. Each recommendation must include an assessment of the applicant’s English ability.

CONDITIONS FOR ISSUING AN I-20

The following conditions must be met before the Form I-20 can be issued to an applicant:

  1. Acceptance of admission to Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
  2. The applicant must present evidence that he/she has funds to meet all expenses for the entire period of study: round-trip transportation, living costs, health insurance, fees, tuition and books. Applicants with financial need in the M.A. and M.Div. programs may apply for a Divinity School Grant.
  3. A deposit is generally required of applicants currently residing outside of the U.S. The amount of the deposit varies depending on the seminary’s assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet the financial obligations of a student.

Applying to CRCDS