Application Procedures
An application form must be completed. It is available on-line here or in hard copy format. Paper application forms are available from the Coordinator of Recruitment by phone at 604-822-0824 or by e-mail at admissions@vst.edu.

Application Dates
Diploma and Masters Programs

Requirements
Diploma in Christian Studies or Master's Programs
The requirements for application to the Diploma in Christian Studies, either Master's of Divinity degree or any concentration of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree are as follows:

Bachelor's Degree - Applicants should normally hold a Bachelor's degree or the equivalent from a college or university holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada or accredited by a regional association in the United States, or a degree which, in the judgement of the Admissions Committee, is of equivalent standing. Under special circumstances, some mature students may be admitted without a first degree. However, the regulations of VST's accrediting body, the Assocation of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, limit the number of students admissable without a first degree to 10 percent of the total number of students in degree and diploma programs.

Academic expectations - Applicants for Diploma and Basic Degree programs should have a general understanding of persons, society, culture and religion and a reasonable ability to read philosophical and theological writing with comprehension. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to write in clear and correct English. If a student encounters difficulties in any of these areas, the student should anticipate taking longer to fulfill the program.

English as a Foreign Language level - Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that they can read, write and speak in English at a post-graduate level. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be completed and the results should be provided with the student's Application for Admission form. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission to VST is 580. TOEFL testing can be done at most universities. At the University of British Columbia, arrangements for testing can be made through the Students Services Counseling Center at Brock Hall (Room 1200). For more information, please phone 604-822-3180.

Master of Divinity (Ordination) - One of the three references for the applicant must be from a clergy person.

Applicants without a Degree
For those applicants without a degree from an accredited university, preference will be given to students from VST's supporting denominations. Applicants for admission in this category must have completed the equivalent of at least two years of study in a university arts program before being admitted to the School. In some instances, the Admissions Committee permits students to register if they have one year of arts degree credits. However, in such cases, the student must make up a second year of university credits through university courses before beginning the final year of the degree program.

Applicants from Other Institutions
Students who have begun the study of theology in another theological college or seminary and who expect to qualify for a degree from Vancouver School of Theology must:

• Fulfill all requirements for admission
• Complete the usual procedures for admission
• Present transcripts of marks from institutions previously attended, together with a letter of reference from the Dean or Registrar of the institution last attended
• Be prepared to demonstrate skill and knowledge competencies.

Decisions about the specific requirements for transfer students to complete a degree program at VST will be made in consultation with the student and the Admissions Committee before entry.

Transfer students applying for advanced standing through work completed elsewhere must have completed that work no more than seven years prior to admission to VST.

Student Categories
Degree/Diploma Student — a student who is enrolled as a candidate for a diploma or degree, full-time or part-time. For fee schedules and specific course offerings for a given year, see the Supplementary Calendar, issued by the office of the Dean in April of each year.

Occasional Student — a student who is given permission to enroll in specific courses, who has no intention of pursuing a diploma or degree program, but who would be eligible to do so.

Special Student — a student for whom a custom-designed program is offered to meet specific needs or who is registered in a degree program in another institution.

Auditing Student — see the Academic Regulations and Policies section in VST's Academic Calendar.

Tuition Fees
Students admitted to the School carry responsibility for the full payment of tuition and residence fees. These rates are available from the Dean's Office. The registration process is not complete until all outstanding fees are paid. All financial obligations to the School must be paid before a degree can be conferred on a graduating student or before a student can register for a subsequent semester.

For information on tuition and denominational support for students in the Native Ministries M.Div. Program please contact the Native Ministries Program Office by phone at 604-822-9480 or by e-mail at chalmers@vst.edu.

Native Ministries Admissions
All applications are handled directly by the Native Ministries Program Office. For more information, contact the office by phone at 604-822-9480 or by e-mail at nmp@vst.edu.