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Applications for Fall 2024 are closed. We are not accepting applications for the next cohort at this time.
Please read this carefully before completing your application online
Previous Names – If you have changed your name since completing your undergraduate or graduate degrees.
Primary Phone
Email Address
Addresses – If you do not currently reside at your home address (e.g. you are away at school), please provide both your home/permanent and current addresses.
Official Transcripts – All institutions at which you have studied regardless of whether a degree was granted. Transfer students must also have a letter of good standing sent from the Dean of your current institution.
- These official transcripts must be sent to admissions@uls.edu. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request transcripts be sent to the Seminary.
- Due to the Family Education Rights Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) policy requires, it be the stated recipient; ULS will not share transcripts with any entity.
- Grade Point Average – The minimum GPA expected of applicants, from previous graduate course work, is 3.5.
Electronic reference forms will be emailed from ULS. Ensure reference email addresses are accurate. Provide their first and last names ONLY. Due to the Family Education Rights Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the ULS policy requires ONLY original references for your application.
Three Academic References:
- Dean/Professor #1 – This reference should be from an academic setting who is acquainted with your academic abilities (if it has been some time since your previous academic work, choose someone who can vouch foryour ability to do advanced degree work.)
- Dean/Professor#2 – This reference should be from an academic setting who is acquainted with your academic abilities (if it has been some time since your previous academic work, choose someone who can vouch for your ability to do advanced degree work.)
- Dean/Professor#3 – This reference should be from an academic setting who is acquainted with your academic abilities (if it has been some time since your previous academic work, choose someone who can vouch for your ability to do advanced degree work.)
Ecclesiastical - The final reference is to be from your bishop or ecclesiastical superior.
Applicants whose language of origin is not English and/or previous instruction is not in English must present scores ofthe Test of English as a Foreign Language - iBT (TOEFL) taken within two years of application to the program. Scores must be reported to ULS by the admissions deadline, using institution code 2371.
International applicants are required to submit a letter from a professor (or other person who knows the student) that vouches for the quality of the applicant’s ability to read technical material, to comprehend, to write and participate in cohort conversation in English at a level suited for study in this doctoral degree. The request for this will be emailed from ULS to this individual.
Essay and Statement of commitment to study
Provide a brief sketch outlining your intellectual history, discussing what has led you to pursue Ph.D. studies, your vocational objectives and your reasons for wishing to study at United Lutheran Seminary (ULS).
Include a statement of your commitment to pursue this course of study full time without interruption until its conclusion, and the reasons that you believe this is feasible. (Full time is understood as at least 40 hours per week engaged in activities on campus.)
Must be typed 700 - 1000-words, Times New Roman, 12-point font, doubled spaced, submitted in PDF (preferred) or MS Word format.
Academic Paper
One academic paper, in English, in your intended area of concentration and representative of your finest work. The paper must be written in English and is required to be typed, Times New Roman,12-point font, double spaced, submitted in PDF (preferred) or MS Word format.
It is expected this academic paper will include a link to an online repository where the applicant shares articles, blog posts, videos, etc., demonstrating current involvement and publication in the area of Public Theology & Witness (in the intended area of specialization and representative of the candidate’s best work) OR comparable artifacts such as samples of public speaking (written or recorded), publications, community organizing portfolio, scholarly interviews (written or auditory), political leadership portfolio, etc.
Background Check
All persons submitting applications for degree programs to ULS will be required to complete the Background Check Authorization provided securely by Castle Branch. An application will not be considered by the Admissions Committee until we receive the results. These results, along with all application materials, are kept confidential and included in the applicant’s file as a part of the application process.
Application Fee $50.00 (Non-Refundable)
Fall Application Submission Deadline January 31st at 11:59PM
*Completed application, fee, essay, transcripts, background check and references all must be received by the Admissions Office no later than February 15th. After you begin the application process as new materials arrive you will be regularly notified of your application status by email.
