Application FAQ
How do I apply?
Applicants may apply online or download the application for admission and recommendation forms from our website at our application link. Please print out the downloaded application and mail forms and other materials to:
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
Candler School of Theology
Emory University
1531 Dickey Drive, Suite 301
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
For help with application questions, please contact our office at candleradmissions@emory.edu or 404.727.6326.
I have submitted my application for admission and/or scholarship and now my To Do list shows several items as “Initiated.” What does that mean?
Initiated items have not been received and processed by our office. If you know the item has been sent, please give us 24-48 hours to process the item once it has been received. You may need to fax or email a copy of this item to be sure we receive it in a timely manner while the original is making its way through the mail.
Do I need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
In order to be eligible for Candler scholarships or federal student loans, you must file the FAFSA between January 1 and March 1. The Emory University school code for the FAFSA is 001564. For more information or to fill out the FAFSA online, please go to the FAFSA website. International students are not required to complete the FAFSA. All international students will be fully considered for relevant scholarships without the FAFSA.
Do I need to file the CSS Profile?
You do not need to file the CSS Profile in order to be eligible for Candler scholarships or federal student loans.
When do I apply?
For Master of Divinity (MDiv) applicants the priority deadline for fall admission is January 15 and the final deadline is July 1. For Master of Theological Studies (MTS) applicants the priority deadline for fall admission is February 1 and the final deadline is July 1. In order to be considered for the maximum number of scholarship opportunities, MDiv students must complete their application by the January 15 deadline, MTS students by the Feb. 1 deadline, and all students must complete the FAFSA by March 1.
The deadline for Doctor of Theology (ThD) applications is January 15 and the deadline for Master of Theology (ThM) applications is February 15 for admission the following fall, with the FAFSA also due by March 1.
When will my application be considered?
Once we receive all application materials, including all forms, fees, transcripts, resume, letters of reference, and writings, the Admissions Committee will typically make a determination within two weeks.
May I request letters of reference or transcripts before I submit my application?
Yes. We will officially open an Admissions file for you once we receive any piece of your application. We recommend having letters of reference and transcripts sent in well before any deadlines to make sure their tardiness does not hold up your application and scholarship review.
What does the admissions committee look at when reading an application?
The Admissions Committee looks at several areas when evaluating an application. These areas include academic ability, writing skills, theological literacy, church/community affirmation, and vocational intent. The committee looks for those who have potential to serve the church and the world in religious leadership and who will succeed in graduate theological studies at Candler.
I wasn’t a religion major in my undergraduate studies. Can I still apply to Candler?
Yes. Most Candler students were not religion majors in their undergraduate work, though we do recommend a strong liberal arts education as a foundation. Students applying to Candler should have a working knowledge of past and present culture from undergraduate studies in the humanities and the natural and social sciences.
Is the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree only for students who wish to be ordained?
While many Master of Divinity (MDiv) graduates go on to ordination in various denominations, others go on to doctoral studies or to lay vocations in non-profit agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and other community ministries.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
For the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, a BA or BS from a regionally accredited college or university is required, usually with a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. For Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students, the GPA minimum is generally 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For Special Students, a GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale is expected. Low grades should be addressed in writing somewhere in the application. All completed applications, regardless of the GPA of the applicant, will be fully reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Do I need to take the GRE to be admitted to Candler?
No. Candler does not require the Graduate Record Examination. If you have taken the GRE and wish to submit your scores to us, we will read them. They are not required, however.
I have been out of school for a while and don’t have contact with my former professors. Do I still need to get academic references?
For those who have been out of school for more than five years, we allow substitution of additional professional and/or character references for the academic references.
My relative is my pastor; can I use him/her as a pastoral reference?
No. None of your references can be relatives of yours. Associate pastors or campus ministers can be used if a relative is your primary pastor.
I am still in undergrad and do not have a professional reference. What should I do?
A professional reference can be obtained from people such as an internship supervisor, a work-study supervisor, or a summer employment supervisor. If you have not had supervisors in any of the above capacities, you may submit a personal reference from someone who has known you for at least three years.
What if I no longer have an academic writing sample?
For those applicants who do not have a recent academic writing sample from the past five years, or those whose academic work falls outside the humanities/liberal arts course work (e.g., BS in Mathematics or PhD in Physics) the admissions office will provide a scholarly article to read and reflect on. See this link for the article and writing instructions. Please email candleradmissions@emory.edu or call 404.727.6326 if you have any questions.
Can I apply for degree admission for the spring semester?
No. Candler only admits degree-seeking students in the fall semester of each year. One may apply for status as a Special Student, a status for those seeking academic credit, but not enrolled in a degree program. For more information, see the Special Student status link on our website.