Application Materials
As you work on your application, review the following information regarding the autobiographical statement, resume, writing sample, required letters of recommendation, and transcripts.
NOTE: You may submit hard copies of any of the attachment documents if you have difficulty with the online attachment process. Converting your documents into one master PDF file will expedite the processing of your application. Regardless of how your attachments are delivered, be sure to label each page with your name. Detailed instructions for attaching documents as well as a link to a free PDF converter are found in the Attach Essays, Resume, etc. section of the online application.
Autobiographical Statement
The three- to four-page typed, double-spaced autobiographical statement is a critical element in the evaluation of your application. Please consider your response carefully, tending to content, style, grammatical correctness, and essay organization. The statement is a way to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. It also will help faculty advisors guide and evaluate your learning experience in your program. With this in mind, write a reflective essay about your life that addresses the following:
Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theology(ThM), and Special Non-Degree applicants:
- Significant life experiences that have affected your view of self, God, and the world. Include references to family members and significant others, courses, and experiences in college, church, service-related activities, and employment.
- Aspects of your background that inform the unique perspective you would add to the diverse and vibrant community that exists at Candler School of Theology.
- Your reasons for applying to Candler School of Theology.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS) applicants:
- Significant life experiences that have affected your view of self, God, and the world. Include references to family members and significant others, courses, and experiences in college, church, service-related activities, and employment.
- Academic and other interests that motivate you to engage in theological studies.
- Ways the Master of Theological Studies program at Candler School of Theology fits your interests.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
Doctor of Theology (ThD) Applicants: (Note: Statement is to be 5-10 pages in length)
- Sense of pastoral identity and reflection on pastoral experience in ministry or significant history of service to the church.
- Formation through Clinical Pastoral Education or other clinical experience.
- Your understanding of pastoral counseling as a vocation and academic discipline.
- Your topic of research or special interests that you plan to pursue in dissertation research.
- Academic and clinical interests that motivate you to pursue advanced studies.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
Resume
Submit a well-organized resume that provides a brief summary of your educational background, job experience, vocational aspirations, leadership goals and accomplishments, professional affiliations, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, skills, personal qualities, and interests and hobbies.
Academic Writing Sample
The academic writing sample should be a four- to seven-page sample of recent academic writing that provides evidence of writing skills, the ability to engage texts, and the ability to form clear arguments or theses. This may be an excerpt from a larger work or a short paper written for a class assignment. If the nature of the paper or the larger context for it is not evident, it is helpful to provide a cover page that will give the Admissions Committee a better understanding of the sample you are submitting. Applicants who have been out of college for more than five years and/or cannot provide a recent academic writing sample are required to complete an alternate writing assignment provided by the Admissions Committee. Click the link for further instructions.
Plan of Study Statement (MTS and ThM Applicants only)
- Master of Theological Studies (MTS) applicants should submit a two- to three-page statement detailing their proposed discipline of study, topic of research, and special interests that they plan to pursue and develop at Candler.
- Master of Theology (ThM) applicants should submit a two- to three-page statement explaining how the proposed topic of research in the area of Bible, Preaching and Worship, Pastoral Care, Theology, Ethics, or Religious Education is best suited to Candler’s offerings in one of those required areas.
Required Recommendations
Three recommendations from persons who are not family members are required for all Candler degree programs. We suggest the following types of recommendations for each degree program. You can input the recommender's informaton on the online application so that when you submit it the recommender will receive email instructions to complete a secure online recommendation for you. For recommenders who cannot utilize the online form or if they are added after you submit your application, please use the downloadable form.
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- pastoral recommendation, provided by a pastor, chaplain, campus minister, or equivalent (required)
- academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor (if you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit an additional professional recommendation)
- professional recommendation, provided by a work supervisor, or a person who has known you for three or more years (if you are currently a student, you may prefer to submit a second academic recommendation in lieu of a professonal recommendation)
In addition to the three recommendations, Anglican and Episcopal students who wish to enroll in the Episcopal Studies Certificate must submit a letter from their Bishop stating that they are postulants and/or have the Bishop's permission to enroll in the certificate. If this applies to your situation, you should not add your Bishop as a recommender unless the Bishop will provide your pastoral recommendation and also indicate permission to enroll in the Episcopal Studies Certificate in the same letter.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
- two academic recommendations, provided by college or graduate school professors (if you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure two academic recommendations, submit additional professional recommendations as needed)
- professional recommendation, provided by a work supervisor, or a person who has known you for three or more years (if you are currently a student, you may prefer to submit a second or third academic recommendation in lieu of a professional recommendation)
Master of Theology (ThM)
- academic recommendation, provided by college or graduate school professors (if you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit additional professional recommendations)
- professional recommendation, provided by a work supervisor, or a person who has known you for three or more years (if you are currently a student, you may prefer to submit a second academic recommendation in lieu of a professional recommendation)
- if you are currently serving as a pastor, we would like evidence of support from your ecclesial supervisor for your return to school. An ecclesial recommendation may be from a Bishop, District Superintendent, or denominational executive (select Pastoral as Recommender Type in online application). If you are not serving under ecclesial supervision at this time, you may substitute an additional academic or professional recommendation for the ecclesial one.
Doctor of Theology (ThD)
- one academic recommendation provided by a graduate school professor (if you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit an additional professional recommendation)
- ecclesial or pastoral recommendation provided by a denominational executive or pastor
- work or character recommendation provided by a work supervisor or a lay person who has known you for three to five years (Select Professional as Recommendation Type in Online Application)
Special/Non-Degree
Two letters of recommendation from persons who are not family members:
- pastoral recommendation, provided by a pastor, chaplain, campus minister, or equivalent
- one academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor (if you have been out of college for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit additional professional recommendation)
Academic Transcripts
Official transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, graduate schools, and seminaries must be submitted, regardless of when you attended, how many hours were earned, or whether a degree was granted. Official transcripts should be sent directly from these institutions or delivered in a sealed and signed envelope. If you are currently enrolled at an institution, please send an official transcript of your work to date and ask that a transcript be sent promptly following the completion of the term and/or conferral of a degree.
All transcripts can be sent to:
Candler School of Theology
Emory University
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
1531 Dickey Drive, Suite 301
Atlanta, Georgia 30322