Application Requirements

Learn how to take the next steps to apply to Candler.

Our application for admission has been streamlined to make it easier than ever to apply to Candler.

Still, you may have questions, and we’re here to help! Please read these instructions to find out what materials are required for a complete application. We look forward to learning more about you, and helping you learn more about Candler.

 

Required materials

Your application is an opportunity to showcase your strengths, interests, theological maturity and individuality. It is the place to tell your real story. Each item we’ve requested helps us get a better understanding of your interest in theological education and your future goals. Your written items—resume, writing sample, autobiographical statement, and plan of study statement—can be uploaded directly to the online application before you submit it.

  1. General application requirements (resume, writing sample, transcripts)
  2. An autobiographical statement
  3. A plan of study statement, based on your program
  4. Recommendations
  5. Additional application materials for transfer, dual degree or international applicants

 

Requirements by program

General Requirements
Degree Specific Requirements
Resume
Academic Writing Sample
Transcripts
Autobiographical Statement
Plan of Study Statement
Recommendations
MDiv
X
X
X
X
n/a
3
MTS
X
X
X
X
X
3
MRL
X
X
X
X
n/a
3
MRPL
X
X
X
X
X
3
ThM
X
X
X
X
X
3
DMin
X
X
X
X
n/a
3
Non-degree
X
n/a
X
X
n/a
n/a

1. General Application Requirements

1. General Application Requirements Image
Submit your resume

Your resume should provide a brief summary of your educational background, job experience, vocational aspirations, leadership goals and accomplishments, professional affiliations, honors and awards, community service, skills, personal qualities, and interests and hobbies. Tip: This can be uploaded directly to the online application before you submit it.

Submit your 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, please provide a cover page explaining the context.

  • DMin applicants may also submit an article or essay submitted for publication or a sermon for an academic writing sample.
  • Applicants who have been out of school for more than five years and/or those whose most recent degree does not include liberal arts course work (e.g. Bachelor’s degree in Physics), you are required to complete an alternate writing assignment provided by the Admissions Committee.
    • Instructions
      • Write a four- to seven-page critical reflection essay on one of the three select articles, which are available for download in the “Attachments” tab of your application. Be sure to include:
        • A half-page summarizing the article’s main points;
        • Critical analysis of the content and themes of the article. Please draw in at least one outside source (i.e., the Bible, another article, book, or other academic resource) and use appropriate citations from that source in your reflection;
        • Discussion of any questions raised in your reading of the article.

      Use appropriate and consistent attribution of ideas and quotes from the article and your other sources of literature referenced within your essay. This includes parenthetical, footnote, or endnote citations. Any style consistently used in the bibliography is acceptable as long as it includes author(s), title, place of publication, publisher and date. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White and Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations are recommended for all questions of style and citations.

      Format

      • Your academic writing sample should be:
        • Four to seven pages typed, doubled-spaced text;
        • Black ink, using a 12-point serif font (e.g., Garamond or Times New Roman);
        • Submitted as a Word document or PDF as 8.5 x 11-inch document;
        • With one inch margins on all four sides.

Tip: This can be uploaded directly to the online application before you submit it.

Submit your official academic transcripts

Official transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, graduate schools and seminaries must be submitted, regardless of when you attended, how many hours you earned, or whether you earned a degree. Official transcripts should be sent directly to Candler from these institutions electronically or via mail; transcripts can also be delivered in a sealed and signed envelope to the Candler Admissions Office. 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.

Electronic transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to candleradmissions@emory.edu.

Send hard copies of transcripts to:

Candler School of Theology
Emory University
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
1531 Dickey Drive, Suite 301
Atlanta, Georgia 30322

2. Autobiographical Statement by Program

This critical element of your application will be evaluated on content, style, grammar and organization. This statement is your introduction to the Admissions Committee and will help faculty advisors guide and evaluate your learning experience in your program of interest. Please select your program of interest for specific instructions on writing your Autobiographical Statement.

MDiv Autobiographical Statement

MDiv Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced
  • 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 understanding of vocation, details of a call to ministry and plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology. United Methodist applicants should indicate plans for ordination as a deacon or elder in an annual conference, and status in the United Methodist candidacy process, if applicable.

MRL Autobiographical Statement

MRL Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced
  • 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 and the ways in which study in one of the Master of Religious Leadership concentrations (Mission, Evangelism, and World Christianity; Justice, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Transformation; Pastoral Care; Ministries with Youth; Worship and Music) will enhance your ministry.
  • Your understanding of vocation, your own call to ministry and plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.

MRPL Autobiographical Statement

MRPL Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double spaced
  • 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 and the ways in which study in the Master of Religion and Public Life will enhance your professional endeavors.
  • Your understanding of vocation and plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.

MTS Autobiographical Statement

MTS Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced
  • Significant life experiences that have affected your view of self, religion, and the world. Include references to family members and significant others, courses and experiences in college, religious organizations, service-related activities and employment.
  • Academic and other interests that motivate you to engage in theological studies.
  • How the Master of Theological Studies program at Candler School of Theology addresses your interests.
  • Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.

ThM Autobiographical Statement

ThM Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced
  • 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.

DMin Autobiographical Statement

DMin Autobiographical Statement

  • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced
  • 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 and the ways in which further study in one of the Doctor of Ministry tracks (Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, Chaplaincy, Church Leadership and Community Witness, or Womanist Discourse) will enhance your ministry.

Non-degree program Autobiographical Statement

Non-degree program Autobiographical Statement

  • 1-2 pages typed, double-spaced
  • 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.
  • The course(s) you hope to enroll in at Candler.
  • Your plans following completion of study at Candler.
CB26 Pattern CB26 Pattern

3. Submit Your Plan of Study Statement

MRPL Plan of Study Statement

In a two- to three-page statement, explain how your proposed area of interest builds on your current professional expertise and personal interests, drawing on the resources of Candler and Emory and outlining a possible integrative paper.

MTS Plan of Study Statement

In a two- to three-page statement, detail your proposed discipline of study, topic of research and special interests that you hope to develop at Candler.

ThM Plan of Study Statement

In a two- to three-page statement, explain how your 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.

4. Request Three Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation from persons other than family members are required for all degree programs. Each of your recommenders must be listed in the Recommendations section of the online application, which, once submitted, will trigger an email to the individuals asking them to complete a secure online recommendation. This will expedite our receipt of the recommendation. Recommenders who cannot access the online form or who are added after you have submitted your application may download the recommendation form.

Please see the information below on the specific types of recommendations requested for your program.

Image
MDiv Required Recommendations
  1. Pastoral recommendation, provided by a pastor, chaplain, campus minister or equivalent (required).
  2. Academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor. If you have been out of school for more than five years and/or are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit an additional professional recommendation. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to include a recommendation from a professor at their current seminary.
  3. 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.
MRL Required Recommendations
  • Pastoral recommendation, provided by a pastor, chaplain, campus minister or equivalent.
  • Academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor. If you have been out of school for more than five years and/or are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit an additional professional recommendation. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to include a recommendation from a professor at their current seminary.
  • 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.
MRPL Required Recommendations
  1. Academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor. If you have been out of college for more than five years and/or are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit an additional professional recommendation. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to include a recommendation from a professor at their current seminary.
  2. Two professional recommendations, provided by a colleague, work supervisor or other person who has known you for three or more years.
MTS Required Recommendations
  1. 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. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to include a recommendation from a professor at their current seminary.
  2. 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.
ThM Required Recommendations
  1. Academic recommendation, provided by a college or graduate school professor. If you have been out of school for more than five years and are unable to secure an academic recommendation, submit additional professional recommendations. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to include a recommendation from a professor at their current seminary.
  2. 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.
  3. If you are ordained, please provide an ecclesial reference from a bishop, district superintendent or denominational executive showing support for your enrollment in the ThM program.
DMin Required Recommendations
  1. One academic recommendation provided by a graduate school professor. If you have been out of graduate school for more than five years and are unable to secure a professor’s recommendation, submit an additional professional reference, either from a layperson or an ecclesial colleague.
  2. One professional reference provided by a layperson in a leadership position at your current ministry site.
  3. One ecclesial reference from a bishop, district superintendent or denominational executive showing support for your participation in the Doctor of Ministry degree program.

5. Additional Application Materials

Transfer Applicants

Transfer students will be asked to submit a hard-copy letter of good standing from the institution from which they hope to transfer. In most cases, transfer students can be admitted provisionally pending receipt of this letter. Letters of good standing cannot be submitted through online recommendation.

Dual Degree Applicants

If you are applying to one of Candler’s dual degree programs, you must complete a separate application for the second degree program with the corresponding school.

International Students

If you are applying to Candler and are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, please review our additional requirements for international students.