Admissions Requirements

EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

For admission to Diploma in Christian Studies, Master of Christian Studies, Master of Divinity and Special Student status:

1. An application form (click here to download).
2. A non-refundable application fee of $60 CDN ($50 US). A further $20 (CDN or US) is required for late applications (see Deadlines). Applications received without the fee will be returned. Payments may be made in the following formats:
   
   • Canadian or US cash or traveller’s cheques (if paying in person)
   • cheque drawn on a Canadian or US bank account
   • Canadian or US bank or postal money orders
   • credit card (Visa or MasterCard): please write your account information on the application form
3. A personal statement written by the applicant describing his or her life experience, personal journey of faith and educational goals (approx. 1,000 words). Applicants for mature student
   status should be specific as to how their life/work/ministry/educational experience can be seen as equivalent to a university education.
4. Official transcripts (listing all courses taken, all grades received and any credentials granted) sent directly from all universities or colleges and other institutions of higher education attended. Transcripts that are in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official English translation.
5. Written recommendations on forms supplied by the Admissions Office attesting to:
   
   a) the applicant’s academic performance and capacity for graduate work, and
   b) the applicant’s facility in interpersonal relationships, social sensitivity and other significant character traits.
6. Official results of TOEFL exam (including the essay or TWE) for all applicants who speak English as a second language (see English Language Requirements).
7. A sample research paper for all those applying for admission in the non-accredited degree category (max. 10-12 pages).
8. A writing sample for all those applying for admission in the mature category. This should be a 1,000-word, double-spaced book review on an English-language book selected from the Book Review Reading List. It should interact with the author’s ideas and not just report on them. There should be no outside proofreading.

For admission to the Master of Theology:

1. All documents listed above, plus
2. An additional one-page application form specific to the ThM program (supplied on request by the Admissions Office).
3. A sample research paper in area of intended study (max. 12–15 pages).
4. A statement of research intent (300-500 words).

INTERNAL APPLICANTS

Applying from MCS/MDiv into ThM: Students currently in the MCS or MDiv program who are nearing completion may apply to the ThM program by submitting a ThM application form, a sample research paper, a statement of research intent, plus a $25 ($20 US) application fee, and having applicable faculty recommendation forms forwarded to the Admissions Office. Students who apply to the ThM program should be aware that they will have to fulfill the degree requirements as stated in the Academic Catalogue which is current at the time of admission (should any program changes occur).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Diploma in Christian Studies, Master of Christian Studies and Master of Divinity
The normal academic requirement for admission is an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. The minimum grade point average normally considered in the admission selection process is 2.8 on a scale of 4.0 (or equivalent).

Master of Theology
The normal academic requirement for admission to the ThM program is a MCS, MDiv or equivalent degree from an accredited institution. The minimum grade point average normally considered in the admission selection process is 3.5 out of 4.0 in the preceding master’s program.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants who do not speak English as their first language. The TOEFL Bulletin can be obtained by contacting TOEFL directly through e-mail toefl@ets.org, the TOEFL website, www.toefl.org, regular mail (TOEFL Services, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, USA) or telephone (609.771.7100). The institution code for Regent College is 9738. Scores are valid for a maximum of two years.

A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (internet-based exam scale) or 230 (computer-based exam scale) and a minimum essay score of 5 are required for acceptance to all programs at Regent College with the exception of the ThM. ThM applicants are required to have a minimum TOEFL score of 108 (internet-based exam scale) or 263 (computer-based exam scale), along with a minimum essay score of 5.

Since tests are given only a limited number of times each year and since some countries have long waiting lists, it is vital to register well in advance for a test date. Once the test is written, it can take up to six weeks for the results to be sent to Regent. Application decisions cannot be made until the TOEFL scores have arrived.

Please note that Regent College does not currently offer any English language instruction.

DEADLINES

All completed applications will be considered for admission once the application completion deadline has passed. Decisions regarding admission will be made within four weeks of the application completion deadline.

• January 1: application completion deadline for international applicants to Summer and Fall Terms (citizens of countries outside North America who are not permanent residents of Canada or the USA). This optional deadline allows additional time for processing of study permit applications and other preparations for relocating to Vancouver. International students who wish to be considered early must have completed admission applications on file by this date. International students can also be considered at the February 1 application completion deadline. Students who wish to apply for Geographic Scholarships must have completed applications by this date.

• February 1: application completion deadline for all applicants (except ThM applicants) to Summer and Fall Terms; application completion deadline for ThM applicants to Fall Term. Applications completed after this deadline will be considered while space remains available. Applications received after this deadline will incur an additional non-refundable late fee of $20 (CDN or US), and will be considered while space remains available. If you are considering applying for the Summer or Fall 2007 term, you are strongly urged to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
• March 1: financial aid deadline for Fall Term. Students may submit financial aid applications before being admitted to the College; however, they must be admitted by the financial aid deadline to be eligible for an award.
• May 1: application completion deadline for ThM applicants to Winter Term.
• June 1: confirmation deadline for Summer and Fall Term admission.
• July 2: application completion deadline for all applicants (except ThM applicants) to Winter Terms. Applications completed after this deadline will only be considered if space is available. Applications received after this deadline will incur an additional non-refundable late fee of $20 (CDN or US), and will only be considered if space is available. Normally, space availability is only known after the November 1st confirmation deadline.
• August 1: financial aid deadline for Winter Term. Students may submit financial aid applications before being admitted to the College; however, they must be admitted by the financial aid deadline to be eligible for an award.
• October 1: application completion deadline for ThM applicants to Summer Term.
• November 1: confirmation deadline for Winter Term admission.
  

CONFIRMATION PROCEDURE

In order to help the College in planning course offerings, admitted students are required to officially confirm the acceptance of their admission by returning the confirmation form that is included in their admission package, accompanied by a $250 non-refundable confirmation deposit. This confirmation deposit will be applied to tuition only in the term confirmed. Confirmation deadlines are listed above. Space may not be available for students who do not officially confirm their acceptance by the stated deadline.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

Admitted students are encouraged to register early for classes. Information and the applicable forms are mailed out to admitted students in advance of the term for which they have been admitted. Registration forms must be accompanied by a $150 deposit.

POSTPONEMENT OF STUDIES

Upon acceptance into a program at Regent College, students are permitted to postpone beginning their studies for up to one year. After a postponement period of one year, students must reapply should they wish to study at Regent. The confirmation deposit must be paid at the time of postponement to reserve a place in a future term. If a confirmation deposit has already been paid for the original term and a student postpones after the confirmation deadline has passed, a new confirmation deposit will be required at the time of postponement.

AMERICAN STUDENTS

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States planning to study in Canada for six months or longer must apply to Immigration Canada for a study permit which allows them to study in Canada. This is done at the port of entry (e.g., airport or border crossing) when the student is moving to Canada. Immigration Canada charges an application fee of $125 CDN for each study permit (subject to change). Spouses of full-time students may also apply for a work permit upon entry to Canada or by mail once they have arrived in Canada; the current fee is $150 (subject to change). Spouses of full-time students who intend to study part-time should contact the International Student Services Coordinator at Regent College for advice. Immigration Canada requires that the following documents be presented when applying for the permit:

1. Proof of identification (passport or birth certificate with photo ID).
2. Official letter of acceptance from Regent College stating the program and dates of study. Photocopies or faxes are not usually accepted.
3. Evidence of adequate funds to live and study in Canada, including return transportation: current guidelines used by Immigration officials are $17,500 CDN per year for singles; $21,500 CDN per year for couples (for families add $3,000 per year for each child). Proof of adequate funds may be in the form of bank statements, student loan documents, scholarship and bursary awards, or pledges of support from other organizations or individuals.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The term “international” is used at Regent to refer to students who come to study at Regent from outside of Canada and the United States. While the application procedure for international students is as stated above, the following guidelines and advice should be noted.

When considering applications from international students, attention is given to a candidate’s motivation for study at Regent, competence in English, university performance and program, academic and personal references and financial resources.

International students planning to study in Canada for six months or longer should apply for a study permit (and, in some countries, an entry visa also) at the nearest Canadian consulate. For more information on the policies and procedures for obtaining a study permit and/or entry visa, you may wish to visit the Immigration Canada website. Immigration Canada charges an application fee of $125 CND for each study permit (subject to change). Spouses of full-time students may also apply for a work permit at this time, upon entry to Canada, or by mail once they have arrived in Canada; the current fee is $150 (subject to change). Spouses of full-time students who intend to study part-time should contact the International Student Services Coordinator at Regent College for advice. An immigration official will indicate which of the following documents are required for study and/or work permits:

1. A valid passport.
2. Official letter of acceptance from Regent College stating the program and dates of study. Photocopies or faxes are not usually accepted.
3. Evidence of adequate funds to live and study in Canada, including return transportation: current guidelines used by Immigration officials are $17,500 CDN per year for singles; $21,500 CDN per year for couples (for families add $3,000 per year for each child). Proof of adequate funds may be in the form of bank statements, scholarship and bursary awards, or pledges of support from other organizations.
4. Evidence of good character and, if applicable, a letter from a sponsoring organization.
5. Evidence that the applicant plans to return to his or her country of origin.
6. Certificate of medical clearance from a doctor appointed by the Canadian consulate.

International students as well as permanent residents of Canada intending to visit the US or take part in Regent’s Annual Fall Retreat (see Community Life / College Life) held in Washington State may require a US visitor’s visa. (The requirement varies depending on your home country. Please check with your nearest US consulate.) Since many international students have had difficulty obtaining one once they have arrived in Canada, students who require a US visitor’s visa should apply for one while in their home country.

Students with Disabilities
Academically qualified students who have physical, sensory, or specific learning disabilities are encouraged to apply for admission to Regent College. Through an agreement with the University of British Columbia’s Disability Resource Centre (DRC), Regent offers a wide variety of services designed to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. Regent is committed to providing support for students to the extent that our resources permit.

Students requiring special assistance or consideration in order to meet program requirements should advise the Regent College Registrar of this need as soon as possible to allow arrangements to be made. Students may also contact the DRC at the University of British Columbia for a description of the services available and to arrange access to them. The DRC is located at Rm 1040–1874 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1; phone: (604) 822-5844; fax: (604) 822-6655; e-mail: disability.resource@ubc.ca; website: students.ubc.ca/drc.