I would like to apply to take classes as a Program Student.

Urbana Theological Seminary offers two Master's degree programs and one Graduate Certificate. If you’d like to be in a program, you can enroll as a full-time or part-time student. First, make sure that you meet the specific requirements of the program you’d like to apply to. Then, follow the steps below.

Requirements for Admission for the Master’s Programs

  1. The applicant must have earned a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an approved university or college.
  2. The applicant must have earned the minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for admission to an Urbana Seminary program.
  3. Applicants to the Master of Divinity program are encouraged to complete at least a year of undergraduate Greek (more advanced coursework is desirable) before beginning study at Urbana Seminary. Admission without Greek is allowed, with the understanding that Greek should be taken early in the program of study.

Requirements for Admission for the Graduate Certificate of Christian Studies

  1. The applicant must have earned a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an approved university or college or apply to be accepted as a mature learner. For qualification as a mature learner, preference will be given to the student who is over 30 years of age, has earned 60 hours of college credit, demonstrates ability to do work at the graduate level, and is restricted from pursuing completion of an undergraduate degree by job and family commitments. The prospective student must make written application in order to be considered for this status. No more than 20 percent of the students in any entering class will be given this status.
  2. The applicant must have earned the minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for admission to an Urbana Seminary program.
  3. If an applicant does not meet these prerequisites, we encourage contacting the admissions office for a fuller evaluation of the abilities of the applicant.

The Application Process

Urbana Seminary has a simple online application. Parts of the document can be filled out online and emailed but other parts will need to be uploaded to the Admissions Office through Urbana Seminary's Populi Database.

Step 1: Initial Application

The application process begins with a New Program Student Information Sheet. This sheet gives the Admissions Office basic information about the applicant and what program you are applying to. The form can be filled out online (or downloaded) and then emailed to the Admissions Office. A $25 non-refundable application fee is also required. You can pay this through Populi, over the phone at 217.365.9005 with a credit card, or you can mail the check to the office at:
Admissions Office
314 E. Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61820

Step 2: Online Application Components

Once the Admissions Office receives your Student Information Sheet and your Application Fee you will receive an welcome email to Urbana Seminary's Student Database (Populi). This email will give you an Online ID and a link to create a password. Remember this information, as the following application components will need to be uploaded through this software:

  • An autobiographical statement (maximum 5,000 characters) - This statement should highlight your personal spiritual journey and sense of direction for the future. Include anything further that would be important for the Admissions Committee to know. The Admissions Office will not see this statement until you click submit. This is required for all applicants.
  • A statement of calling (maximum 5,000 characters) - This statement describes your sense of calling from God. What are your goals for the future? How will you use the knowledge gained from studying at a seminary in whatever profession or vocation you choose to pursue? The Admissions Office will not see this statement until you click submit. This is required for only Master's degree applicants.
  • Results from TOEFL if English was not the primary language of instruction in previous schools, or not the applicant’s native language.
  • A current resume (maximum 5,000 characters) - This is optional but it is helpful for the Admissions Committee to know a little more about the applicant. The Admissions Office will not see this statement until you click submit.
Step 3: Mail Application Components

The last step requires the applicant to have information sent to Urbana Seminary.

  • Official Transcripts - These must be sent to Urbana Seminary from all schools attended since high school from which the applicant received a degree or completed coursework that is prerequisite to the degree sought. In addition, a transcript is required if the applicant completed at least three classes at any school. Have them mailed directly to the Admissions Office at the address above. This is required for all applicants.
  • Recommendations - Print the recommendation forms out, give them to the individuals you would like a recommendation from and have them mail the form and their letter back to the Admissions Office at the address above. Two recommendations are required one from a pastor and one preferably from a teacher/faculty member but alternatively an employer or business acquaintance.

Throughout the application process you can login to Populi and track what has been received by the Admissions Office. If you have any questions please give them a call at