
Welcome, Prospective students!
Internationally renowned for mission education, International Theological Seminary offers a variety of degree programs for graduate students. Students experience the "ITS Difference" and our strong tradition of excellence in the classroom and in the community. Outstanding and innovative academic offerings combine with a diverse campus community, the best faculty, and a central location in the city of El monte to make it one of the nation's most desirable theological educational institutions.


ITS Difference
A distinguished theological Seminary
1. 1st year to 2nd year retention rate is almost 100%; Over 90% graduate within 5 years. |
2. Globalized mind; Over 80% students from the 3rd World(developing countries). |
3. Unique learning community; student small groups to shape and share ministry visions. |
4. Strong financial aid directly from the seminary; Over 50% scholarship awarding rate |
5. Mission/pastoral vision oriented; Most grads devote themselves in the field of Christian mission |
Non-discrimination policy
ITS is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The Institute does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, denomination, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other Institute administered programs and activities.
Accreditation
ITS was accredited by the ATA in 1998 (Asia Theological Association) and ATS in 2006 (Association of Theological Schools in the US and Canada). ATS is the nationally recognized accrediting association for theological schools whether Jewish, Protestant or Catholic. ATS is highly recognized and accredits schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Benefits of ATS Accreditation include:
- Coursework at ITS is accepted by other accredited schools
- Provides a framework for graduate and Ph.D studies
- Demonstrates to outside agencies that education at ITS is of the highest level
- Reflects institutional desire to maintain the highest academic level
- Provides opportunities for faculty to continue advanced studies and research
- Qualifies students for federally funded scholarships and loans
For more information about accreditation, please visit www.ats.edu
General Standards for Admission
Since ITS is a graduate theological school, all applicants are required to have earned a regular B.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution before applying for admission into the master’s programs of the seminary. Specific prerequisites for admission are found under each degree program in this catalog.
In considering applicants, the seminary assigns a balanced importance to academic ability, recommendability, and commitment to leadership among Third World churches. Accordingly, every applicant is required to submit the appropriate transcripts, academic and ecclesiastical recommendations, and an application with a statement of commitment. Overseas students must pledge to return to their homelands and churches when they have completed their degree programs.
It should be understood that admission to ITS depends on Christian experience, spiritual growth, call to service and gifts for ministry, as well as the academic record of the applicant. Men and women of God are qualified for Christian ministry by moral character as well as by academic achievement. They are characterized by compassion for individual persons, by sensitivity to the needs of the total community, by a burden that the whole of God’s will be obeyed on earth, by a readiness to accept correction, by a desire for moral growth, and above all, by personal integrity.
ITS admits students of any race, sex, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the seminary. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarships, and loan programs, and other seminary-administered programs.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadline
Applications from local applicants who do not require a student visa are received throughout the year. It is required, however, that local applications must be received by the Admissions office no later than 30 days before a quarter to begin study.
The deadline to receive international applications is April 15 each year. Because of the time limit between the deadline and the fall quarter, all applicants are advised to provide completed forms with accurate information, especially, the name (last, first and middle) and the date of birth must be the same as they appear on their passports.
The application fee to be sent with the application is US$30 for the MA, M.Div., and Th.M. programs and US$60 for D.Min. program. The application fee is non-refundable.
Application forms may be obtained by writing the Admissions Office or may be downloaded from the school website.
TOEFL
The TOEFL requirement is waived if the instructional language of the applicant’s last degree was English. The minimum required TOEFL scores are 560 (paper-based), 220 (computer-based), and 84-85 (internet-based). The TOEFL ID number of International Theological Seminary is CA0575.
Required Forms for Admission
Since all admission materials submitted to the seminary should remain in its possession, any original document or certificate which cannot be reissued must be submitted along with a photo copy. Applicants are normally required to submit the following things to the Admissions Office in order to be considered for admission:
1. Application form and fee
2. One photo
3. Official transcript(s)
4. Three references
5. Personal Testimony
6. Pledge to Return
7. TOEFL score
8. Others if needed
Academic Programs
The academic programs of International Theological Seminary are designed to equip men and women mainly from Third World countries, who are committed to the Lord and his Church, and who are eager to learn. The seminary uses a quarter system in which there are three main quarters in one academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). To encourage international students to complete their programs sooner than the normal study period and return to their home countries, elective courses are offered during the summer (in June and July) and winter (December).
Master of Art in Theological Studies (M.A) |
Master of Divinity (M.Div) |
Master of Theology (Th.M) |
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) |
For more information, please go to academic programs webpage.
Tuition and Fees
M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. Programs
Fees
Application fee |
$30 |
Tuition
Full Credit (per quarter unit) |
$180 |
D.Min. Program
Fees
Application fee |
$60 |
Tuition
Full Credit (per quarter unit) |
$220 |
Academic Calendar 2008-2009
Fall Quarter
| Sep 2-4 | Tue-Thu |
Registration (a late fee after this period) |
Sep 4-5 |
Thu-Fri |
Orientation for new students, convocation (Fri) |
Sep 5 |
Fri |
Faculty interview of new students |
Sep 8 |
Mon |
First day of Fall Quarter classes |
Sep 19 |
Fri |
Last day to add or drop classes with 75% refund |
Oct 24 |
Fri |
ITS Cultural Night |
Oct 31 |
Fri |
Bible Knowledge Test |
Nov 5-7 |
Wed-Fri |
Registration for Winter Interim and Winter Quarter |
Nov 14 |
Fri |
Last day of Fall Quarter classes |
Nov 17-21 |
Mon-Fri |
Final examinations |
Nov 27 |
Thu |
Thanksgiving Day |
Nov 28 |
Fri |
Last day to submit class assignments |
Winter Interim
| Dec 1-12 | Mon-Fri |
Interim session |
Dec 19 |
Fri |
Last day to submit class assignments |
Dec 22-Jan 2 |
Mon-Tue |
Winter break |
Winter Quarter
| Jan 5 | Mon |
First day of Winter Quarter classes |
Jan 16 |
Fri |
Last day to add or drop classes with 75% refund |
Feb 16-18 |
Mon-Wed |
Registration for Spring Quarter |
Feb 20 |
Fri |
Last day to submit Graduation Request Form |
Mar 13 |
Fri |
Last day of Winter Quarter classes |
Mar 16-20 |
Mon-Fri |
Final examinations |
Mar 23-27 |
Mon-Fri |
Spring break |
Mar 27 |
Fri |
Last day to submit all class assignments |
Spring Quarter
| Mar 30 | Mon |
First day of Spring Quarter classes |
Apr 10 |
Fri |
Good Friday. Last day to add/drop classes with 75% refund |
Apr 17 |
Fri |
Bible Knowledge Test II |
Apr 24 |
Fri |
ITS Sports Day (no classes) |
May 6-8 |
Wed-Fri |
Registration for summer courses |
May 15 |
Fri |
Last day to submit Th.M. theses and D.Min. dissertations |
May 15 |
Fri |
Bible Knowledge Test III (graduating students only) |
May 25 |
Mon |
Memorial Day (no classes) |
June 3-5 |
Wed-Fri |
Oral defense of Th.M. and D.Min. students |
June 5 |
Fri |
Last day of Spring Quarter classes |
June 8-12 |
Mon-Fri |
Final examinations |
June 13 |
Sat |
Commencement |
June 19 |
Fri |
Last day to submit all class assignments |
Summer Sessions
| June 22-July 2 | Mon-Thu |
Session I |
July 3 |
Fri |
Independence Day Observed (no classes) |
July 6-17 |
Mon-Fri |
Session II |
July 20-31 |
Mon-Fri |
Session III |
Aug 21 |
Fri |
Last day to submit all assignments of summer classes |