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
Late Registration Fee (per quarter)
Student Activity Fee (per quarter)
Graduation Fee
Transcript (per copy)
I-20 Form: Original Issuance
Each subsequent Issuance
Each Endorsement

$30
$20
$20
$75
$5
Free
$30
$15

Tuition

Full Credit (per quarter unit)
Audit (per course, non-refundable)

$180
$100

D.Min. Program

Fees

Application fee
Late Registration Fee (per quarter)
Student Activity Fee (per quarter)
Graduation Fee
Transcript (per copy)
I-20 Form: Original Issuance
Each subsequent Issuance
Each Endorsement

$60
$20
$20
$100
$5
Free
$30
$15

Tuition

Full Credit (per quarter unit)
Recorded Audit Credit (per course)
Major Project Dissertation (9 units)
Continuation Fee (per quarter)

$220
$100
$1980
$100

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