International Students
We welcome international students and have had international students from many countries join our community.
In addition to the general requirements for admission to any of the PLTS programs in this catalog, international applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Applicants from countries whose primary language is not English are required to take any one of the following English language exams: Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 110; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum Internet-based score of 88; the International English Language test (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a minimum score of 58. Students may be required to enroll in English classes after arrival in the United States if it is deemed necessary.
- Applicants must certify their capacity to meet round-trip travel costs, tuition, housing and personal expenses for the first year of their academic program in the United States. US. Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations governing F-1 student status do not permit PLTS to send the necessary I-20 form to the admitted student until this financial certification is on file with the seminary.
Financial aid and housing on campus are available but limited. International applicants seeking campus housing and/or financial aid are strongly advised to apply early for entry in the fall semester.
International applicants are encouraged to take advantage of theological education in their homelands or geographical regions before seeking additional education in the United States. The first theological degree leading to ordination is normally taken in one’s homeland.
Student Visas
International applicants must provide documentation for the Certificate of Financial Support as part of the student visa process. International applications are recommended to gather the documentation for the certificate while they are in the admission process, so that if they are admitted, the student visa process will proceed smoothly and in a timely manner. The documentation and Certificate must be submitted together. For questions about student visas, contact the Office of Admission.