Applying for School

Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree or its full equivalent from a college or university accredited by a U.S. accreditation association holding membership in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards. We are an interdisciplinary school and welcome applicants from any field of study. We do not have prerequisite degree or coursework requirements. General admission requirements include a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Applicants with a GPA below 3.

If your cumulative grade point average is below the 3.0 general admission requirement you may apply for Provisional Admissions by completing the application process for Graduate Admission and  a graduate entrance exam. We understand that a test score cannot evaluate an individual’s character, emotional awareness, or depth of spirit, but considers them—in relationship with other application materials—as a tool for assessing readiness for graduate level study.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) measures the test takers verbal comprehension, analytical thinking, and the ability to connect ideas through a series of analogies. The median score for the MAT is 400, with a standard deviation of 25. We are looking for MAT scores falling between 375 and 425. Scores must be less than 2 years old. You must request that The Psychological Corporation send your original test scores to The Seattle School at admissions@theseattleschool.edu. The Seattle School’s reporting code for the MAT is 2499. For a testing center in your area, visit MAT online or call 1-800-622-3231.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. The GRE verbal and quantitative sections are each scored on a range from 130 to 170, for a highest total of 340. The essays are scored on a scale of 0–6. We are looking for verbal and quantitative scores ranging from 150-160 respectively and essays scoring 4 or higher. Scores must be less than 2 years old. You must request that The Educational Testing Service send your original test scores to The Seattle School at admissions@theseattleschool.edu. The Seattle School’s reporting code for the GRE is 4895. For a testing center in your area, visit GRE online or call 1-800-GRE-CALL.

If you are granted provisional acceptance, you will be admitted with an academic warning which requires enrollment in one section of the Writing Workshop and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after the completion of the first semester of study at The Seattle School.

Note: Entrance exams are only required for applicants with a GPA below 3.0

Applicants from Non-Accredited Institutions

If you have a degree from a non-accredited institution, you may be granted provisional acceptance with full admission based on satisfactory work in residence. A copy of the institution’s catalog, providing context about the program of instruction, faculty credentials, and learning resources must be submitted at the time of the application. Additional information and/or pre-requisite coursework or may be required at the discretion of the Admissions Review Committee to establish degree equivalency.

Step 1: Complete the online application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve at The Seattle School. We’ll also connect you with a member of our Graduate Admissions Team, who will work closely with you as you move through the process.

The application form requires 20-30 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. You’ll be asked within the form to provide 2-3 references and a photo (we would love to put a face to your name). A $75 application fee is required to submit your application.

A note about references: We encourage you to select individuals who can speak to your maturity and integrity, emotional and social awareness, capacity for self-reflection, theological engagement, and intellectual curiosity.

Start your application

Step 2: Gather supporting documents

The next application step is to submit two types of supporting documents for your application: past transcripts, and a curriculum vitae (CV). These help us get a clearer picture of your background and experience.

Transcripts: Submit requests for official transcript from any post-secondary institutions where you received a degree or completed coursework.

Curriculum Vitae: A CV is similar to a résumé, but with more detail about your background and skills. If you need some help getting started, you can download a CV template here. Please save the final version in a .pdf format with the title “<Your Name> – CV” and submit by email to admissions@theseattleschool.edu

Step 3: Write two essays

We require two narrative essays—a Statement of Purpose and a Cultural Artifact Engagement. The purpose of the essay requirement is to create an opportunity for us to see you, to learn more about your calling, and to experience your understanding and resonance with the mission and ethos of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.

Essay One: Statement of Purpose
Describe the intersection of who you are, the work you feel called to do, and why you feel compelled to train in your specific program of interest at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.

Essay Two: Cultural Artifact Engagement
Choose a cultural artifact from the options below and in two to three pages respond to where and how you see the categories of text.soul.culture interacting with each other. You may (but are not required to) choose more than one artifact and put them in dialogue with one another.

Film/Television
Moonlight
Arrival
Zootopia
Amy
Transparent, Season 1

Discourse
“The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power”, Gabor Mate
“Tell Me I’m Fat”, This American Life
Engage the interplay of Acts 2:1-13 and Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin Di Angelo
The Danger of a Single Story with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Essay Formatting
Each essay must be typed, double-spaced and 500–1,000 words in length (approximately 2–3 pages).
If you are applying for the MACP program, please use APA style. If you are applying for the MDiv or MATC program, please use Chicago style. Explore our Writing Resources for APA and Chicago citation guides and sample papers. Once complete, please ensure that your name is in the header of each document, save as .pdf files with the title “<Your Name> – Essay #” and submit electronically to admissions@theseattleschool.edu

Admissions essays are used for assessment and placement. Students may be admitted on academic probation and/or required to attend a The Seattle School Writing Workshop if application essays are deemed unsatisfactory.

Step 4: Participate in a group interview

Note: Group interviews for fall 2018 enrollment are scheduled on an as needed basis throughout the summer. Dates for fall 2019 admission will be announced later this summer. 

We place a high value on gaining a holistic experience of our applicants and are intentional about creating an opportunity for each applicant to be seen and known. Our interviews are conducted in small groups (5-7 applicants each) and focus on dialogue and group dynamics. This is not a competitive job interview; we are about creating a context to experience you, how you interact, and what you bring to a group and a conversation.

Each group has a faculty or instructional staff member that serves as a facilitator. Through the interview process we are able to gain greater insight into who you are and what you bring, while also providing you with a taste for the relational learning culture at The Seattle School. Following the group interview, applicants gather in a large group to debrief and share their experiences with one another.

Sample Schedule
8:30 – Registration and Light Refreshments
9:00 – Group Interview
10:00 – Large Group Debrief
10:45 – Building Tour
11:15 – Optional Lunch Outings with Current Students

Registration for a group interview is included in the application form. Your application and supporting documents must be complete to participate in a group interview. Approval for an individual or distance interview on an alternate date may be made at the discretion of the Director of Enrollment Management in extenuating circumstances.

The group interview concludes at noon, but you are welcome to spend the day with us! We encourage you to stay for lunch outings hosted by our current students and sit in on a class or two. Take a look at our Course Schedule and let your Admissions Counselor know what you would like to sit in on.

Admissions Review Policy

Candidates are selected based on their aptitude for rigorous academic work, vocational direction, life experience, emotional and relational intelligence, and resonance with our mission and ethos. Decisions are made in community by the Admissions Review Committee.

Start your application for Graduate Admission

The Seattle School accepts up to 15 semester hour transfer credits from other graduate-level programs.

Requirements for Transferring Credits:

• Transfer credits must have been completed at an accredited, graduate-level institution.
• Official transcript must indicate a grade of B (3.0 or higher) for coursework to count for graduate level transfer credit.
• Course content must be an 80% match for the parallel course at The Seattle School.
• Any previously earned graduate-level coursework must be submitted to the Registrar within your first two trimesters of study at The Seattle School to be considered for transfer credit.

To begin the process of transferring credits, submit your official transcript(s) for any relevant graduate-level coursework to the Admissions Team for initial assessment. The Registrar makes final decisions regarding transfer credit, with input from appropriate faculty as needed. There are some exceptions to the requirements outlined above.

Start your application for Graduate Admission

Seattle School students who are in a withdrawn status or have been on a leave of absence for more than three semesters; accepted applicants whose yearlong deferment has expired; or applicants who withdrew their application mid-process (less than 2 years ago) are all eligible to reapply for admission.

Step 1: Complete the online application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve at The Seattle School. We’ll also connect you with a member of our Graduate Admissions Team, who will work closely with you as you move through the process.

The application form requires 20-30 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. You’ll be asked within the form to provide 2-3 references and a photo (we would love to put a face to your name). A $75 application fee is required to submit your application.

A note about references: We encourage you to select individuals who can speak to your maturity and integrity, emotional and social awareness, capacity for self-reflection, theological engagement, and intellectual curiosity.

Step 2: Write an essay

Describe the intersection of who you are, the work you feel called to do, and why you feel compelled to train at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.

Essay Formatting
Each essay must be typed, double-spaced and 500–1,000 words in length (approximately 2–3 pages). If you are applying for the MACP program, please use APA style. If you are applying for the MDiv or MATC program, please use Chicago style. Once complete, please ensure that your name is in the header of each document, save as .pdf files, and submit electronically to admissions@theseattleschool.edu.

Admissions essays are used for assessment and placement. Students may be admitted on academic probation and/or required to attend a The Seattle School Writing Workshop if application essays are deemed unsatisfactory.

Step 3: Request transcripts

Submit requests for official transcript from any post-secondary institutions where you received a degree or completed coursework.

Step 4: Participate in an individual interview

We place a high value on gaining a holistic experience of our applicants and are intentional about creating an opportunity for each applicant to be seen and known. Individuals reapplying to The Seattle School will be invited to participate in an individual interview with a member of our Admissions Review Committee or Instructional Team.

Start your application for Graduate Admission

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States:

Step 1: Apply

Complete the online application for Graduate Admission and complete the steps for the full process.  

Step 2: Show English proficiency

English proficiency may be exhibited through satisfactory completion of the Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Miller Analogy Test (MAT), or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

This requirement may be waived if you received your education in an English-speaking institution.

Step 3: Translate transcripts

Transcript translation and/or grade conversion may be required to assist our Admissions Review Committee.

Step 4: Show Evidence of Financial Support

Completed Evidence of Financial Support form and all required financial documents. This is a federal immigration requirement and the information provided here allows our Academics Office to support your student visa process.

International students are responsible for pursuing, securing, and maintaining appropriate student visa status through the United States government. We encourage international applicants to apply at least six months prior to enrollment.

Start your application for Graduate Admission

Note: Applications for Leadership in the New Parish are closed at this time. If you’re interested in learning more about our next cohort, please connect with us by sending an email to admissions@theseattleschool.edu.

The admissions process for Leadership in the New Parish is intentionally designed to offer a taste of the experiential and relational nature of this program, while providing us with an opportunity to get to know more of you and your neighborhood context.

To apply grab your favorite beverage, carve out 20-30 minutes, and complete the online application form. The application must be completed in one sitting and asks thoughtful questions to provide us more context about who you are, the neighborhood you inhabit, and what you’re hoping to gain through this certificate program. You’ll be asked within the form to provide 2 references and a photo (we would love to put a face to your name). A $50 application fee is required to submit your application. After your application is received an Admissions Counselor will connect with you to invite more conversation. 

If you are exploring the possibility of studying at The Seattle School and want to start with just a course or two, you are welcome to apply to become a non-degree student.

Non-degree students have the same rights and responsibilities as a degree-seeking student and may take up to 12 graduate hours either for credit or audit, but are not eligible to receive Title IV student financial assistance.

Non-degree enrollment provides an official record and transcript of these courses which could be transferred into a degree program at The Seattle School or another graduate-level institution at a later date.

Step 1: Complete the online application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve at The Seattle School. The application form requires 20-30 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. A $50 application fee is required to submit your application.

Step 2: Request transcripts

Provide unofficial transcripts from any post-secondary institutions where you received a degree or completed coursework.

Step 3: Schedule an advising session

A member of our Graduate Admissions team will connect you with an advisor who will check course eligibility and availability, offer placement, and provide next steps for tuition payment.

Non-Degree applicants may be required to participate in an individual interview with a member of the Admissions Review Committee or Instructional Team.

Disclaimer: Some courses are not available for non-degree enrollment. The Registrar reserves the right to limit non-degree enrollment in any course.

Apply for Non-Degree Enrollment

If you are exploring the possibility of studying at The Seattle School and want to start with just a course or two, you are welcome to apply to become an enrichment student.

Enrichment students are permitted to attend lectures but are not granted the same rights and access as a degree-seeking students. Credit cannot be granted after the fact; your decision to receive or not receive credit is final for each course.

Step 1: Complete the online application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve at The Seattle School. The application form requires 10-15 minutes and must be completed in one sitting. A $50 application fee is required to submit your application.

Step 2: Schedule an advising session

A member of our Graduate Admissions team will connect you with an advisor who will check course eligibility and availability, offer placement, and provide next steps for tuition payment.

Disclaimer: Some courses are not available for enrichment enrollment. The Registrar reserves the right to limit enrichment enrollment in any course. Enrichment students do not have the privilege of inviting guests.

Apply for Enrichment

We welcome alumni, friends, and the public to develop their skill and knowledge through a range of professional development options. Many of our academic course offerings, conferences, and events are available as Continuing Education Units (CEU), which meet the requirements of Licensed Mental Health Counselors by the Washington State Department of Health.

Step 1: Complete the online application

The first step in the application process is completing the online application form. This gives us more context about who you are and what you are hoping to achieve at The Seattle School.  The application form requires 10-15 minutes and must be completed in one sitting.

Step 2: Schedule an advising session

A member of our Graduate Admissions team will connect you with an advisor who will check course eligibility and availability, offer placement, and provide next steps for payment.

Disclaimer: Some courses are not available for continuing education enrollment. The Registrar reserves the right to limit enrollment in any course. If you practice outside of Washington, be aware of the requirements for continuing education in your state or professional organization.

Apply for Continuing Education