Applying to St Vladimir's

All application materials and guidelines are available through the online Admissions Portal. All applications and documents likewise must be submitted through the online Admissions Portal. The general requirements are as follows:

• General Application Form
• Application Fee
• A recent photograph (passport/ID photo);
• A copy of the applicant’s Baptism/Chrismation certificate;
• Official transcripts from each graduate or undergraduate institution attended - these must be sent directly from the institution/s;
• A letter of recommendation from a pastor or spiritual father;*
• Two letters of recommendation from a professor, employer, or colleague;*
• A fully completed and signed background check consent form;
• An interview with the Director of Admissions; and
• An interview with the designated Program Director.

Interviews may be conducted online or during a campus visit. Campus visits, though not required, are highly encouraged, as they are an excellent opportunity for applicants to attend classes, participate in chapel services, and meet faculty members. Campus visits and Interviews are arranged and scheduled with the Director of Admissions.

*indicates that the details may vary in each program’s application; see the program requirements below.

In addition to the items listed above for all applicants, applicants to the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program must submit the following:

• The blessing and recommendation from their diocesan Hierarch. The Hierarch’s Blessing form must be sent directly to the seminary by the hierarch. (Please note that the Hierarch’s Blessing form is to be submitted in addition to the three letters of recommendation required of all degree applicants.); and
• An essay according to the specifications listed in the Admissions Portal.

In accordance with the standards of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the seminary is on occasion able to admit to the M.Div. program applicants who do not possess a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. Typically, only one or two such offers of admission may be made each year. Applicants to the M.Div. program without a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent must satisfy the following additional application requirements:

• Exceptionally strong endorsement by an ecclesiastical authority;
• An additional essay in which the applicant explains how his/her life experience has provided the necessary preparation for theological study at the graduate level;
• An additional interview with the Academic Dean;
• A proficiency examination administered at the time of the applicant’s personal interviews; and
• Satisfactory results on the GRE test.

In addition to the items listed above for all applicants, applicants to the Master of Arts (M.A.) program must submit the following:

• An essay according to the specifications listed in the Admissions Portal.

Though not required, applicants to the M.A. program are strongly encouraged to seek: 

• A blessing from their hierarch. The Hierarch’s Blessing form must be sent directly to the seminary by the hierarch. (Please note that the Hierarch’s Blessing form is to be submitted in addition to the three letters of recommendation required of all degree applicants.).

*N.B. The two letters of recommendations in the general list above, if possible, should be from former professors who can attest to the applicant’s ability to pursue academic work in theology. Contact the Director of Admissions with any questions or concerns.

In addition to the items listed above for all applicants, applicants to the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program must submit/pass the following:

• A thesis proposal; for more information on the thesis, see here.
• A working knowledge of Ancient Greek (and any other language required for the chosen thesis topic); please read more about the language requirements here.

Though not required, applicants to the Th.M. program are strongly encouraged to seek: 

• A blessing from their hierarch. The Hierarch’s Blessing form must be sent directly to the seminary by the hierarch. (Please note that the Hierarch’s Blessing form is to be submitted in addition to the three letters of recommendation required of all degree applicants.).

*N.B. The two letters of recommendations in the general list above, if possible, should be from former professors who can attest to the applicant’s ability to pursue academic work in theology. Contact the Director of Admissions with any questions or concerns.

In addition to the items listed above for all applicants, applicants to the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program must submit the following:

• A blessing from their hierarch. The Hierarch’s Blessing form must be sent directly to the seminary by the hierarch. (Please note that the Hierarch’s Blessing form is to be submitted in addition to the three letters of recommendation required of all degree applicants.);
• Ministerial Experience form, available in the Admissions Portal;
• External Review Committee form, available in the Admissions Portal; and
• A Preliminary Project Proposal.

*N.B. Concerning D.Min. Letters of Recommendation: The three letters of recommendation in the general list above should be considered as follows: 1) A Spiritual Reference from your chancellor, dean, parish priest, confessor, spiritual director, or a supervisor (i.e. CPE) who knows you well and can speak to your spiritual and pastoral maturity, and 2) two (2) Academic References from professors, employers, former supervisors, or academic advisors who know you well and can comment on your character, academic acumen, and preparedness for doctoral studies. Contact the Director of Admissions with any questions or concerns.

Applicants who wish to enroll in particular courses without pursuing a degree at St Vladimir’s Seminary may apply as a non-degree student. Non-degree applicants currently enrolled in a degree program at another institution need only to complete the General Application Form (available in the Admissions Portal), and have an appropriate official from the home institution submit a letter stating that the applicant is in good standing and qualified to take the course(s) in question. All other non-degree applicants, including students who wish to audit courses at St Vladimir’s, must contact the Director of Admissions for application requirements.

The Seminary considers applications for admission to its programs from qualified Orthodox and non-Orthodox students. In its admissions policy, as in the administration of its programs—educational, financial aid, student activities, and all others—St Vladimir’s Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, gender, disability, or national or ethnic origin. Please note that acceptance into and the completion of a seminary program does not constitute a guarantee of ordination in any Church.  Only ecclesiastical authorities have the competency to decide if a person should be ordained.