Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing is available at Grace Theological Seminary for students who have prepared themselves in their undergraduate training for seminary studies.

Grace recognizes the level of training and study completed at many accredited Bible colleges and Christian liberal arts colleges. Advanced Standing will enable students to build on their previous education rather than repeat it. This means that they will spend less time and less money on their seminary training and more time in ministry. Advanced Standing is one way for qualified students to complete the initial phase of their Grace Theological Seminary education.

A maximum of 18 credit hours of Advanced Standing can be earned for those entering the Master of Divinity program; a maximum of 9 credit hours can be earned by those entering the Master of Arts programs of 48 hour duration; and a maximum of 6 credit hours can be earned by those entering the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies online program. Classes that are allowed to count for advanced standing will be determined by the Dean of Grace Theological Seminary by comparing undergraduate transcripts with the student’s chosen program of study.

Upon examination of the student’s transcripts there are two options for obtaining Advanced Standing:

1. AUTOMATIC ADVANCED STANDING
Advanced Standing can be earned automatically through taking approved course-work at colleges that are recognized by Grace Theological Seminary.

Automatic Advanced Standing will be granted if the following requirements are met:

a. A student completed his/her undergraduate studies at an approved school.
b. The student achieved a "B-" or better in the course for which Advanced Standing is granted.

2. ADVANCED STANDING EXAMINATIONS
Advanced Standing can also be earned by passing an examination (written or oral) supervised by the appropriate faculty department at Grace Theological Seminary.

Advanced Standing by examination will be granted if the following requirements are met:

a. A student has achieved a "B-" or better in the course for which Advanced Standing is requested.
b. The student has graduated from an accredited and/or approved college.
c. The student successfully passes the Advanced Standing examination for first year courses at Grace Theological Seminary.

The cost of each Advanced Standing exam is $50. Students must register for each test at the Academic Affairs Office in the first semester of enrolling at Grace. This test fee is non-refundable.

It is important to note that students applying for advanced standing credit must do so through the Office of the Dean of the Seminary within the first semester after they have been officially admitted to Grace Theological Seminary. For more information or to set up a meeting to determine advanced standing contact the Seminary Recruitment office at 1-800-54-GRACE ext. 6435.