International Students Application Procedure

The Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs at Luther Seminary manages the application processes for non-immigrants (those in visa categories) to Luther Seminary.  The application procedures and deadlines for international students are different than those for US Citizens.

  1. Those International applicants, whose church or institution has companionship relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission and are seeking financial support for their study and stay at Luther, are encouraged to apply for an ELCA International Scholarship through their national (home) church body to the ELCA Global Mission. For example, if an applicant is a member of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, he/she should apply through the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) following the LCCN’s procedures. The application should be submitted to the ELCA Global Mission by October 15 of the year before a student intends to enroll. The complete application to the ELCA Global Mission can also serve as an application for admission to Luther Seminary.

  2. All other international applicants are encouraged to apply directly to Luther Seminary. You may Apply Online or download the International Student Application Form and Application Supplement (both in PDF format). You may also contact the Office of Admissions at admission@luthersem.edu or the Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs at iss@luthersem.edu for more information.

International application deadlines for most degree programs are April 30 for Fall enrollment and October 31 for J-Term or Spring enrollment. For Ph.D. students, the deadline is January 1.

Requirements:

  • Completion of the application form; Apply Online or download and complete the appropriate international application form
  • Official academic transcripts from academic institutions of higher learning where you have studied
  • Have application supplement (PDF) submitted. These include:
  • OEFL or IELTS score. TOEFL score requirements are as follow:
    • 1st Theological degrees and post-master (M.Th.) 550; 213; or 80
    • Ph.D. 600; 250; or 89 or GRE score if TOEFL or IELS is exempt
    • Required IELS score are 6.5 and 7, respectively
    • Luther's institutional code for TOEFL and GRE is 6377
  • A brief 2-5 page narrative description of your history, training, experiences, and purpose for applying for the specific program of interest. This could also include the events or persons that influenced you. Include your past, present, and future goals.
  • For those international applicants requesting financial aid from Luther Seminary, complete the International Student Financial Aid Application Form by December 31.

  • All application materials for international applicants should be sent to:

    Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs
    Luther Seminary
    2481 Como Avenue
    St. Paul, MN 55108