ADMISSIONS

1. General Admissions Policy

Potential applicants are to contact the admission office at Galilee School of Theology by visiting the institution and meeting with an Admissions Representative. The representative will give a tour of the campus, provide detailed information on the institution’s programs and policies, discuss the applicant’s qualifications, and assist him/her in determining the best way to meet his/her career objectives. The applicant will also meet with a Financial Services representative to discuss tuition. If an inquiry is made by phone, the Admissions Representative will provide brief information about the programs, and invite the applicant to visit the school.

1.1 International Student Admissions

GST is authorized under Federal Law to enroll non-Immigrant alien students and to issue I-20. All international students who apply for the I-20 must have proof of financial stability in order to enroll at GST.
International students can apply through the Admissions Office for all necessary paperwork or on-line at the school’s web site: www.gstla.com.

In order to study at GST a foreign student must first obtain a student visa from their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. In order to obtain a student visa, the student must first register at GST and provide the school with a completed I-20 Application, $150 non-refundable Application Fee, and proof of financial support. Upon receiving the required documents, GST will issue you a completed I-20 with an Acceptance Letter. You must then take the I-20 and SEVIS I-901 fee receipt to your local embassy or consulate with your supporting financial documents.
Before a U.S. Consul or Embassy will grant you a student visa, you must prove that you will have sufficient funds to meet all your expenses while studying the U.S. Unless you show written evidence of having financial support for the entire time needed to complete your program, you will not be granted a student visa.

As of October 7, 2008 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and SEVIS have changed the policy for F-1 Visas, requiring a fee of $200 (SEVIS Form I-901 fee). You can pay at https://www.fmjfee.com/index.html This payment will have to be made before you attend your interview with the U.S. Consulate.

For more information on student visas, please visit the U.S. Department of State website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
Please feel free to contact our admissions office for further questions.

To complete the Form I-901, you need one of the following documents:
The most recent Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility of Nonimmigrant Student Status, issued by Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school you plan to attend.
Or
The most recent Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, issued by the exchange visitor program you plan to participate in.

2. General Standards

Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic abilities, personal and professional goals, character, and Christian commitment.

3. Application Process

For Theology (Graduate) Programs
  A completed and signed Application for Admission Form
Enrollment Agreement
 Copy of College level and Master level (if applicable) official transcripts
 An Essay (Personal and Religious Background with Vision Statement)
 College level transcript which indicates Bachelor degree is granted.
 Master level (if applicable) official transcript indicates degree is granted.
 Declaration of Financial Support
 Non-refundable Application Fee $150.00

International Applicants

If you are a Permanent Resident of the United States, you must submit a copy of your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) to the Office of Admissions. No Declaration of Financial Support is required.

4. English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants for Theology Programs are required to demonstrate English Proficiency.
If English is not the student’s native language, the student may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The following scores are required for non-native English speakers applying to Theology programs at Galilee School of Theology: TOEFL(IBT) 92.

5. Transfer To and From Other Institutions

Applicants who have attended theological seminaries in the United States or abroad may be given credit for the courses that are comparable to the courses offered at Galilee School of Theology, provided that the grades received are “C” or higher, and have been earned at institutions approved by the appropriate regulatory or accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In awarding transfer credits, the following guidelines will apply:

• Courses are substantially comparable to those offered at Galilee School of Theology.
• The maximum number of transfer credits accepted by Galilee School of Theology is subject to the limit set forth by the California Regulatory Agency, in compliance with the current education code.

6. Transfer Credit Evaluation

Credits earned at other institutions will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Transcript copies must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions for evaluation.
Only those courses that are substantially comparable to Galilee School of Theology courses will be considered for evaluation.
Courses under consideration must have a grade of “C” or higher.

Notice Concerning Transferability of Credits and Credentials Earned at GST:
Credits and Credentials earned in the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Sacred Theology Programs, and in the Intensive English Program at GST will in most cases not be transferable to any other college or university. The transferability of credits you earn at GST is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree you earn at GST is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer.

7. Transcripts

Galilee School of Theology will provide a transcript of the student’s academic record upon written request by the student. Transcripts issued to the student are marked “Issued to Student.” Students are allowed one transcript at no charge. There is a $5.00 fee for each additional transcript. An official copy will be mailed to the appropriate person and/or institution. An unofficial copy can be send and given directly to a student, with the word “unofficial” stamped on the transcript. Transcripts will be denied if the student has an outstanding balance against her/his account, or if any records are on hold, or there is missing documentation. The school keeps academic transcripts for a period of 50 years.