Each year Wartburg Theological Seminary enrolls students from other countries. Most international students are sent by Lutheran churches that are in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and are partially supported by the ELCA Global Mission International Scholarship Office. The regular Master of Arts degree program is available to international candidates who wish to specialize in various areas of theology. We also celebrate partnerships and student exchanges with seminaries in Germany, Norway, and Brazil. These exchange students typically enroll as “Discovery” or special students who join us for one year of theological study.
Entrance Requirements
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Candidates must be selected and approved by their home church or organization. A recommendation or endorsement by the bishop, president, or general secretary of the church is needed to affirm that selection. This letter should also state the employment or ministry planned for the candidate following completion of studies.
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Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent prior to entrance in a Master's degree program. In some cases a Diploma in Theology may be sufficient to meet this qualification, especially when the candidate has significant experience in ministry or church service. The Wartburg faculty will make the decision regarding academic qualification.
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Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken English. Fluency is confirmed by a score of at least 213 on the computer-basest Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, or an 82 on the internet-based TOEFL (IBT). In countries where the TOEFL is not available through the American embassy or consulate, a substitute test from the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) may be available, requiring a minimum score of 6.5.
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Candidates must be financially able to pay for all costs of education and living; or they must be supported by their home church, an outside development agency, or by scholarship from the ELCA Global Mission International Scholarship Office. If the candidate's home church is in partnership with the ELCA, the church head office should have scholarship application forms. Church leaders can obtain these forms by writing to:
ELCA Global Mission International Scholarship Office
8765 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631-4192 USA
ELCA scholarship applications must be received before October 15 for an academic program that begins in August or September the next year. Church leaders should forward applications as early as possible prior to the deadline.
Upon acceptance for admission, the Director for Financial Aid and Stewardship Formation, will prepare a student budget and work with the candidate to secure a proper VISA for study in the United States. Wartburg Theological Seminary is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.
Candidates will typically arrange their own travel to and from Wartburg Theological Seminary. Please make travel arrangements only after your positive acceptance and your VISA are secured.
Inquiries should be sent to the Office of Admissions, (see address below), or by email: admissions@wartburgseminary.edu
Office of Admissions
Wartburg Theological Seminary
PO Box 5004
Dubuque IA 52004-5004
Helpful Tools and Resources as you consider International Study at Wartburg Theological Seminary:
APPLICATION AND REFERENCE FORMS (Adobe PDF format)
Cost Chart
Housing Chart
Helpful Seminary Contacts
International Student Handbook
WTS Student Handbook
International Student ER Contact Form
International Student Holiday Form
What to Bring
Student Visa information: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
