The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary
Admissions Policy
Also published in the TCBS Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
This Admissions Policy governs the evaluation and acceptance of all applicants to The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary (“TCBS” or the “Seminary”), including applicants to the Bible College (Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, and Certificate Programs) and applicants to the Seminary (Master of Divinity, Global Master of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology, and Associate of Theology), as well as Credit Students and Non-Credit (Audit) Students.
I. Character and Calling Requirements
TCBS seeks to train and prepare godly, tested, and impassioned individuals for Christ-centered ministry. Admission to TCBS is predicated not only on academic readiness but on a demonstrated pattern of Christian character and calling, evaluated through the Application for Admission and accompanying Reference Forms.
Admission to the Bible College
Admission to the Bible College (Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies) is open to men and women and is predicated upon:
- A measure of effectiveness and fruitfulness through service within a local church context;
- Living under Christ’s Lordship, in submission to the will of God and obedience to the Word of God;
- Being a person of proven character, recognized by others as faithful in one’s responsibilities;
- Having a servant’s heart, demonstrated by personal commitment to one’s family (if married) and to one’s local church; and
- Being in essential agreement with the TCBS doctrinal position.
Admission to the Seminary
Admission to all Seminary degree programs (Master of Divinity, Global Master of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology, and Associate of Theology) is limited to men (males as defined by Scripture). This policy derives from TCBS’ commitment to operate according to the Holy Scriptures and the Seminary’s stated purpose — to prepare men (males only) for pastoral ministry. Admission to the Seminary is predicated upon an applicant:
- Giving evidence of the gifts and call to ministry, demonstrated by a measure of effectiveness and fruitfulness within a local church context prior to acceptance;
- Living under Christ’s Lordship, in submission to the will of God and obedience to the Word of God;
- Having a proven character, recognized by others as faithful in his responsibilities;
- Having a servant’s heart, demonstrated by his commitment to his family (if married) and his local church; and
- Being in essential agreement with the Seminary’s doctrinal position.
II. Academic Admission Requirements
In addition to the character and calling requirements above, applicants must meet the following academic requirements for the program to which they are applying.
A. Bible College — Associate of Arts / Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies
Applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D. Certificate of Eligibility), or must have completed a minimum of 45 quarter (30 semester) units of work at a recognized college, with an earned grade point average of 2.0 (“C”) or better. High school credentials are not required for applicants who have completed a minimum of 45 quarter (30 semester) units of college-level work. Applicants not meeting the minimum GPA requirement may be admitted on a probationary basis and evaluated by the Academic Dean at the end of the first quarter of attendance.
B. Certificate Programs
Admission requirements for Certificate Programs (Biblical Counseling, Biblical Exposition, Greek, and Biblical Survey) follow the same character and academic requirements as the Bible College, unless otherwise specified for a particular certificate.
C. Seminary — Master of Divinity / Global Master of Divinity
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, with a grade point average of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale. Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement may be admitted on a provisional basis and evaluated by the Academic Dean at the end of the first quarter of attendance. Elementary Greek (BL 401), or a passing score on the Seminary’s Greek proficiency examination, is a prerequisite to beginning Greek Exegesis coursework; it does not count toward the units required for graduation and is not factored into the student’s grade point average.
D. Bachelor of Theology / Associate of Theology
A select number of applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, may be admitted to the Bachelor of Theology (with 90 or more quarter units of college credit) or the Associate of Theology (with fewer than 90 quarter units of college credit) — typically applicants over the age of 30. In these cases, the Seminary evaluates the applicant’s academic and life experience to ensure adequate preparation for graduate-level study. These pathways follow the same character requirements as the Master of Divinity, are limited to men, and lead to the same course of study.
E. Credit and Non-Credit (Audit) Students
Applicants seeking to take courses for credit without completing a full degree program are designated Credit Students and follow the same admission procedures as regular degree-seeking students. Applicants seeking to sit in on courses as non-credit (audit) students may do so with the approval of the instructor and subject to seat availability; audit applicants complete a registration form, obtain the instructor’s signature, return the form to the Registrar’s Office, and pay the applicable fees.
| Program | Prior Education Required | Minimum GPA | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate of Arts / Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies | High school diploma or GED, or 45 quarter (30 semester) college units | 2.0 | Probationary admission available |
| Certificate Programs | Same as Bible College, unless otherwise specified | 2.0 | Program-specific requirements may apply |
| Master of Divinity / Global M.Div. | Bachelor’s degree or equivalent | 2.75 | Males only; Greek prerequisite; provisional admission available |
| Bachelor of Theology | 90+ quarter units of college credit (no bachelor’s degree) | Evaluated individually | Males only; typically age 30+ |
| Associate of Theology | Fewer than 90 quarter units of college credit (no bachelor’s degree) | Evaluated individually | Males only; typically age 30+ |
III. Application Procedures
Anyone considering admission to TCBS should apply as early as possible, but at least two months prior to the desired date of enrollment. Applications received within two months of the intended enrollment date will be assessed a late fee and are not guaranteed consideration in time for the desired enrollment term.
To apply for TCBS admission, an applicant must:
- Obtain an application packet from the TCBS Registrar or from www.tcbs.org.
- Distribute Reference Forms to be completed by references and mailed directly to the Registrar’s Office.
- Arrange for official transcripts from all undergraduate and/or graduate institutions previously attended (even if no program was completed) to be sent directly from the institution to the Registrar’s Office.
- Return the completed application to the Registrar’s Office along with the application fee, a recent passport-type photograph, a personal testimony, and a statement of career goals.
- If married, arrange for your spouse to return the required information documents and testimony.
Application fee and deadlines
A non-refundable application fee of $100 is due with the completed application. Completed applications, with all required components, are due no later than the second Wednesday of July for the following academic year. Applications received after that date will be assessed a late fee; contact the Registrar’s Office for the current fee schedule.
Incomplete applications
Applicants who are permitted to enroll without having submitted all application components must communicate directly with the Registrar. Remaining components must be received by the last day of registration for the following term, or the applicant will be assessed an Incomplete Application Fee. If the application remains incomplete after two academic terms, the applicant will not be permitted to enroll in any subsequent term until the application is completed.
IV. Evaluation of Applications and Admission Decisions
The character and calling requirements described in Section I are evaluated through the Application for Admission and the accompanying Reference Forms. The Academic Dean reviews each completed application — including academic transcripts, references, personal testimony, and statement of career goals — to determine whether the applicant meets both the academic and character requirements of the program to which he or she has applied.
Admission decisions are ordinarily communicated to applicants within two to three weeks of the receipt of a completed application. Applicants admitted on a probationary or provisional basis (see Section II) will have their academic standing reviewed by the Academic Dean at the end of their first quarter of attendance.
V. Doctrinal Review at Admission
Consistent with the Academic Freedom Policy published in the Student Handbook, applicants are asked during the application process to indicate any areas of doctrinal disagreement with the TCBS Statement of Faith. Where such disagreement is major, the applicant is encouraged to pursue theological training at an institution that would embrace his or her convictions. Where the disagreement is minor, and the applicant is determined to have a teachable spirit and is not divisive, he or she is ordinarily permitted to matriculate.
VI. Transfer of Credit at Admission
Applicants who wish to receive credit for prior coursework completed at another recognized institution should submit official transcripts — and, where applicable, a catalog from the prior institution — directly to the Registrar’s Office, preferably together with the application for admission. Unofficial copies may be submitted for a preliminary evaluation of transfer eligibility; transfer credit will not be granted for coursework unsupported by an official transcript. Full evaluation standards, residency requirements, and recording procedures governing transfer credit are set out in the TCBS Transfer of Credit Policy.
VII. Special Needs and Accommodations
Applicants requiring special attention — including seating arrangements, alternative forms of testing, or other educational or personal accommodations — must provide the Registrar with documentation of a professional evaluation of the disability, the date of that evaluation, and the specific assistance required. This documentation must ordinarily be provided at the time of application for admission. Where the need for accommodation is discovered after admission, written notification to the Registrar must occur no later than 15 days after the date of the evaluation.
VIII. International Students
TCBS is not currently accepting international students.
IX. Policy of Nondiscrimination
The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and physical handicap to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. TCBS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or physical handicap in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or other seminary-administered programs. As described in Section I, admission to Seminary degree programs is limited to men as a matter of religious doctrine and institutional purpose.
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