S.T.L. Application Checklist
Create an online application for your desired program.
Click here to access the online application portal. If this is your first time applying to JST, please create a new user account so that you can log in. After you log into the application portal, please select "Jesuit School of Theology" as the application form you wish to access.
Résumé or curriculum vitae
Applicants are required to upload a résumé or curriculum vitae to provide information about relevant job experience and education into the application portal. Your résumé should include educational background and relevant experiences, including jobs, internships, community service, activities, languages (if applicable), and research projects. Writing a résumé for a graduate school application follows the same principles as writing a résumé for a job. Please include dates of attendance for education, job titles, and years of employment. You may submit your résumé or curriculum vitae with your application on the online portal.
Statement of purpose.
Applicants are required to upload a 750 word statement of purpose explaining why you are applying to this JST program into the application portal. Please address the following questions:
- How does your prior academic and/or ministry work prepare you for the specific program you are applying for?
- What are your primary academic and research interests?
- What are your plans after you earn your degree, and how will a degree from JST specifically help you toward achieving these aspirations?
Unofficial Transcripts. Please note that a Bachelor's of Sacred Theology or its academic equivalent must have been completed.
Applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of transcripts for all post-secondary academic work into the application portal. Transcripts must: 1) list all of the courses you took as a student, 2) list the grade the student received for each course, 3) indicate whether an academic degree has been awarded. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an English translation provided directly from the school or a certified transcript evaluation service.
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Note: Students who are admitted will be required to provide official transcripts verifying the authenticity of all unofficial transcripts submitted in the application process. Instructions for submitting official transcripts will be provided after applicants receive an admission decision. Any discrepancy between the uploaded transcript and the official transcript, or failure to submit official transcripts, may result in any of the following: 1) an applicant's admission offer may be withdrawn; 2) a registration hold may be placed on a matriculated student's account; 3) a matriculated student may be withdrawn from their program. |
Letters of recommendation.
All applicants will need to submit two letters of recommendation. Vowed religious will be required to submit a third letter of recommendation from their religious superior indicating congregational support. Applicants will submit the name and contact information for their recommenders who will be sent an email with instructions and a link to the recommendation form where they will be prompted to upload a letter of recommendation.
Letters of recommendation should address your academic qualifications for graduate level study. Preferably these letters would be from persons who recently taught you. If you have been out of school for an extended period of time, a recommendation from an employer, a professional colleague, or a church or community leader will be acceptable. The second letter should directly address your ministerial qualifications for admission to the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.
Optional: Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
Submitting a GRE Score is not required for admission into any academic program at the Jesuit School of Theology. If an applicant believes that submitting a GRE score will help strengthen their overall application they are welcome to do so. Applicants will not be penalized if they do not submit a GRE score. Official scores can be sent to JST using SCU’s institutional code: 4851.
International Applicants: Language Proficiency Exam.
International applicants are required to demonstrate a high degree of English language proficiency. To do so, applicants must submit results from either the Duolingo English Test or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Duolingo English Test - When prompted to identify which institution you would like your score sent to please select “Santa Clara University Graduate Programs.”
TOEFL - When prompted to identify which institution you would like your score sent to please use Santa Clara University’s institutional code: 4851.
International applicants may apply to have their language proficiency requirement waived if they meet one of the standards provided by Santa Clara University. Applicants will be prompted to apply for the waiver in the online application portal.
Writing Sample.
Applicants for the STL program are required to submit a representative writing sample, e.g., a research paper or thesis chapter. You may submit this research paper through the online application.
Philosophy and Latin language requirement documentation.
A prerequisite for the STL program is 24 semester hours of philosophy and a suitable knowledge of the Latin language. Applicants for the STL program should provide an unofficial transcript of all completed philosophy and Latin language requirements. An unofficial transcript should list all of the courses you took in these subject areas and the grade you received for each course. This can be uploaded by the applicant directly in the online application portal.