Procedures

  • The applicant may request an application form from the local Baptist seminary or from the Associate Dean of the Area Learning Center where he or she wishes to study.  The applicant shall send the completed application form along with:  the two unmounted 1" x 1" photographs, one single space typed statement of the student’s conversion and call to the ministry, and the application fee to the Area Learning Center where he or she wishes to study.
  • After notification by the Associate Dean, all applicants will submit the following documents:
    • Transcripts of the Th.B. or B.A. and M.Div. or M.R.E. degrees (or equivalent courses of study).
    • Certificate of a physical examination (including chest x-ray) completed within the previous two months.
    • Letter of recommendation from denominational body (convention, association, etc.) or foreign mission body (if no denominational body exists).
    • Score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless study will be done in another language, in which case an English Reading Examination will be given by ABGTS.  A minimum TOEFL score of 500 is required for admission and 480 for probationary admission contingent upon doing satisfactory work during the first term.
    • Applicants for the D.Min. D.Miss, D.R.E. and Th.D. degrees will submit an additional essay describing their view of Christian ministry.  The essay will not be less than ten pages type-written (double spaced).  The essay will include the following:     (a) the applicant’s experience in discipleship, (b) the applicant’s experience in the ministry, (c) the applicant’s understanding of vocation, and (d) the applicant’s rationale for entering the doctoral program.
  • Out-of-country students must submit all documents at least three months in advance and in-country students to two months in advance of registration.  After the required documents have been submitted and the evaluation forms received, doctoral degree applicants will take a doctoral entrance examination in theology.
  • The Faculty of the Area Learning Center and the Associate Dean will meet to formulate a recommendation concerning the admission of the applicant.  The Associate Dean will forward to the Dean the following items for final approval:  the recommendation of the Faculty; a photocopy of the student’s application form noting the dates the application requirements were fulfilled; a photograph of the student; a copy of the student’s M.Div., M.R.E. or equivalent transcript; a TOEFL score; and entrance examination scores such the English Exam score for non-English students  and/or the Entrance Examination in Theology score for doctoral level programs.
  • The ABGTS Dean will notify the Associate Dean of the applicant’s admission status.  Finally, the Associate Dean will in turn notify the applicant.

 Completion of personal information file

​The applicant will complete an application form.  Submit all the necessary documents which include official transcripts and a health examination report. Five references are required including the principal, president or academic dean of the seminary where the applicant last graduated, a seminary or bible college teacher, the pastor-in-charge where the applicant is a church member, a co-worker where the applicant is presently serving or most recently served, a Christian in the community where the applicant is residing.   The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the competencies in:
  •  Personal integrity                  
  •  Commitment to ministry            
As for references, the admission board of the ALC including the Associate Dean and the two ALC faculty members will serve as admission committee for the applicant.  The priority of the requirements will be;
  • Personal integrity
  • Commitment to ministry
  • Critical thinking
  • Comprehension
  • Communication
  • Appropriate knowledge
  • English/Native language proficiency
The committee may grant one of the following three status to an applicant:
1.  Admission 
2.  Admission with conditions** 
3.  Not for admission
** Conditions should be stated clearly with a timeline for review.  An admission report should be submitted to Headquarters in Hong Kong.

Other Entrance Requirements

1. On-the-spot Essay Writing​

All applicants will write an essay using either the native language or English on a topic assigned by the faculty of ABGTS. The topic will be an integration of theological studies and ministries, educational theories applied to church context, or missiological principles to field praxis.  The essay should be from 1,000 to 2000 words in English or in native language.  The essay will be locally administered by faculty or persons authorized by ABGTS. The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the following competencies:
  • Critical thinking         
  • Language proficiency      
  • Communication           
  • Comprehension            

2. Previously Submitted Research Paper

The application will include a previously submitted research paper for coursework or other purposes such as journal submission or conference presentation.  The paper can be either in English or in native language and it should be at least from 25-35 pages in length.  The topic should be related to the major area of study. The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the competencies in:
  • Critical thinking             
  • Language proficiency           
  • Comprehension
  • Communication

3. TOEFL/English Translation Exam

The TOFEL requirement is only applied to those who plan to use English as the language medium for the dissertation, thesis or project writing.  However, as applicable all applicants will translate an English article into the native language or the official language of the resident country.  The article will be selected from a current field of study of the applicant’s major interest.  The Associate Dean of the applicant’s Area Learning Center will be responsible in selecting and assessing the translation. The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the competencies in:
  • Critical thinking                           
  • Language proficiency(English/native)          
  • Comprehension                             
  • Communication                             

4. Comprehensive Theological Entrance Examination

  • The examination evaluates the applicant’s learning competency for advanced study in the major field; the examination will stress on applying principles to a context rather than mere knowledge recall.  A preparation guide will be given to the applicant at least six weeks before the date of examination.  The examination will be conducted to applicants for the study programs of Doctor of Theology, Doctor of Religious Education, Doctor of Missiology, and Doctor of Ministry only. The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the competencies in:
  •  Critical thinking              
  •  Language proficiency          
  •  Comprehension    
  •  Appropriate knowledge         

5. ​Interview

An on-site or teleconference interview will be conducted by the Associate Dean with at least two faculty members of the ALC where the applicant intends to work or where the major professor resides. The interview is conducted after all the references have been submitted.  If the applicant is married, the spouse should be invited to attend the interview with the applicant.  The references and the applicant’s written testimony on the call to ministry will be reviewed during the interview process. The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the competencies in:
  •  Personal integrity                  
  •  Commitment to ministry             
  •  Communication