Ambrose Seminary admits students of any race, gender, colour and national or ethnic origin to its programs and activities, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, colour, national or ethnic origin or physical disability in the administration of any of its programs or activities. The Seminary welcomes applications from persons of any church affiliation provided they meet entrance qualifications.

Entrance Qualifications

Personal Qualifications

Recognizing that the primary purpose of Ambrose Seminary is to prepare students for Christian ministries, applicants should be prepared to meet the rigorous demands of such preparation. Applicants must evidence a personal commitment to Christ that has existed at least one year prior to the projected date of enrolment, and should evidence balanced personality, reputable character, and a motivation to learn.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants are expected to possess a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent with at least 30 hours of liberal arts and sciences from a recognized or accredited university, college, or Bible college, and have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last two years of study. Applicants for the Master of the Arts (Biblical/Theological Studies) program must have maintained a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 to qualify for admission.

Those who wish to apply but do not yet have an undergraduate degree should consider beginning or completing a degree with Ambrose University College.

Language Qualifications

Applicants are expected to have the ability to express themselves well in both verbal and written communication. Applicants may be asked to submit writing samples prior to admission. Non-native speakers of English, except graduates of a college or university where English was the medium of instruction, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The Seminary requires that such applicants complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a minimum score of 560 on the written examination or a minimum score of 83 on the internet examination.

Student Categories

Regular Student

Students who have officially applied and have been granted unconditional admission to a degree program are considered to be regular students.

Transfer Student

Students who are in good standing in their previous work in another post-baccalaureate institution are welcome to apply. Such students are required to submit entire transcripts on their entire post-baccalaureate education, as well as official transcripts of their undergraduate degree. Transfer credits, up to a maximum of thirty (30) credit hours, will be determined on an individual basis.

Visiting Student

Students enroled in a program at another post-baccalaureate institution who present a Letter of Permission from their home institution may take the course(s) specified in the Letter of Permission. Visiting Students are not required to complete an application or submit official transcripts. Visiting Students should submit a separate Letter of Permission for each course in which enrolment is desired.

Special Student

Special student status is granted to those wishing to take up to five courses without enroling in a particular academic program. This status may apply to the student taking courses for personal interest, modular and/or conference courses. This is a temporary designation only. Once a student has completed five courses, application to a degree program must be submitted.

English Language Requirement

Because of the rigorous demands of seminary training, non-native speakers of English, except graduates of a college or university where English was the medium of instruction, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The Seminary requires that such applicants complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a minimum score of 560 on the written examination or a minimum score of 83 on the internet examination. (The Ambrose institution TOEFL code is 8915.) Applicants who fail to achieve the minimum TOEFL score, or who can demonstrate proficiency in English by other means, will be considered on an individual basis.

International Students

Students From Other Countries

For international applicants, the admission process, including obtaining student authorization papers and TOEFL results, may take as long as six or eight months. Therefore, the application process should be initiated well in advance of the semester in which the applicant intends to enrol.

Student Authorization

Once accepted into Ambrose Seminary, international applicants must complete an "Application for a Study Permit" (IMM 1294) available from Citizenship and Immigration Canada on their web site ( www.cic.gc.ca ). This application form must be submitted to the Canadian visa office responsible for your area of processing. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction confirming the approval. This letter is not your study permit. When you arrive in Canada, you must show this letter to a Canadian immigration officer at the Port of Entry. The officer will determine whether you may enter Canada and how long you may stay. You will be issued a study permit at this time.

Students from some countries may also need to obtain a visitor's visa. These documents are available from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website ( www.cic.gc.ca ) or any Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate outside of Canada, and must be obtained before traveling to Canada. Students attempting to enter Canada without these documents may be refused entry and required to depart immediately.

The time needed to process the student authorization varies from country to country; it is advisable to contact the nearest Canadian office as soon as the following documentation is available:

• Letter from the Seminary, confirming acceptance as a student.
• Proof of sufficient funds to pay for travel, living expenses, and all tuition costs. (What constitutes such proof may vary from country to country. For example, some may be asked to show a bank statement; others may be expected to submit a statement by a financial sponsor.)
• Valid passport, travel or identity items. The nearest Canadian office will confirm what documents are required; these will vary according to the applicant's country of citizenship.
• A medical exam may be required of some applicants.
• A personal interview may be conducted in some cases, depending on the student's country of origin.
• A processing fee. The fee to process student authorization applications is presently $125 (Cdn.), but is subject to change.

Employment while an International Student

International students are allowed to work in Canada only if they obtain written permission from Canada Immigration. This permission is required whether or not the student receives payment for the work. International students or their family members who wish to work must contact the local Canada Immigration Centre before accepting any work or beginning job training.

Health Coverage as an International Student

Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. Alberta Health Care Insurance coverage costs $44 per month for single coverage and $88 per month for family coverage (two or more people). Premium assistance is available for lower-income Albertans. To meet the government's commitment to provide quality health services that are accessible to all Albertans, subsidies or waivers are available for those who are unable to pay premiums.