Graduate Admissions

It is our aim to know you as much as possible, and we provide an opportunity for self-expression in responding to our essay questions. Since all students at Moody are expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity, we require that your autobiographical essays represent your own work. Essays should be clear, concise, and complete. The essays are located inside the application.

To maintain continuity and consistency with its heritage, Moody Bible Institute requires all faculty and administration to agree with, personally adhere to, and support the school's doctrinal statements. These distinctives identify what is believed and taught in our classes. 

The school recognizes, however, that its specific theological positions do not define orthodoxy for the whole of the body of Christ. For this reason, Moody Bible Institute accepts students from other theological traditions within conservative evangelicalism.

To be admitted and to graduate, students must personally adhere to and support the following doctrinal positions:

• the inspiration, authority, and inerrancy of Scripture
• the Trinity
• the full deity and full humanity of Christ
• the creation of the human race in the image of God
• the spiritual lostness of the human race
• the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ
• salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
• the physical and imminent return of Christ

Learn More about Moody's Beliefs

International applicants should consult the nearest American consulate or embassy about study in the US.

All international applicants must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language with a high degree of proficiency. Academic success at Moody will depend on the student’s level of fluency in English. 

Therefore, Moody requires that all applicants take one of the following:

• Duolingo English Test (RECOMMENDED)*
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

*Duolingo is the fastest, most convenient, and most affordable option.

For graduate students, the guidelines for required minimum test scores are as follows:

• Minimum Duolingo score of 110
• Minimum TOEFL score of 575 on paper-based tests
• Minimum TOEFL score of 233 on computer-based tests
• Minimum TOEFL score of 85 on internet-based tests
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test

Applicants should have the scores submitted directly to the Moody Office of Admissions. Applicants who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirement will not be admitted to Moody.

Exceptions to the required TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores will be made in the following two instances only: (1) the applicant is a citizen of Australia, the British West Indies, Canada, Great Britain, or New Zealand and is a native speaker of the English language; or (2) the applicant has been admitted to and studied at an accredited educational institution in one of the countries mentioned above or in the United States within the past two years at the time of application and has earned an accredited post-secondary degree. Applicants should be aware that several attempts may be necessary before the minimum score is achieved. Furthermore, the tests are offered only at certain times during the year. Go to TOEFL at toefl.org (school code: 1486) IELTS at ielts.org. Duolingo is a great self-service alternative if you are unable to make the TOEFL or IELTS test times. Duolingo is a great self-service alternative if you are unable to make the TOEFL or IELTS test times. Visit Duolingo at englishtest.duolingo.com.

International students will be required to have all documents and records evaluated by World Education Services (wes.org or (212) 966-6311) or Education Credential Evaluators (ece.org or (414) 289-3400) or any current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. A list of members may be found at naces.org/members.html. The evaluation must include a grade point average and a course-by-course evaluation. Applicants are responsible for paying the evaluation fee.

Learn More about International Student Admissions

Pastoral Reference Form

Pastor: A leader at a Christian organization with direct access/oversight into the applicant’s spiritual life can be any of the following: pastor, elder, deacon, small group leader, camp director, and/or sunday school teacher. The reference must be someone who has known the applicant for at least one year and cannot be a relative of the applicant.

Christian Character Reference Form

Christian character: This reference should be filled out by a mature Christian adult who has known you at least one year and is not a relative.

Three ways to receive the reference forms:

• Direct Email (PREFERRED) – when you fill out the online application, under the "References" section, list a first/last name and email address of both a pastoral and a character referent to send the forms to referents by email upon application submission.
• Personal Email – there is also an option on the application form to "Request PDF," in which case the forms will be sent to your email address for you to download and pass on.
• On-Demand – Download the reference forms below at any time and complete the top part of each form. Please make sure to write your name on the forms before distributing them. 
  Download the Pastoral Reference Form (pdf)
  Download the Christian Character Reference Form (pdf)

After completing the forms, referents should email the form to apply@moody.edu or the referents should mail it to the Admissions Office. Reference forms are considered valid for six months from their submission date. 

Request transcripts from the college or university where you earned your bachelor's degree or are in the process of completing it. Then, have the transcripts sent directly to the Admissions Office. Transcripts are required and must be postmarked by the application deadline.

CMHC applicants must have at least a 2.75 minimum average GPA.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Applicants are NOT required to supply a pastoral or character reference form. Applicants are required to complete a group interview with CMHC faculty. Once you have finished your application, a member from the CMHC team will reach out to you to schedule an interview.

For Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling Certificate and Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate applicants, a master’s degree is required in an equivalent mental health field (mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology).

Submit official transcripts of all earned bachelor and master‘s-level degrees and education. If you do not have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent, you must have an MA degree from an accredited school in biblical, theological, or ministerial studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A non-MDiv applicant must write a 4,000-word Prior Life and Ministry Learning and Experience Essay.