Online Undergraduate 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

Applicants must submit an official transcript with letter grades or an official GED test score. Verification that the homeschool has met the applicant’s home state requirements will be necessary. Generally, applicants must be recognized as high school graduates. A minimum of 12 units of academic subjects must be completed by the time of application.

Transcripts must meet/include the following requirements: 

• Sent directly from parent/administrator
• Hand (wet)-signed and dated by parent/administrator
• All classes listed by term with a final grade 
• Final GPA calculated 
• Graduation date  

Download the Homeschool Verification Form (docx)

For more information about attending school in the United States, we suggest that international students contact the nearest American consulate or embassy.

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

• Minimum Duolingo score of 105
• Minimum TOEFL score of 550 on paper-based tests
• Minimum TOEFL score of 213 on computer-based tests
• Minimum TOEFL score of 79 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. For testing times and other important information, you can visit 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. 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), 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

Candidates for admission to Moody are required to provide evidence of proven Christian character and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior at least one year prior to applying. Applicants must maintain a lifestyle consistent with the biblical standards of walking daily with Christ, a consistent prayer life, and godly character traits. A life of discipline, evidence of emotional maturity, Christian identity, and positive influence with peers are also strongly weighed in the evaluation process.

Once a candidate is admitted to Moody, abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and sexual promiscuity as outlined in the Student Life Guide is required. In addition, candidates must attend a Protestant church and regularly participate in worship services and church ministry opportunities.

Persons who are currently separated, previously divorced, or divorced but remarried will be considered for admission on an individual basis but only if all other entrance requirements are fulfilled. Please carefully follow the instructions on the application regarding disclosing this additional information.

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 official transcripts from every school attended to be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Moody Bible Institute. All transcripts are required and must be postmarked by the application deadline. Transfer candidates must submit both high school and all college transcripts of any kind. International applicants must provide an official transcript evaluation.

Candidates who took the GED test must submit an official copy of their passing score with all other required application materials. A photocopy of a high school diploma certificate is not sufficient for our evaluation. Please note that admission to Moody Bible Institute is not guaranteed by meeting the minimum requirements but also depends on the strength of other qualifications in comparison with other applicants.

Moody requires a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all academic courses. However, meeting this requirement does not guarantee admission to Moody. Preference will be given to candidates with the highest high school academic standings.