Undergraduate Admissions

Elementary Education program applicants are required to take one of these tests no later than the early part of their senior year in high school so that the results can be sent to the Admissions Office by the application deadline. Consult with your high school guidance counselor for testing information.

The Moody code number for reporting ACT is 1088 and for SAT is 1486. 

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 be 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

Moody recognizes homeschooling as a viable educational alternative and welcomes applications from qualified homeschool students. Please submit an official transcript or a GED. If applying as an Elementary Education major, a student’s ACT or SAT score must also be submitted for evaluation. Verification that the homeschool has met the applicant's home state requirements for graduation will be required.

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.

Applicants should be aware that they may need to take one or more tests multiple times before achieving the required minimum score. Also, 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 applications will not be considered for admission until the exam results are received and evaluated by Moody. Moody offers no English training programs.

International students are required to have all academic documents and records evaluated by The Evaluation Company or Education Credential Evaluators 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.

In addition to the standard Moody Bible Institute admission requirements, students interested in Elementary Education are required to submit official ACT, SAT, or PRAXIS testing scores:

• ACT composite of at least 22 and ACT writing score of at least 6 for tests taken September 10, 2016, or after.
• SAT combined score (evidence-based reading and writing plus mathematics) of at least 1110 and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language test for tests taken on or after March 5, 2016.
• Acceptable Praxis scores:
  • Core Academic Skills for Educators:  Reading # 5713 – required score is 156
  • Core Academic Skills for Educators:  Writing –#5723 – required score is 162
  • Core Academic Skills for Educators:  Math # 5733 – required score is 150

Learn more about International Student Admissions

In addition to the general admission requirements for Moody Bible Institute, students applying for a music major (Bachelor of Arts in Music-Music Ministry or Bachelor of Music-Worship and Media Arts) need to fulfill the below conditions.

After completing the online application, an audition form should be completed based on the degree you have applied for. An audition is required for the Music Ministry Degree and for the Worship and Media Arts Degree. Auditions can be completed in-person on campus or recorded virtually and submitted online. Please contact musicadmissions@moody.edu for the audition form and all other audition information.

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. All transcripts are required and must be postmarked by the application deadline. Transfer candidates must submit both high school and college transcripts if a bachelor’s degree has not been obtained. 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 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.