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We invite you to apply to the Institute of Pastoral Studies.
General Instructions
To apply for admission to the Institute of Pastoral Studies, the following documents are required from domestic applicants:- A $50 application fee (fee waived for online application)
- A completed application form
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work (transcript must show an earned bachelor's degree prior to unconditional admission to any IPS program).
*Note: faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. - Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement (Please note that your statement will be considered confidential.) Please submit your statement of approximately 5-6 double-spaced pages in length, in response to the following topics and questions:
1. Write a brief autobiographical essay, focusing particularly on what you consider key themes in your personal development.
2. Describe your current situation in your personal development.
3. Who and/or what have influenced you to pursue this course of study?
4. Describe the ministry experiences that have most impacted you.
5. Describe your educational journey.
6. How would you characterize your learning style?
7. Upon completion of this program, how/where/with whom do you see yourself ministering?
8. What contemporary issues do you see as most in need of being influenced by values and beliefs?
9. If you are not accepted into this program, what are your alternative educational plans?
The following documents are required, in addition to those listed above, for those who may fall into these categories:
- Either a TOEFL or IELST score report is required for international applicants whose
native language is not English. For the TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the written test is required. The minimum score for the new TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) is 79. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required. This requirement is waived for those who have completed a four year U.S. bachelor's degree program, as well as for those who are citizens of the following countries, or have completed a bachelor's degree at a recognized institution at which the language of instruction is English in these countries -Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
*Note: copies and faxes are not accepted as official documents; we must receive test scores directly from the testing service.
- International applicants, or U.S. residents who completed post-secondary education abroad, are required to submit non-U.S. transcripts to ECE for evaluation of credentials. The evaluation report must show that your non-U.S. education is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree to be considered for admission.
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
www.ece.org
(414)289-3400
Please request a general evaluation report and have the official report sent to: Graduate Enrollment Management (address listed below). Applicants currently enrolled in a program should not request the evaluation until the last term of enrollment, or until after graduation. If an evaluation is requested prior to the last term of enrollment, the equivalency of a U.S. bachelor's degree cannot be established or verified.
*Note: the evaluation is waived for applicants who have completed a master's degree from an accredited U.S. institution
*Note: copies and faxes are not accepted as official documents; we must receive the report directly from ECE.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Please allow a minimum of two weeks after submission of a completed application to ensure timely processing. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Contact Information:The application and all supporting documents must be sent to Graduate Enrollment Management at the following address:
Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312)915-8950
E-mail:GradApp@luc.edu
