Graduate Degrees

• 9 course hours in the field of religion
• MACM - at least 3 hours must be upper-level
• MATS - at least 6 hours must be upper-level
• minimum cumulative overall grade point average of 2.75 or a grade point average of 3.00 in the last 60 hours of coursework

• Complete an application
• Submit $50 Application Fee (You may use the Pay My Bill page to pay)
• Submit official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Submit a resume that includes an autobiographical essay which must include a personal statement of the applicant’s academic pilgrimage, spiritual pilgrimage, academic goals, and why ETBU was chosen.

Leveling Coursework

Any deficiency in hours must be satisfied by taking appropriate undergraduate courses. Substitution and/or equivalency decisions for prerequisite courses or transfer of any graduate hours must receive the approval of the program director and the Dean.

Provisional Admissions

Provisional admission to either the Master of Arts in Religion or the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry may be granted to applicants who have the program prerequisites, receive the endorsement of the program director, but are deficient in one of the following graduate admission criteria or its equivalent: 

• A minimum cumulative overall grade point average of 2.75.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.00 in the field of religion.

The required endorsement may be granted following a review of all relevant factors and when, in the judgment of the program director, there is sufficient evidence to clearly suggest the potential for success in a graduate-level program. An interview may be required at the discretion of the program director. Students granted provisional admission must maintain a 2.75 grade point average during their first nine hours of graduate work to be eligible to receive full admission and continue graduate study. If, after nine hours, a student fails to achieve a 2.75 grade point average, he/she will be ineligible to continue in the program and will be notified in writing.

There are a number of scholarship opportunities for ETBU graduate students who are preparing for church-related vocations in Christian ministry. Information for each of these scholarships can be found below.

ETBU Tuition Scholarship

Award: Covers full amount of tuition (36-hour maximum).

Eligibility and Application: ETBU graduate (May 2017 or later) and meets all the requirements of the BGCT Ministerial Scholarship.

BGCT Ministerial Scholarship

Award: Tuition scholarship of $100 per semester hour enrolled for students who do not qualify for the ETBU Tuition Scholarship, or who are pursuing a dual degree (MACM/MBA) past the 36-hour maximum.

Eligibility and Application: Meets all the requirements of the BGCT Ministerial Scholarship. ETBU graduates before May 2017, and graduates from other colleges and universities are eligible to receive this award.

Church Endorsement Scholarship

Award: One-third tuition scholarship per semester hour enrolled.

Eligibility: Endorsement letter from the student’s home church or current church stating that the student is a member in good standing and is a good fit for ministerial studies and work. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with the ETBU Tuition Scholarship.

Application: Church endorsement letter should be sent to gradadmissions@etbu.edu.

Deadlines:

• Fall classes: August 1
• Spring: December 1
• Summer: May 1

Church Matching Scholarship

Award: ETBU will match designated Christian church gifts for ETBU students up to, but not exceeding $2,000 per academic year per student. Please note: ETBU scholarships may not exceed the cost of tuition.

Eligibility: The scholarship program only matches funds from Christian churches that hold Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior. Gifts from denominations (e.g. Baptist General Convention of Texas, United Methodist Conference, etc.) or para-church organizations (e.g. Campus Crusade for Christ, BSM, Focus on the Family, etc.) are not included in this matching gift program. The scholarship may not be used in lieu of compensation for working or volunteering at the church.

Application: Complete Church Matching Scholarship form.

Deadline: June 1

Camp Matching Scholarship

Award: ETBU will match designated Christian camp gifts for ETBU students up to, but not exceeding $1,000 per academic year per student. Please note: ETBU scholarships may not exceed the cost of tuition.

Eligibility: The scholarship program only matches funds from Christian camps that hold Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior. Gifts from denominations (e.g. Baptist General Convention of Texas, United Methodist Conference, etc.) or para-camp organizations (e.g. Campus Crusade for Christ, BSM, Focus on the Family, etc.) are not included in this matching gift program. This is a matching scholarship program for individual Christian camps only. The recommended student must have been employed as a camp staff member for at least one summer at the camp or must currently be employed as a year-round staff member at the camp, which is funding the scholarship. The scholarship may not be used in lieu of compensation for working or volunteering at the camp.

Application: Complete Camp Matching Scholarship form.

Deadline: June 1

Financial Aid is available to graduate students in the form of unsubsidized Direct loans.

For more information on total financial aid packages, please contact the ETBU Financial Aid Office at 903.923.2138 or visit Financial Aid.

ETBU offers a 5-month payment plan for Fall and Spring enrollment. The first payment would be due on July 31, and then on the last day of August, September, October, and November. The spring payment plan would begin on December 31, and then on the last day of January, February, March, and April.

For more information on payment plans, please contact the ETBU Business Office at 903.923.2055 or visit the Payment Options page.

Although every effort is made to keep the latest information on this page, tuition and fees are subject to change without notification on the web site. For a complete listing of fees, please see the current Catalog or contact the Business Office for more information.