Garrett joyously welcomes international students to discern their future vocations and pathways to ministry. We provide many avenues toward this discernment—masters, doctoral, certificates and other non-degree options—residential or online.
International students bring a wealth of academic, cultural, ministerial, and life experience to our learning community as we help one other develop a broader, more inclusive, and global perspective on what it means to be a Christian leader today.
International students make up 20 percent of our total student body and Garrett-Evangelical students, staff, and faculty come from more than 21 countries around the world. 36 percent of our faculty born and raised outside the United States of America. We invite you to join our learning community either online or on the beautiful and historic campus of Northwestern University in the town of Evanston, just north of Chicago.
I chose Garrett-Evangelical because the faculty here are brilliant and have multicultural background. They can provide me with many different perspectives and resources on theology and religion.
Yichen Liang
Doctor of Philosophy
I love the faculty members who are continually trying to provide new perspectives and hermeneutics, friends who study with me through hard times to find our vocations, and the various dynamics that are taking place in us. In other words, I love the community called Garrett-Evangelical.
Chanje (CJ) Woo
Master of Divinity
As a missionary currently serving in a predominantly Muslim country (Senegal) and my church—The United Methodist being still young—the expectation is high. I came to the point where I felt that I have given all what I knew/had as a non-theologian, and the need of joining a seminary was almost a must.
David Makobo
Master of Divinity
Visit our how to apply page for information on eligibility requirements, the application process, and information on how start an application.
Degree seeking international applicants can begin your studies during the Fall semester of each academic year (beginning in late August). This is to ensure that you have a smooth experience navigating the I-20 and F-1 visa process and sufficient time to be oriented to higher theological education at Garrett and in the US.
A bachelor’s degree in a regionally accredited institution is the minimum eligibility requirement for our masters’ level programs. A theological masters’ degree is required for admission into our PhD program.
| January 20 |
PhD Application Deadline. All PhD applications, both international and domestic, must be submitted by this date. |
| February 1 |
Masters’ Level International Student Application Deadline. Masters’ level international applications must be submitted by this date. |
| May 15 |
Last Day to submit all documentation for the I-20. Admitted international students must submit both deposits, I-20 application, and all supporting documents by this date. |
| July 31 |
Last Day to attend a visa interview. Admitted international students must schedule a visa interview at your local US Embassy/Consulate by this date. |
| August 15 |
Last Day to arrive in the US. Admitted international students must arrive in the US by this date. This is to ensure that you have sufficient time to adjust to a new context and participate in both international and new student orientations. |
Visit our how to apply page to know more about the application requirements.
See our international student resources page for more information.
International students must show proof of English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or Duolingo test scores. IELTS exam scores are currently not accepted. This requirement may be waived for international students who have a post-secondary degree in which English was the language of instruction and for students from countries where English is a primary language.
For admissions purposes, we are willing to accept photocopies of transcripts. However, all admitted students are required to submit official transcripts by the end of your first semester of course work. Incomplete applications without complete transcripts will not be considered for admission.
International students who enroll in full-time, in-person programs require an F-1 student visa to study in the US. International students who choose to enroll in part-time or full-time fully online programs, with no intention to come to the US at any point during their studies, do not require an F-1 visa.
The MDiv and MTS programs are available to international students either in-person (with an F-1 visa) or fully online (without an F-1 visa). MAPM, MAFCEL, MAPCC and PhD programs are available in-person only. The DMin program offers an online option for the Leadership for Social Transformation and Liberative Preaching tracks. The DMin in Spiritual Direction and Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations cohorts retain in-person elements making them currently unavailable to international students.
International students are eligible to study as online students in any of our certificate programs or our offerings through the Garrett Collective. International students enrolled in non-degree programs can only study online from your home countries and are not eligible for F-1 student visas.
Yes! All degree seeking Garrett students, including international students, receive tuition scholarships. There is no separate scholarship application form, and all applicants are considered for scholarships. Scholarship award information is communicated in admissions acceptance letters. Masters’ level students receive anywhere between 50-100% tuition scholarships. PhD students receive 100% tuition scholarships.
Please see our tuition and fees page for more details. As an example, master’s level students with a 75% tuition scholarship and enrolled full-time (9-12 credits or 3-4 courses per semester) typically pay $4500-5500 in tuition and fees expenses per academic year. This amount can increase or decrease based on the awarded tuition scholarship.
The main source of funding for international students is the institutional tuition scholarship provided by Garrett. Other sources of funding include denominational scholarships and scholarships for international students that you can apply for after your arrival in the US.
The international student budget recommends approximately $18,000 for 9 months (around $2000 per month) for room and board, books and supplies, local travel, personal expenses, and health insurance for a single student.
International students who will be accompanied by a spouse and/or child(ren) should budget for an additional $7000 for a spouse and $4800 per child.
Yes, international students are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. At Garrett, international students work on average for about 10-15 hours per week and earn around $500-800 per month. International students cannot work off campus unless you receive permission to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Health insurance is required for all students. Though Garrett does not have its own student health insurance plan, all Garrett students are eligible to enroll in Northwestern University’s Student Health Insurance Plan. Garrett international students also typically enroll in International Student Insurance.
