Graduate Admissions Information

Standards for Admissions

Requirements: The graduate degrees are designed for those holding bachelor’s degrees or higher.

General Application Procedure

1. Submit a complete application online at piedmontu.edu.
2. Request transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since high school be mailed or submitted via secure electronic transfer from the institutions to the PIU Office of Admissions at admissions@piedmontu.edu.
3. Submit any additional documentation required based on specified degree of interest.

Specific Seminary Admissions Requirements

Temple Baptist Seminary admits into the graduate programs academically qualified students who are born again and possess a Christian testimony consistent with the philosophy, doctrine, standards, and practice of the University. Applicants will be asked to confirm their personal belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead and that the Bible is God’s Word. Students are asked to read and support the Statement of Faith of Piedmont International University.

Notification of Applicant

Provisional acceptance may be granted based on information contained in the application. After receipt of all application materials, the Admissions Committee considers each applicant and notifies him/her of its decision. Since no decision can be rendered until all information has been received, it is to the applicant’s advantage to hasten the process by acting promptly and facilitating those whose cooperation is required at their home institutions. The deadline for all remaining paperwork is 10 days after the conditional acceptance is determined. If a student fails to provide the needed paperwork, their enrollment will be postponed to the next enrollment opportunity.

Spanish MA in Biblical Studies

1. The Spanish MABS program is designed for those who desire to pursue the MABS curriculum in the Spanish language online. Applicants must meet the general and specific admission requirements stated in the catalog, except where alternate requirements are indicated. A GRE score is not required.
2. Admission packets are evaluated and acceptance letters are issued by the Director of Admissions, with assistance from the Spanish Resource Coordinator.
3. The assessment of the quality of the degree-granting institutions and the recognition of credits are based on World Education Services evaluation (wes.org, 212-966-6311) and the Graduate Studies’ “Criteria for Transferring from a College that is not Accredited or Recognized” (Please see the “Transfer Students and Transfer of Credits” section in this catalog).

MA Ministry in Portuguese

1. The Portuguese M.A. program is designed for those who desire to pursue the M.A. curriculum in the Portuguese language online. Applicants must meet the general and specific admission requirements stated in the catalog, except where alternate requirements are indicated.
2. Admission packets are evaluated and acceptance letters are issued by the Director of Admissions, with assistance from the Portuguese Resource Coordinator.
3. The assessment of the quality of the degree-granting institutions and the recognition of credits are based on World Education Services evaluation (wes.org, 212-966-6311) and the Graduate Studies’ “Criteria for Transferring from a College that is not Accredited or Recognized” (Please see the “Transfer Students and Transfer of Credits” section in this catalog).

Non-Discrimination Policy

Piedmont International University is committed to maintaining an environment that is both loving and welcoming. Consistent with this goal and applicable laws, it is the University’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability, veteran status, national and ethnic origin, or pregnancy or childbirth. Therefore, all educational and employment decisions are based on individual’s abilities, qualifications, and agreement with PIU’s mission and conduct policies.

Gender and Ministry

The University recognizes that throughout Scripture and church history God has used both men and women for the advancement of the Gospel. He continues to do so. While affirming the Scriptural belief that the role of the pastor can be filled only by a man (I Tim. 3:1-7), the University recognizes the availability of various leadership roles that can be filled by both men and women (I Cor. 12; Gal. 3:28). All students are given the respect befitting fellow brothers or sisters in Christ. Classes that are pastoral in focus are limited to men.

Transfer Students and Transfer of Credits

Students transferring from a recognized graduate school or seminary must follow the general application policies and procedures.

General Criteria for Transfer

Accreditation status and faculty qualifications of the institution, as well as content correspondence, theological perspective, and instructional level of courses are considered.

Courses taken at other institutions (including correspondence courses) that are to be used for credit at PIU require prior approval by the Registrar.

A transfer applicant must have left his/her previous institution in good standing. A student who has been dismissed or suspended from another college for disciplinary reasons must submit a letter from the institution giving reason for dismissal. In addition, all debts with the former institution must be settled before acceptance is granted at Piedmont International University.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The cumulative GPA of the student will be based only on graduate courses taken at Piedmont International University.

Minimum Course Grade for Transfer

• Toward MA Ministry, MEd, MABS, MDiv — C
• Toward MA Leadership — B
• Toward MBA — B
• Toward DMin — B
• Toward PhD — B

Minimum Credit Hours to be Completed at PIU After Transfer

• MA Ministry, MEd, MABS, MDiv – 50% of the PIU Requirements
• MA in Leadership – 75% of the PIU Requirements
• MBA - 75% of the PIU Requirements
• PhD (Leadership) from another Ph.D. – 75% of the PIU Requirements

Criteria for Transfer from a College that is Not Accredited or Recognized

• Evaluation of catalog
• Authorization or official exemption of the college by the state
• Evaluation of faculty credentials
• Assessment of course content and level of instruction

Transfer of Credits

Transfer of credits and selection of courses are based on transcripts submitted at the time of admission. Transfer of credits should be evaluated as part of the applicant’s original admission to the program.

Nonprogram Students

Students are expected to declare a degree objective prior to enrolling in classes. Those who enroll with no degree objectives are classified as nonprogram students. Nonprogram students who meet the admissions requirements but have chosen not to pursue a degree are under no credit hour limit or language concurrence policy requirements. Nonprogram students who are admitted with GPA deficiency are required to achieve the necessary GPA over nine graduate hours for the masters degrees and six graduate credit hours for the doctoral degrees. Nonprogram students who are admitted with course deficiencies are required to achieve the specified course deficiencies in order to be admitted into a program. Deficiency courses may be taken concurrently or consecutively. Nonprogram students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Returning Students

Previously-enrolled students who are classified as withdrawn should submit an application online at piedmontu.edu and meet all admissions requirements. The applicant should request that all official transcripts from institutions attended since withdrawing from Piedmont be submitted by mail or electronic transfer to the Office of Admissions. Students returning with a GPA less than the program entry requirement or after Academic Suspension must submit an action plan, explanation of accountability, and changes to circumstances which now support academic success.

Five-Year Accelerated BA — MDiv Scholars Program

The Five-Year Accelerated BA – MDiv Seminary Scholars Program is designed for academically gifted and highly-motivated students with proven records of excellence and a clear sense of calling. The exceptional students selected to pursue this program will earn an accredited Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in just five years. Students can prepare for advanced ministry leadership either in the traditional way with a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree followed by a three-year Master of Divinity degree or, if they are qualified and selected, in the new, accelerated way, with the Five-Year BA – MDiv Seminary Scholars Program.

Eligibility

1. A high school graduation GPA of 3.0 or above
2. An ACT score of 22 or above or an SAT score (without writing) of 1100 or above
3. Written declaration upon admission to PIU to pursue the Scholars Program
4. An essay by the applicant stating and explaining the following:
   • Evidence of academic excellence
   • Record of ministry effectiveness
   • Clear sense of calling 
5. A letter of endorsement by a local church, a church-related ministry or a parachurch organization recommending the applicant to pursue the Scholars Program
6. Selection by the Five-Year BA – MDiv Scholars Program Committee

Visiting Students

A visiting student is a non-resident, non-degree seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at another institution who wishes to take a limited number of classes at Piedmont for transfer credit to his/her present institution.

Eligibility

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress at the present institution as indicated by current in progress transcript
2. Written approval of the Registrar, Dean, or student’s Academic Advisor at the present institution
3. Approval of the Visiting Student Application
4. Payment of tuition and fees

Conditional Acceptance Policy

At the masters level, applicants may be conditionally accepted based upon the information on a completed application and receipt of an official or unofficial transcript or equivalent documentation of a completed applicable degree. Students must be in good financial standing with previous institutions and may not be in default on any federal aid.  Conditionally-accepted students may enroll for up to nine semester hours. Students who have not submitted the required documentation (official transcripts and all other items requested for their particular program) by the end of the first semester and have not been fully accepted into the program will be ineligible to receive academic credit for work accomplished in the conditional status and will not be able to register for further classes. Conditional acceptance is not a guarantee of full acceptance into a degree program. Students with conditional status are not eligible to receive financial aid until a full acceptance is complete. Conditional acceptance cannot apply to Ability to Benefit applicants.

International Students

The University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

International students must show evidence of completion of a Bachelor's degree in their country of education. Transcripts need to to be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES®).

International students whose first language is not English may submit satisfactory scores on one of the following English proficiency tests: TOEFL, CPE, IELTS, or PTEL. The required minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score for admittance is a paper-based score of 500, a computer-based score of 170, or an Internet-based score of 60. Information about the test may be obtained from ets.org. The required score for the Academic Version, Band 6 or above, of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a corresponding score of 25-40. The required score for PTEL (Pearson Test of English) is 68 or above. The minimum grade for the CPE (Cambridge Proficiency in English) is a C.

English proficiency examinations may be waived for students who have completed a secondary-level program at a recognized school with English as the medium of instruction after transcript evaluation.

Financial responsibility must be demonstrated before the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student can be issued. The University must receive on deposit the funds in United States dollars to cover the cost of the first year’s education. Financial information may be obtained from the Admissions Office including amounts for all fees and tuition. The Form I-20 will not be sent to the applicant until all of the admissions requirements have been met. International students are encouraged to submit all admissions materials at least six months prior to projected enrollment and obtain an acceptance letter at least three months prior to starting their first course.

International Online Students

Online international applicants are encouraged to complete the Admissions process no less than three months prior to the expected start date. In addition to the standard admissions requirements for all undergraduate students, Online international students whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory scores demonstrating English proficiency. Financial information may be obtained from the Admissions Office including amounts for all fees and tuition.