Frequently Asked Questions

An accepted student can defer admission to any semester up to a year after their original acceptance term. Please notify the Admissions Officein writing if you plan to defer.

The seminary is a member of two major consortiums.  The Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium, gives GCTS students in Hamilton and Boston the opportunity to take courses at major theological schools in the Boston area, including Boston University, Harvard Divinity, and Boston College. Click here for more information on the BTI.

The seminary is also a member of the Carolina Theological Consortium, which includes Reformed Theological Seminary, Erskine Theological Seminary, and the Seminary & School of Missions of Columbia International University.  Click here for more information on the CTC.

These consortiumsopen up a wide range of specialty courses not available at Gordon-Conwell and grants cross-registration privileges and inter-library exchanges. Cross registration does require approval from both institutions, and the forms required for cross registering can be found here.

We offer classes in three formats: live, digital-live, and asynchronous.
Live classes are held on-campus and require in-person attendance.

Digital-live classes are held online, but in real-time. Many digital-live classes are hosted on one of our campuses and could also be attended in-person if preferred. Students attend class at the scheduled time either in-person or online.

Asynchronous classes are completed online with pre-recorded lectures. These classes allow for flexibility as students customize their own schedule with no live attendance required.

es, online students have opportunities to connect with others! We host Soul Care groups, community life events, dean’s forums, and geographically specific student hubs throughout the year.

Special Students are qualified students not wishing to enter a specific degree program. Credit is earned and standard tuition ratesapply. The number of applicable credit hours earned as a special student shall not exceed one-third of any given degree program. Special students may later apply for degree candidate status through the Admissions Office.

Visiting Students are current students in good standing at another seminary. Visiting students are welcome to take classes at Gordon-Conwell. Please consult the application instructions for the proper procedures.

Auditors are divided into two categories: Courtesy and Official. Courtesy audits are available to students, staff, faculty, as well as their respective spouses, and they are available to alumni and local pastors.  There is no charge for courtesy audits, and eligible persons may take one course per semester. All interested parties must register through the Registration Office prior to attending class and must attend class in-person. Courtesy audits are not recorded on a transcript. Official audits are available to regularly admitted students by paying the audit fee and receiving approval from the Registration Office.

Individuals not enrolled in a degree program and wishing to enroll as official auditors must complete an application and supply supporting documentation as outlined in the application. Official audits will be recorded on a transcript.

If you took classes over two years ago, but less than five, the Registration Office can reactivate your status.  Please completea Student Reactivation Request form. 

If you have not taken a class in 5 or more years, you will need to complete a full application to be readmitted. Please contact the Admissions Office to begin this process.

The Partnership Programis a great opportunity for online students to receive a full-tuition scholarship, while also learning about financial stewardship and fundraising.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus or property owned or controlled by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault. You can obtain a paper copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety, Campus Safety, or by accessing an electronic copy here.

Yes, we offer select full-tuition scholarships for international students beginning their programs in the Fall term, in-person at our campus in Hamilton MA. Click here for a list of available scholarships. These opportunities are very competitive.