Thank you for your interest in Wheaton College Graduate School. Our goal is to do everything we can to help you understand and complete the process of coming to Wheaton College Graduate School with these three steps. It is important that you follow each step carefully.
Step 1: Consider the Appropriateness of Wheaton College Graduate School
Introduction
Before you begin, we recommend finding out more about Wheaton College and our graduate programs. Wheaton College is a Christian liberal arts college and our mission is to serve Jesus Christ and advance His Kingdom through excellence in liberal arts and graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society worldwide. Wheaton College Graduate School offers three doctoral degrees and a variety of masters degree programs in the area of Biblical and Theological Studies, Psychology, TESOL & Intercultural Studies, Evangelism and Leadership, Teaching, Higher Education & Student Development, and Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership. We do not offer graduate degrees in technical or business fields.
Educational Requirements
A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent, with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Wheaton is a Christian liberal arts college (university level). We do not offer graduate degrees in technical or business fields. Read more about educational requirements.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate proficiency by submitting scores from either the TOEFL exam, IELTS exam or DuoLingo exam. The following requirements apply to all international students and U.S. permanent residents whose native language is not English. Applicants who do not meet minimum English proficiency requirements will not be admitted. Read more about english proficiency.
Financial Requirements
For many international students, financing an education is a challenge. International students are responsible for financing their own education. Read more about financial requirements.
Billy Graham Scholarship Program
The Billy Graham Scholarship program offers financial assistance to carefully selected students who have completed at least two years of Christian service in their national church context and are affiliated with a Christian organization or national denomination which will indicate officially its future plans for an applicant's ministry. Application for the Graham Scholarship is not handled by the Graduate Admissions Office.
It is a separate process and materials are not interchangeable. Scholarship correspondence should be directed to:
April McLaughlin
Billy Graham Center Scholarship Program Coordinator
501 College Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187-5593.
email: bgc.scholarship@wheaton.edu
Step 2: Apply
Formal Graduate Application
The international graduate application is now online. The deadline for submitting the M.A. application is January 1. That means all application materials (application, references, TOEFL scores, official transcripts) should be returned to the Graduate Admissions Office by that date. International applicants will be admitted for the fall semester only. The fall semester begins in late August. Read more about application information.
Admissions Decision
If you are offered admission to a graduate degree program at Wheaton, please follow all the instructions provided in the admission letter and Notification of Acceptance.
Certification of Finances and I-20 Information
Upon acceptance into the Graduate School, you will receive a Certification of Finances to fill out. Provide bank/sponsor information, and pay an advanced deposit. Once these items are submitted, Tristan O’Brien (Manager for Graduate Students) will review your file, then process a financial clearance for an I-20 to be issued. Admitted students must complete the certification of finance by the deadline they have received. For most students, the deadline is June 1. The college will hold the remaining funds from your deposit and apply them to your bill at the appropriate time. The amount that exceeds your bill will be available for your access through your student account once you arrive.
Step 3: Plan Your Trip to Wheaton
Student Visa (F-1)
The I-20 is an official document of the United States Government granting you permission to apply for an F-1 student visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest you. Once you have a visa, you can make final travel arrangements to come to the U.S. Please notify the Graduate Student Life regarding the time of your arrival into the U.S. All new international students are required to be on campus two weeks prior to the start of classes to participate in an orientation program that will help facilitate their adjustment to life in the United States. Please visit International Student Services for more helpful information and necessary steps for your transition. All questions concerning your transition to the U.S. should be directed to the International Graduate Student Coordinator.
Employment
International students are not allowed to work in the U.S. except on the campus where they are registered. It is also advised that international students do not work more than 20 hours per week. Accompanying spouses are not permitted to work in the U.S. unless they are also full-time students. See more details here.
Important Contacts
International Graduate Admissions Counselor
Yuli To
Phone: 630.752.5984
Email: yuli.to@wheaton.edu
Student Financial Services, Manager for Graduate Students
Tristan O'Brien
Phone: 630.752.5056
Email: tristan.obrien@wheaton.edu
Director of Graduate Student Life
Cheryl Margason
Phone: 630.752.7954
Email: cheryl.margason@wheaton.edu
BG Scholarship Program Coordinator
April McLaughlin
Billy Graham Center
Phone: 630.752.5903
Email: bgc.scholarship@wheaton.edu
