Graduate Admissions

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the following changes have been made to the graduate application requirements:

Duolingo English Test accepted for International Students:

We will accept Duolingo tests, With a minimum score of 110 (115 minimum for CMHC applicants), as proof of English proficiency. You can access the test here: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/.

To be admitted and to graduate, students must personally adhere to and support the Doctrinal Qualifications for Students.

It is our aim to know you as much as possible, and we provide an opportunity for self-expression in responding to our essay questions. Since all students at Moody are expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity we require that your autobiographical essays be your own work. Essays should be clear, concise, and complete.The essays are located inside the application.

Download the reference forms below and complete the top part of each form. Please make sure to write your name on the forms before distributing them. After completing the forms, referents should email the form to apply@moody.edu or the referents should mail it to the Admissions Office. Reference forms are considered valid for 6 months from their submission date. 

Pastoral Reference Form

Pastoral: A leader at a Christian organization with direct access/oversight into the applicant’s spiritual life, and can be any of the following: Pastor, Elder, Deacon, Small Group Leader, Camp Director, and/or Sunday School Teacher. It must be someone who has known the applicant for at least one year and cannot be a relative of the applicant.

To download the form, click here.

Christian Character Reference Form

Christian Character: This reference should be filled out by a mature Christian adult who has known you at least one year and is not a relative of the applicant.

To download the form, click here.

Request transcripts from the college or university where bachelor's degree was earned or is in progress and have the transcripts sent directly to the Admissions Office of Moody Bible Institute. Transcripts are required and must be postmarked by the application deadline.

International applicants should consult the nearest American consul or embassy regarding study in the United States. All international applicants must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language with a high degree of proficiency. Academic success at Moody will depend on the student’s level of fluency in English. Therefore, all applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and have the scores submitted directly to the Office of Admissions. A minimum TOEFL score of 575 on paper-based tests, 233 on computer-based tests, 85 on internet-based tests. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or a minimum duolingo score of 110 is required. Applicants who do not meet a minimum English proficiency requirement will not be admitted.

Exceptions to the required TOEFL, IELTS, or duolingo test scores will be made in the following two instances only: (1) the applicant is a citizen of Australia, the British West Indies, Canada, Great Britain, or New Zealand and is a native speaker of the English language; or (2) the applicant has been admitted to and studied at an accredited educational institution in one of the countries mentioned above or in the United States within the past two years at the time of application and has earned an accredited post-secondary degree. Applicants should be aware that several attempts may be necessary before the minimum score is achieved. Furthermore, the tests are offered only at certain times during the year. Go to TOEFL at toefl.org (school code: 1486) IELTS at ielts.org, or duolingo at englishtest.duolingo.com/.

International students will be required to have all documents and records evaluated by World Education Services (wes.org or (212) 966-6311) or Education Credential Evaluators (ece.org or (414) 289-3400) or any current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. A list of members may be found at naces.org/members.html. The evaluation must include a grade point average and a course-by-course evaluation. Applicants are responsible for paying the evaluation fee.

CMHC applicants must have at least at 2.75 minimum average GPA.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Applicants are NOT required to supply a paper pastoral or character reference form. Applicants are required to complete a group interview with CMHC faculty. Once you have finished your application a member from the CMHC team will reach out to you to schedule an interview.

Note: Our CMHC programs are only offered at our Chicago and Michigan campuses.

Submit official transcripts of all earned bachelor and master-level degrees and education. If an applicant does not have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent, the applicant must have an MA degree from an accredited school in biblical, theological, or ministerial studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The non-MDiv applicant must write a 4000-word Prior Life and Ministry Learning and Experience Essay.

For Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling Certificate and Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate Applicants

A master’s degree in an equivalent mental health field (mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology) is required.