Application Process

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We accept applications on a rolling basis, and we invite you to apply now to any of our terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer).

To be given full consideration for IPS scholarship and grant awards, applicants must submit a completed application and all supporting materials by the scholarship deadline for the term. Applications received and completed after the deadline will still be considered for admission, but applicants may not be eligible for scholarship awards.

After we have received all required application materials, please allow a minimum of two weeks for an admission decision. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Please review the general information and requirements detailed below prior to submitting your application.

• Application Instructions: Degree and Certificate Students

  You must submit:

  • A Completed Application Form
    We prefer that you submit your application form online. You may also download an application form and mail the completed form to:
    
    Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management
    820 N. Michigan Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60611 
  • Official Transcripts 
    Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work. To be eligible for admission, your transcript must show an earned bachelor's degree or a bachelor’s degree in progress. Certified copies of transcripts are acceptable; faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request transcripts; we have them on record. 
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
    If you supply your recommender’s email address as part of your completed online application form, then your recommendation letters may be submitted online. Or, your recommenders may choose to mail them to: 
    
    Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management
    820 N. Michigan Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60611 
    
    We ask that you submit only two letters, no more, no less. Recommenders may be academic or professional in nature. 
  • A Personal Statement
    Your statement should be approximately 5 - 6 double-spaced pages, and you should respond to the following topics and questions: 
    
    1. Write a brief autobiographical essay, focusing particularly on what you consider key themes in your personal development. 
    2. Describe your current situation in your personal development. 
    3. Who and/or what have influenced you to pursue this course of study? 
    4. Describe the ministry experiences that have most impacted you. 
    5. Describe your educational journey. 
    6. How would you characterize your learning style? 
    7. Upon completion of this program, how/where/with whom do you see yourself ministering? 
    8. What contemporary issues do you see as most in need of being influenced by values and beliefs?
    9. If you are not accepted into this program, what are your alternative educational plans? 
  • Application Fee
    A $50 application fee is required for applications submitted by mail. If you complete the online application form, the application fee is waived.
• Application Instructions: International Students

  Applicants may be required to submit additional materials:

  • Language Test Requirement
    An official TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. For the TOEFL, a score of at least 79 on the Internet-based or 550 on the written-based test is required. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required. Copies and faxes are not accepted as official documents; we must receive test scores directly from the testing service.
    
    This requirement is waived for those who have completed a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree program and those who are citizens of or have completed a bachelor's degree at a recognized institution at which the language of instruction is English in these countries: Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
  • Transcript Evaluation
    Applicants who completed post-secondary education abroad are required to submit all non-U.S. transcripts to an evaluation service for an evaluation of academic credentials. The evaluation report must show that your non-U.S. education is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. 
    
    Loyola accepts evaluations from two companies: Educational Perspectives and Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). We recommend that applicants who attended seminaries or similar religious institutions use Educational Perspectives. Applicants who attended non-religious institutions may use either company. 
    
    The evaluation is waived for applicants who have completed a master’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution. 
    
    1. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
        www.ece.org
        414.289.3400
    
        Please request a General Evaluation with Grade Average.
    
    2. Educational Perspectives
        www.edperspectives.org
        312.421.9300
    
        Please request a General Evaluation. You may apply online or print and submit this  form directly to Educational Perspectives: EP Application
    
    Official reports should be sent to : 
    
    Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management 
    820 N. Michigan Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60611
    
    Copies and faxes are not accepted as official documents; we must receive the report directly. Applicants currently enrolled in a program should not request the evaluation until the last term of enrollment, or until after graduation. If an evaluation is requested prior to the last term of enrollment, the equivalency of a U.S. bachelor's degree cannot be established or verified. 
    
    

  For more information, please visit the International Admission Web site.

• Application Instructions: Non-Degree Students

  IPS is an appropriate setting for individuals who wish to study but may not wish to purse a master's degree in ministry. Some people may already have one or more master's degrees in other fields; others may wish to "test the waters" and experience graduate study in ministry before committing to a degree program. Non-degree students have all the privileges of degree-seeking students, participate fully in the courses and other programs, receive grades for their work, and have access to the libraries and other University facilities. Non-degree students who apply and are admitted to a degree program in IPS may apply nine credit hours (three courses) taken as a non-degree student toward their degree.

  Non-degree applicants must submit:

  • A Completed Application
    We prefer that you submit your application online. You may download and application form and mail a completed form to:
    
    Graduate & Professional Enrollment Management
    820 N. Michigan Ave.
    Chicago, IL 60611 
     
  • Official Transcripts
    Applicants must submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and any graduate work. To eligible for admission, your transcript must show an earned bachelor's degree or a bachelor's degree in progress. Certified copies of transcripts are acceptable; faxed copies of transcripts are not considered official. If you attended Loyola University Chicago previously, you do not need to request transcripts; we have them on record. 
  • Personal Statement 
    Your statement should be 1 - 2 double-spaced pages and should address how graduate studies at IPS will help further your vocational, professional, and/or ministerial goals. 
• Reapplication Instructions

  An applicant should submit a reapplication if he/she:

  • Was admitted to Loyola and wishes to defer enrollment.
  • Was admitted to Loyola during the last two years but did not enroll.
  • Applied to Loyola within the last two years, but had an incomplete file.
  • Is currently enrolled as a non-degree-seeking student and wishes to apply for a certificate 
    or degree program.
  • Wants to change programs within the University.
  • Wants to reapply to the program from which he/she withdrew.
  • Is returning from an approved leave of absence.
  • Stopped attending Loyola and wants to return.
  • Graduated from Loyola and wants to return as a non-degree-seeking student.
  • Was denied admission to Loyola during the last two years and wants to apply again.

  If any of these circumstances apply to you, please complete the reapplication form and return it (along with a statement of purpose, if necessary) to Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management.

• Contact Us

  For questions about the status of your application, please contact Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management. The majority of your application materials may be submitted through the online application. Additional supporting materials, such as official transcripts, should be sent to:
  
  Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
  Loyola University Chicago
  820 N. Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  Phone: 312.915.8950
  E-mail:GradApp@luc.edu