Financial Support

The following are expenses for the MA degree students at the Portland and San Jose locations of Western Seminary. Additional amounts would be added for the following degrees: Portland MA Counseling students would substitute $11312 ($707/credit x 16 credits). Th.M. students substitute $8088 ($674/credit x 12 credits) for tuition while doctoral students substitute tuition as $9012 for Doctor of Intercultural Studies/EdD/PhD ($751/credit x 12 credits) and $4242 for D.Min. ($707/credit x 6 credits).

Please note that these are costs that admitted students must demonstrate they have in order to receive their I-20 documentation and F1 visa. 

Single M.A. online student coming for 2 week threshold courses

Single M.A. student living in Greater Portland Area

Married M.A. student living in Greater Portland Area

Single M.A. student living in San Jose

Married M.A. Student living in San Jose

The student must pay tuition and fees in full at the beginning of each semester. Tuition is charged by the number of credits taken each semester. F-1 students are required by the US law to take a full course load each semester.  For Th.M. and Doctor of Intercultural Studies students, a full course load is 6 hours per semester. For D. Min. students, a full course load is 3 hours per semester.  For all other programs, it is 8 hours per semester.

Students must take at least 3/6/8 hours per term (depending upon degree program) and 6/12/16 hours per year (fall and spring semesters) are required as a minimum, but 30 hrs. per year are required to finish most programs in 2-3 years.

Tuition rates and other school fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

For the welfare of the international student and because the seminary cannot assume financial responsibility for hospitalization, international students must have health insurance coverage acceptable to the seminary.  This can be coverage from your home country that covers you here in the US or you can obtain your own insurance here in the US.  Spouses and dependents are not required to have insurance, but it is highly recommended that they be covered because of the high costs of the US healthcare system. More information about health insurance can be obtained from the International Student Office.

Accepted students who desire to bring family members with them to Western Seminary must show proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses and all transportation costs for family members. The US Department of Homeland Security requires that proof of financial support be given before the proper forms for visa application can be issued.  Family members are issued papers showing they have dependent status (F-2).

Western Seminary does not have student housing. Students will need to secure their own housing in the Portland area. We advise students to work with the International Student Office in this process.

Sponsorship may be important to you. Western Seminary requires that every student secure prayer and financial support from his/her endorsing church, mission agency, or school. Prayer is absolutely vital for your success. Financial sponsorship, even if partial, increases commitment to your church and the church to the student. Costs for enrollment vary by the program of study, family size, living and travel expenses. While limited school scholarships may at times be available, students should seek the Lord’s provision first through their church, mission agency, school, family, friends, mission board, or para-church agencies.

All international applicants must show evidence of financial support for educational and living expenses before an I-20 can be issued. Serious consideration of the high cost of living and studying in the United States must be made. Western Seminary has very few scholarships for international students. Information and applications for international student scholarships can be obtained on the Grants and Scholarships page at the bottom of the page.

A student entering the U.S. with student (F-1) status may not work except on the campus of his/her institution. Western Seminary has limited on campus positions of this kind available each year. A student cannot count upon finding significant financial support by working while studying.