Admissions Application Instructions

This document will assist you in gathering everything you will need to complete your application. Once you start the application, you will be emailed a link and can continue working on it at a later time. Please contact admissions@bgu.edu with any questions regarding the application. 

Please note that BGU is a global university educating students in their own nations. BGU does not provide the Form 1-20 for student visas or encourage students to move to the United States to pursue their degrees.

  1. Photo: Please upload a .jpg file. It should be a headshot of you without others in the photo.

  2. TOEFL Score: If you have a first language other than English, you will need to share your TOEFL score, take the TOEFL test, or TOEFL Waiver Statement, and email to Admissions when your application is submitted.

  3. Social Security Number (US Residents/Citizens ONLY): Please enter your social security number.  Your number is not needed for admissions. But for tax purposes, the IRS requires that BGU provides the 1098-T Tax form for every student with a SSN at the end of each year.

  4. Personal ID: ALL students must verify their identity with a government-issued ID. A driver's license or Passport is required.

  5. Transcript: BGU requires an "Official Transcript" sent by the school awarding of your highest degree. Please contact your school and request that this official transcript be emailed directly to admissions@bgu.edu. There are alternate options listed on the application if your school is unable to email an official copy.

  6. Finances (US Students ONLY): If you are a US student and are applying for FAFSA loans, please contact kathy.pierburg@bgu.edu. A notarized copy of your ID is required.

  7. Essay: In a maximum of 450 to 500 words describe why you are seeking a degree through BGU and how this educational goal fits into your faith and vocation journey. Include a description of your ministry, business and/or mission experience. Please note that the essay should be an example of graduate-level writing in terms of content, organization, grammar, and spelling. You may write it in a Word document and then cut and paste it. The Ph.D. program requires three different writing samples.

  8. Emails for Work/Character Reference Form: You will need emails for the 2 people that you will ask to complete a work or character reference form. For the Ph.D., you will add a third academic reference. Enter the email of the individual person. When your application is submitted, an email form will be sent directly to your reference.

  9. Personal Learning Community (PLC): BGU requires each student to identify a personal learning community (PLC), who become your fellow "travelers" on this educational journey. They should be people who have a personal and/or professional interest in sharing your learning, i.e. how your perspective is changing and how your courses are impacting your life and work. For that reason, co-workers, pastors and/or spouses may be good candidates. You will be asking them to read your assignments and to hold you accountable for successfully completing your degree. They will be your spiritual support and pray for you throughout your academic journey. This group will also provide BGU with periodic evaluations on your progress. By entering their email, a PLC agreement will be sent electronically to each person. You will need a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 people.

  10. Application Fee: The application fee of $60 is needed to complete your application. This is paid online via credit card or PayPal. If there are issues with your county, please contact info@bgu.edu to make arrangements.

  11. To download a request for a transcript from your previous school, click here.