Graduate Application for Special Student Status

Pay online: Special Student Application Fee

Or mail in your $20 non-refundable fee to:

Biola University

Office of Admissions

13800 Biola Ave

La Mirada, CA 90639

Special Student Status is for those individuals who do not wish to pursue a standard program (degree or certificate), but do wish to take classes for credit. Applicants must have earned an accredited bachelor’s degree. Note: Applicants with a bachelor’s degree are considered post-baccalaureate graduate students.

Application Deadlines:

Spring: November 1st

Fall: July 1st

Summer: May 1st

International students requiring an F-1 are not eligible for Special Student Status.

Instructions:

1) Submit a non-refundable application fee of $20.00. Pay the Special Student Application Fee here.

2) A graduate pastoral reference is required for first entrance into a graduate program or re-entrance after 2 years.

3) Submit a statement indicating your reason for pursuing Special Student Status. (Included in this application.)

4) Submit an official (sent from granting institution mailed directly to Biola) bachelor's degree-posted transcript. Transcripts must be official, that is, mailed directly from your college or university in a sealed envelope. (Send to: Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions; 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90638) or sent electronically through one of the following:
National Student Clearinghouse
Parchment
Credentials Solutions and affiliate partners (Transcripts Network, Transcripts Plus, eScript-Safe)
Any transcripts received via AACRAO's SPEEDE server

*Should you desire to apply to a graduate degree program, submission of the full application and all references/transcripts for applicable degree is required.

Are you a Biola employee or a spouse of a Biola employee?*

Yes No

Graduate School of Interest*

Talbot School of Theology School of Education Cook School of Intercultural Studies

Are you applying for the Spanish Bilingual Authorization through the School of Education?*

Yes No

Desired Entry Term *

Fall Spring Summer

Year of Entry Term*

(example: 2018)

Name*

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth:*

Home Phone Number *

Cell Phone Number *

Email Address: *

Sex:*

Male Female

Current Mailing Address*

Will this address change in the near future?*

Not changing/Unknown Address will change

Date of Address Change:

Please indicate new mailing address:*

Marital Status*

Single Married Divorced

Upload Divorce Statement, if needed:

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

Maiden Name (if applicable)

Have you previously applied to any of the schools of Biola?*

Yes No

Which School?*

Approximate Date:*

Student ID# (if known):

Citizenship Status*

United States Citizen Permanent resident Other

Permanent Resident Card Number

Country of Birth*

Students with R1, R2, H1, H4 Visa Type may be eligible for Special Student Status. Please list your visa type below.

Native Language

English Other (Please specify below)

Native Language Other*

TOEFL Test

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all students whose native tongue is not English (88 IBT minimum). *Note: Some programs require a TOEFL score of 100 if you should decide to pursue a degree at a later time.

TOEFL Test Date & Score: (if applicable)

Educational Experience:

List all colleges attended.

School, Major, Dates of Attendance, Degree:*

Have you ever been dismissed from any educational institution?

Yes No

If yes, please provide details.*

Conversion and Christian Growth:

Do you know Christ as your personal Savior?*

Yes No

Date of Conversion:

Explain in your own words the scriptural basis for your salvation: *

Would you characterize yourself as a mature Christian?*

Yes No

Please explain:*

Name, denomination, and address of your present church: *

Pastor Recommendation:

After you submit this form, your application will be processed by Admissions. The Admissions office will send an online recommendation to your Pastor using the information below. Please complete the following questions.

Pastor's Name *

Pastor's Email Address *

FERPA Information

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) permits students in attendance to access their “education records” as defined by FERPA. Because of the importance of preserving the confidentiality of a reference, FERPA permits an applicant to waive his/her right of access to these references. By agreeing below, the applicant willingly waives his/her right of access to these recommendations with the understanding that this waiver is NOT required as a condition for admission.

I waive my right to access the requested recommendation*

Yes No

Personal Note to Recommendor:

Use the space above to include a personal note to your recommendor. We suggest that you let them know what program you are applying to, your program's deadline date or include how time sensitive the request is, if needed.

Community Standards for Graduate Students

Biola reserves the right to dismiss a student who, in its judgment, does not conform either to the stated regulations governing student conduct or the expressed principles, policies, and programs of the University. I pledge myself to abide by the regulations of the administration and faculty; to protect the good name of the school; to preserve and protect the physical properties of the University; and to cooperate with all members of the University family in maintaining a spirit of Christian fellowship.

Biola University has a long recognized value in maintaining certain behavioral standards that contribute to the atmosphere on campus, foster fellowship with a wide range of Christians and, in many instances, assist in strengthening our Christian testimony to our community. In this light, Biola asks its students to be supportive of this standard. Please read the Community Standards for Graduate Students and indicate your intent to abide by these agreements.

Will you abide by these Community Standards while enrolled at Biola University?*

Yes No

Articles of Faith

Please read the Biola University Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles.

In submitting an application to become a student at Biola University a student must affirm the following seven core theological components of Biola's Articles of Faith:

Belief in the Trinity

Belief in the full deity and humanity of Christ

Belief in the spiritual lostness of the human race

Belief in the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ

Belief in salvation by faith in Christ alone

Believe in the physical return of Christ

Belief in the authority and inerrancy of Scripture

Do you affirm these seven core theological components?*

Yes No

Each student must affirm that he or she has read the above document and desires to study in and be spiritually informed in an environment where these positions are embraced and taught.

Do you affirm this?*

Yes No

Have you read the Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles?*

Yes No

Are you in agreement with the views expressed herein?*

Yes No

If there are areas in which you have not formed an opinion or areas of disagreement, please explain in a word document and attach below.

No File Chosen

File uploads may not work on some mobile devices.

Reason for Special Student Status

A typed statement indicating your reason for pursuing Special Student Status is required. Please submit your response below.*

Text should be about 250 words in length.

Communication Authorization

By submitting this application: (a) I authorize Biola University to contact me via phone, text, email and/or mail; (b) I acknowledge that if Biola University contacts me via text message, message and data rates may apply; and (c) I further acknowledge that I may opt-out of any of the preceding forms of communication at any time by contacting Biola University's Office of Admissions.

Annual Security Report

Biola is committed to assisting all members of its community in providing for their own safety and security. As per the Clery Act, you are entitled to Biola University’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which is made available at https://www.biola.edu/campus-safety/clery.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of this report, stop by the Campus Safety Office in the modular building adjacent to parking Lot ‘B’ at 13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada CA 90639 or request that copy be mailed to you by calling (562) 903-4877.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus and/or in the area, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security and safety of campus.

This information is required by law and is provided by Biola University.