Procedures

Leavell College has specific procedures for each of its programs.

Degree Programs:

All applications for admission to degree programs in Leavell College must be made online. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to apply. An application fee must be paid before the application can be processed. Applications require the following supplemental items:

1. Church Statement

2. Proof of Immunizations 

3. Targeted Tuberculosis Form

4. High School Transcript or its equivalent 

   I. If the validity of the high school transcript or its equivalent is in question the admissions office will make contact with the school or the academic program to certify that the transcripts are valid. 

   II. We will accept a high school transcript or its equivalent as proof of validity of a high school diploma. 

   III. Applicants cannot self-certify their high school transcripts as a form of proof. 

   IV. There is no appeal process if a student’s high school transcript cannot be validated. 

5. Conversion and Call

6. Background Check

7. Pastor Reference

8. Additional Character Reference

We do not admit students under Ability to Benefit criteria (ATB). The student’s application will be reviewed by the Leavell College Admissions Council members who may request an interview with the applicant. This Council is composed of the Leavell College Dean, Associate Dean, and two other Leavell College faculty members. The purpose of the interview is for clarification and edification.

When the necessary information has been received, action will be taken on applications by the Admissions Council of the Seminary. This Council is composed of the Provost, the Associate Vice President of Enrollment, the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Dean of Leavell College, the Vice President of Spiritual Formation and Student Life, and the Director of Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center. The Admissions office will notify applicants of the decision of the Seminary Admissions Council. The details regarding a decision of the Seminary Admissions Council are never disclosed nor discussed with the applicant. No applicants will be admitted until they have received notice of approval from the office of Leavell College. If an applicant has been denied admission, he or she must wait a minimum of twelve months before he or she can reapply. Upon approval, a full application must be submitted to the Admission's Office.

Students who complete one degree program and apply immediately for another must complete an abbreviated application.

Deadlines

An application and all supplemental items should be submitted to the Admission's Office as early as possible.  For international students, the admissions application and supplemental items should be submitted to the Admission's Office at least 60 days prior to the anticipated date of enrollment. If an applicant has experienced divorce, the admissions department may require additional forms to be completed.  

Application materials submitted to the Admission's Office are valid for one year from the date submitted. 

Students who do not enroll within a year after being granted admission to the seminary must submit a new application. Students who have been inactive for a full academic year must submit a new application and must re-enter under the latest Catalog. 

Immunizations

In compliance with Public Health regulations in the State of Louisiana for all students in institutions of higher learning, the following immunizations are required:

1. Tetanus/Diphtheria-every ten years

2. Mumps/Rubella-once in a lifetime

3. Measles - students born on or after 1/1/57 must have two inoculations since 1968.

4. TB Skin test

The Seminary recommends an influenza vaccine in the fall of each year for students with certain health concerns as follows: congenital or acquired heart disease, chronic pulmonary disorders, chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome, sickle cell anemia or other chronic anemias, Diabetes Mellitus, any transplant patient or HIV-positive patient, or any student over age 65.

The Seminary also recommends a T.B.-P.P.D test for any new tuberculosis (TB) exposure. All prior exposures with a positive P.P.D. should be followed by chest X-Rays at regular intervals.

Proof of immunizations in writing on official agency letterhead and signed by a healthcare professional must be provided as a part of the admissions process. Due to Louisiana R.S. 17:170/Schools of Higher Learning, all first time students of the institution will need to complete the Proof of Immunization Compliance. As per Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:170 Sec E, an applicant can also pursue exemption by completing a Statement of Exemption from Immunizations. The student will not be admitted into the seminary without proof of Immunizations or an Exemption on file.

Divorce and Estrangement

Applicants who have been divorced may be admitted to the Seminary if they meet the following conditions:

(a) that the marriage relationship has been terminated by divorce judgment

(b) that at least one year has passed since the divorce judgment

(c) that the applicants present evidence that they have dealt appropriately with the emotional and financial consequences of the divorce

(d) that the applicants’ usefulness in Christian service be highly recommended by a local church and personal references

(e) that both the applicant and spouse (if remarried) are committed to the sanctity of marriage

Divorced or separated applicants are required to complete a Divorce/ Separation Information Form and be interviewed by the Director of Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center. In some cases, the Director of Leeke Magee Christian Counseling Center may require the applicant to complete standard psychological tests. The Leavell College Admissions Council reserves the right to base its decision about admission on the facts found in each case in accordance with the institution’s policies on divorce.

Current students who experience a separation or divorce will be required to drop out of the school for at least a year in order to allow adequate time for the individual to recover emotionally, spiritually, and financially from the pain and scars left by separation and divorce. In such cases, the student and/or non-student spouse will not be allowed to remain in student housing. The specific timetable for the academic withdrawal and vacating housing will be determined in light of the circumstances by the Vice President of Spiritual Formation and Student Life.

Applicants who are married but living in estrangement from their spouses will be considered on an individual basis. Every effort will be made to be sympathetic with applicants, yet adhere to Christian principles and to protect the school’s reputation as well as the moral and psychological health of the student body.

Opportunities for service in local churches may be more limited for Leavell College graduates with a divorce than for other graduates.

Divorced applicants should explore a realistic assessment of the range of opportunities of service open to them before pursuing ministerial training.

Prospective International Students and the Admissions Process

All prospective international students seeking to study at NOBTS and Leavell College while on an F-1 visa will need to make application through the Admissions Office, the Professional Doctoral Office, or the Research Doctoral Office depending on his or her desired program of study. International applicants must fulfill all the admissions requirements for their desired program of study as outlined in the individual program sections of this catalog. This page serves as notice of the additional admissions requirements for students seeking an F-1 visa.

Applicants seeking to apply at the undergraduate or master’s level should reach out to contact@nobts.edu for more information about applying.

Applicants seeking to apply for the Doctor of Ministry degree or the Doctor of Educational Ministry degree should reach out to prodocasst@nobts.edu.

Applicants seeking to apply for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, Doctor of Education degree, Master of Theology degree, or Doctor of Musical Arts degree will need to reach out to redocsec@nobts.edu.

General Guidelines for Admission
International students are highly encouraged to submit and complete their application for admission at least 60 days prior to the general application deadline in order to ensure time to secure visas, arrange travel, and get acclimated to the New Orleans area.

The following items are required, in addition to the standard application items, for all students applying to NOBTS and Leavell College at all program levels:

• A WES evaluated transcript(s) for all post-secondary institutions attended and high school if applicable.

• Official TOEFL scores.

• A recent copy of the student’s passport and of any dependents seeking F-2 visas

• Proof of Financial Support

WES Transcript Evaluations
To ensure accurate assessment of international transcripts, a World Education Services (WES) evaluation, or other approved third-party service, is required of all students who have studied outside of the United States. All official transcripts from non-US post-secondary educational institutions must be translated (as applicable) and sent directly to WES by the issuing institution. This is required before admissions file will be considered complete. Information is available at www.wes.org.

Students can apply for an evaluation on the WES website, and should apply for the Course-by-Course evaluation if they have completed any credit at their program level for which they are applying in order to request a transcript evaluation by the Registrar’s Office.

Korean applicants who are applying to study in the Korean Theological Institute who have earned the requisite degree from an institution acknowledged by the Korean Ministry of Education may work with the Director of the Korean Theological Institute for verification of the accreditation of the requisite degree. Upon successful verification of the applicant’s degree, the Director of the KTI program will provide the Admissions Office and the PDSO with a written verification of the degree in the student’s file. This written verification must be accompanied by official copies of the student’s transcript. If the Director of the KTI program or another school official is not able to verify the student’s degree, the student must submit a WES evaluation as a part of the application.

KTI program or another school official is not able to verify the student’s degree, the student must submit a WES evaluation as a part of the application.

Official TOEFL Scores

The above chart reflects the required TOEFL scores based on the program level of entry. Other English proficiency exams may be taken to satisfy this requirement at the discretion of the PDSO. Applicants should work with their admissions representative in coordination with the PDSO to use other exams to satisfy the English proficiency requirement. Exams must be taken at most 2 years prior to making application at NOBTS and Leavell College.

TOEFL scores may be waived if the student has an earned degree taught in the English language with at least a 3.0 GPA. This exception must be made by a DSO.

TOEFL scores are not required for Korean students who are studying as a part of our Korean Theological Institute since these courses are taught in the applicant’s native language.

Students who do not meet the TEOFL requirements set forth here are encouraged to improve their English language skills in order to reapply and meet the admissions criteria for NOBTS and Leavell College.

Recent Passport Copies
Students must submit recent copies of their passports as a part of their admissions file. These should include any dependents seeking F-2 visas as well.

Proof of Financial Support
International students seeking F-1 visas must demonstrate that they are financially capable and supported during their studies. F-1 students are primarily students during their time in the United States and must be able to provide proof that they can afford their education and life expenses while studying at NOBTS and Leavell College. An applicant should speak to a DSO regarding the amount needed to demonstrate financial support for their desired degree. The applicant can provide proof of financial support in two ways:

1. A bank statement with the student’s name as the account owner: The bank statement should be in English and US dollars. It is the student’s job to provide the appropriate translation and/or currency exchange.

2. A bank statement from a supporter and a notarized affidavit of support with seal. The affidavit must include the following items:

   • Student’s name

   • Supporter’s name

   • USD amount of support

   • Notarization and seal

   • The bank statement should be in English and US dollars. It is the student or supporter’s job to provide the appropriate translation and/or currency exchange.

Discrimination

The college does not discriminate in admission or in the administration of its educational policies on the basis of race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin. Only to the extent required by its religious tenets and allowed by law does the college make distinction between men and women.

The fulfillment of the college’s religious mission requires the college to be the sole judge of which students should be admitted and, once admitted, to continue to pursue a course of study and to receive a degree. In the decisions, the college is concerned with the spiritual, ethical, emotional, psychological, moral, behavioral, and attitudinal traits evidenced in the student’s life which suggest a foundation upon which a lifetime of Christian ministry can be built.

Seminary and Third-Party Access of Student Information

Appropriate admissions and academic personnel have access to student records for processing and maintenance purposes. Directory information, data that normally is public information, is available to the institution and outside sources. Additional information will not be released without the written permission of the student.

Orientation and Registration

All students enrolling in Leavell College for the first time will be required to participate in online orientation. Additionally, students taking courses at one of the campuses must attend on-campus new student orientation. Students who find it impossible to participate in all of the activities during the new student orientation period will be required to participate in the next orientation period. If the student is unable to participate at that time, then the student will be charged a late orientation fee. See specific fees on the student fees page of this catalog.

During orientation, students will receive instructions concerning various phases of seminary life and will be given materials necessary for registration. Students who are re-entering will be expected to attend the first session of orientation. If applicants have not received specific instruction, they should contact the Student Life Office.

Transfer Credits

New and returning students may transfer credits from all institutions accredited by a regional, national, or specialized and professional accrediting organization and recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Courses will be transferred on a course-by-course basis according to the policies adopted by the faculty of Leavell College.

CLEP, AP, and DANTES exams may be accepted for credit provided that Leavell College receives an official copy of the scores.

Course work completed at a foreign institution not accredited by a regional post-secondary accrediting commission will be evaluated by World Education Services, P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, New York, 10113-0745. The student should send an official transcript to World Education Services which will complete their evaluation of transfer credit and forward a course-by-course evaluation to Leavell College.

In order to graduate, students transferring hours into the baccalaureate degree program must complete at least 25 percent of the degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Students transferring hours into the associate degree program must also complete at least 25 percent of the degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Students transferring hours in the baccalaureate degree program must show evidence of sufficient foundational studies to support the chosen major or minors. Transfer courses from Baptist colleges will be evaluated by the Dean of Leavell College on a case-by-case basis.

Bachelor of Arts in Music students who plan to have music hours transferred must pass the placement exams that correspond with the courses they wish to transfer. However, if a student plans to enroll in an undergraduate course, the corresponding placement exam is not required.

Students may transfer a minor in general education courses from all institutions accredited by a regional, national, or specialized and professional accrediting organization and recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Credit earned in military training may be transferred if the credit is on an official transcript from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the CHEA, or the military credit may be evaluated by the Associate Dean of Leavell College according to the standards of the American Council on Education.

All correspondence work must be from institutions accredited by a regional, national, or specialized and professional accrediting organization and recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Baccalaureate level work done at institutions not accredited by a regional, national, or specialized and professional accrediting organization and recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be accepted in full or in part, or rejected. Such transfer hours will be evaluated by the faculty of Leavell College serving as an academic affairs committee. The faculty committee will make recommendations to the Dean of Leavell College regarding such transfer credit. Students admitted under this provision are admitted on a probationary basis for one semester, in which they must maintain at least a “C” average.

Students with Church Leadership credit are allowed to use those credit hours in the free elective component of any Leavell College AA or BA program. Additionally, CLC graduates are allowed to take additional 1-hour CLC courses from another CLC program for use as free electives in their AA or BA program. 

All transfer hours must carry a grade of “C” or above. The Dean of Leavell College is responsible for evaluation of all transfer credits.

Transcripts may be evaluated prior to or after the approval of the students for admission. Following the evaluation of transcripts, a copy of the evaluation will be forwarded to the student and the courses transferred will be entered on the student’s official transcript at the Seminary. The fee for transcript evaluation will be charged. Transcript fees must be paid before the transcripts are evaluated. See specific fees on the student fees page of this catalog.

Credits earned at Leavell College and transferred to another institution are at the discretion of the receiving institution. See Leavell College Credit by Examination Policy under Academic Policies.

Dual Enrollment

Purposes of the Dual Enrollment Program

As part of its mission to prepare servants to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission, Leavell College is offering the Leavell College Dual Enrollment Program. The Leavell College Dual Enrollment Program allows high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to work on fulfilling God’s calling on their lives by earning college credit while still in high school. Approved students are eligible to take up to six credit hours each semester and may earn up to twenty-four hours of college credit through the program.

The Dual Enrollment Program allows qualified juniors and seniors to

• Enroll in college courses while still in high school

• Earn both high school and college-level credit

• Eliminate unnecessary duplication of courses taken in high school and college

• Shorten the length of time required to complete a college degree

• Reduce the cost of a college degree; and

• Enjoy an early college experience.

Eligibility Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Leavell College Dual Enrollment Program must meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in high school and show proof of completion of the sophomore year or its homeschool equivalent

• Be at least 16 years of age

• Submit an official high school transcript or homeschool equivalent showing a GPA of 3.0 or above in college prep courses

• Submit a parental/high school verification form affirming the applicant’s ability to succeed academically in college-level coursework and affirming the sufficiency of Leavell College courses for high school credit

• Complete and submit the application for non-degree seeking students at Leavell College

Optional:

Important Terms of Application

Students and their parents/guardians should understand the following application terms:

• Acceptance as a non-degree student does not guarantee regular acceptance as a degree-seeking student.

• Applicable courses may not be offered every semester.

• The student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in his or her Leavell College coursework in order to continue in the program.

• Leavell College complies with FERPA regulations. Thus, the college cannot share private and academic information with parents/guardians or high school/homeschool personnel unless the student has completed a FERPA waiver form granting Leavell College permission to share such information.

• Students desiring to earn more than the cap of twenty-four hours of credit must appeal in writing to the Dean of Leavell College. Additionally, students desiring to take courses not on the list of approved courses must appeal in writing to the Dean of Leavell College.

• Students are responsible to determine how courses taken through the Leavell College Dual Enrollment Program will transfer to other institutions or will be applied for high school/homeschool credit. Leavell College recommends that students verify the transferability of credits prior to registering for dual enrollment courses.

Cost of Dual Enrollment Courses

See Tuition and Fees

Approved Applicable Courses

All courses are fully accredited by SACSCOC and thus are transferable, though students first should check with other desired colleges for course transferability. Any courses taken at Leavell College can be applied to any Leavell College undergraduate degree. Students may take courses online or on one of our campuses, depending on course availability each semester. Students in the Leavell College Dual Enrollment Program may take 1000- and 2000-level courses.

Approved Courses:

● LCBS2320 Hebrew 1

● LCBS2322 Hebrew 2

● LCBS2330 Greek 1

● LCBS2322 Greek 2

● LCCF1310 Interpreting the Bible

● LCCF1320 Old Testament Survey

● LCCF1330 New Testament Survey

● LCCF2340 Christian Doctrine

● LCGE1310 English Composition

● LCGE1370 College Algebra or LCGE1372 Contemporary Math or LCGE1374 Introduction to Statistics

●LCPC2380 Marriage and Family Issues

● LCPC1390 Introduction to Psychology

● LCPC2390 Human Development

● LCTH2340 Introduction to Philosophy

● LCTH2336 Worldviews

● LCGE1352 Survey of Church History 1

● LCGE1354 Survey of Church History 2

● LCCF1350 Introduction to Discipleship

● LCCF2350 Introduction to Evangelism

● LCGE2390 Introduction to Counseling

● LCEM2360 Introduction to Teaching

● LCMT1301 Music Fundamentals 1

● LCMT1302 Music Fundamentals 2

● LCMT2301 Music Fundamentals 3

● LCMT2302 Music Fundamentals 4

● LCGE2343 Theological & Ethical Classics

● LCGE2340 Philosophical & Scientific Classics

● LCGE2341 Political & Social Classics

● LCGE2342 Religious & Cultural Classics

● LCTH2346 Theological Methodologies

● LCCM2352 Introduction to Mission

● LCCM2370 Introduction to Worship

● LCBS2312 Introduction to Biblical Studies

● LCWM1360 Introduction to Ministry to Women

The following courses are no longer offered on campus in New Orleans but may be offered as an occasional course:

● LCGE1340 Critical Thinking

● LCGE2310 Introduction to Literature

Leavell College Certificate Programs:

Application requirements for the Leavell College Certificate programs are the same as the “degree programs,” with the exception that the applicant is not required to have a high school diploma.

Church Leadership Certificate Programs:

Application for the Certificate programs may be completed at the first meeting of the class. An application fee must be paid before the application can be processed. Students can complete more than one certificate. For each certificate the student must complete a new application and pay an application fee. The program is available to all persons regardless of educational background. The applicant must be a Christian and a member of a local church. See specific fees on the student fees page of this catalog.

Prison Extension Programs

Students admitted into the Associate or Bachelor of Arts in Christian Service who wish to change campuses will have to reapply through the normal admissions process. Students in this major must wait one year before reapplying when changing campuses. At times, students may be limited in the delivery model in which they may take classes.