Since the Seminary is a traditional theological college, the primary requirement for admission is the applicant's sincere desire to serve the Orthodox Church. Only with this motivation will the applicant appreciate the opportunities for learning and growth offered by the Seminary.

Application materials for admission to the Seminary may be obtained by contacting:

Office of Admissions
Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary
P.O. Box 36
Jordanville, N. Y. 13361
Telephone: (315) 858-0945
Email: info@hts.edu


All applicants must be members of the Orthodox Church.

The following must be submitted to the Office of Admissions:

  1. Completed application form (to download the application form, click here).
  2. Birth certificate (photocopy).
  3. Baptismal certificate (photocopy).
  4. Official transcripts from all secondary schools and institutions of higher learning attended.
  5. Recommendation of spiritual father (to be sent directly to the Seminary by the spiritual father).
  6. Recommendation of diocesan bishop if the applicant is not a member of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
  7. Completed certificate of medical examination (for on-campus full-time B.Th. students only)
    (to download the medical certificate form, click here).
  8. Two recent photographs (passport size).
  9. Autobiography.
  10. Application fee (non-refundable).  For international students: $40.  For students living in the United States: $20. Payment can be made by money order in US dollars or by credit card (in person or by calling (315) 858-0945. 
The Office of Admissions must receive the above documents by May 1; otherwise the application will be deferred until the following academic year. The decision of the Admissions Committee will be communicated to the applicant by mail. Applicants who reside outside the US will be sent all documents necessary to obtain a student visa.

All subjects are conducted in Russian and English. It is not necessary to acquire a basic knowledge of Russian prior to entering the Seminary’s regular academic program, although it is very helpful. Classes in the first and second years are conducted in English.

At the beginning of each academic year all incoming students must take an entrance examination. The entrance examination will examine the applicant's knowledge of subjects taught in the first and second year of Seminary. Placement of new students will be determined entirely by the results of entrance exams and documents supplied by students. Students who have taken courses at other accredited institutions that correspond to courses offered at Holy Trinity Seminary must supply all relevant transcripts to the Office of Admissions with their application in order to transfer applicable credits. After completion of entrance exams students may be exempted from attending certain classes.

The Seminary cannot provide housing for married students. Students with families must obtain housing independently.

Those students who arrive on student visas must keep in mind that they are not permitted to hold outside employment while in the US except under special circumstances. Therefore they must be able to provide the necessary funds to cover all expenses, including medical care. It is highly recommended that students obtain medical coverage before arriving at the Seminary. The Monastery and Seminary are not responsible for students' personal expenses.

Students are given the opportunity to pay part of their tuition by performing various Monastery obediences; however, neither the Monastery nor the Seminary can provide salaried student employment.

Seminarians arriving in the US on a student visa must return to their native country after completion of their studies. This also applies to those who withdraw from the Seminary before graduating.

Applicants already in the United States on a visitor's visa must either return to their country of origin to obtain a student visa or themselves arrange their change of status.

Tuition and Fees

Seminary fees are $5,500.00 (U.S.D.) per year. This amount includes $3,000.00 for tuition fees, and an additional $2,500.00 for room and board. The charge for room and board, however, may be commuted by work for the monastery and seminary during the academic year. An additional fee of $25.00 is levied for late registration. $25.00 is charged for entrance examinations. Auditors are charged $375.00 for each audited course (per academic year), not exceed the amount of regular tuition ($3,000.00) per year.

Fees for courses taken via correspondence towards the B.Th. degree are charged at the rate of $ 75.00 per credit hour, comprehensive examinations and graduation fees amount to a flat fee of $ 175.00. No more than 4 semesters of courses taken via correspondence may be counted towards the B.Th. degree.

Fees for the external program leading towards the Certificate in Theological Studies (HEGIS 5623) are assessed at $150 per course, not including course materials. The schedule of fees is as follows: $200 is due at the beginning of each “semester” ($50 per course), and $100 per final exam is due when the student arrives to take the exams.  Although students are encouraged to prepare for four courses per semester, they are allowed up to one year to take an exam without any additional fees.

Scholarships

Holy Trinity Seminary offers scholarships based on need and merit, which may cover part of or all of the fees of a given semester. Scholarships are awarded by the administration on the basis of academic status of applicants and their financial situation. All scholarships are awarded directly through the Seminary. As a rule, only seminarians that have successfully completed their first year of study at the Seminary are eligible for scholarships. Students must be enrolled full-time and be in good standing.

The following scholarships are available:

  • - Fund for Assistance to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
  • - Holy Trinity Seminary Scholarship
  • - Ivan V. Koulaieff Educational Fund
  • - Metropolitan Philaret Scholarship
  • - Russian Orthodox Theological Fund, Inc.