Admissions FAQ

• That’s a tough question. All of our majors are great. But if we must rank them, our most attended are: Business, Bible, Liberal Arts, Communication, and Biology. If you break it down into specific emphasis programs: Accounting, Pre-Physical Therapy, Teacher Education, Biblical Counseling, Business Management, and Computer Science are some of the top programs.

• masters.edu/academics

Anywhere between 10 to 18 hours a week on all forms of out of class work (this includes assignments, studying, and projects). This also fluctuates depending on the course load.

This depends on the class and the professor you are taking, as an English class might have large writing or reading assignments, and a math class might have no writing and little reading. Certain professors also have different preferences on both areas of extra class work. However, most classes require the reading of a textbook on a per chapter basis at least.

As these are courses that are typically required for graduating, there are many students that are enrolled in these classes at a time. The average class size is somewhere between 65 and 90 students, however, the class with the highest amount of students that may enroll is 120 students.

74% of our classes are under 20 students. 7% of our classes are >50.

Unlike most major universities, our professors are not only involved in research but also teach every class. The teaching assistants we do have, are used to do administrative work, help in labs, tutor and aid the professors and students when necessary. With our 10:1 student-teacher ratio, students have direct access to our professors.

This number does fluctuate depending on the major, generally between 5 and 25 students.

The Master’s University has a lot of subjects, majors, and events that are similar to other schools. However, what makes us stand out is our uncompromising commitment to Christ and Scripture. We believe that the Bible is authoritative, and that is what we teach in all of our classes, from science to business.

If you desire to change your major, it is simple. First, you would need to meet with your academic advisor and explain your plan for switching majors. Then you would need to meet with the registrar. Both advisor and registrar must sign off that you are changing majors.

Yes, in fact, many students do this every year. Many students for many different reasons (financially, family issues, etc.) have taken off semesters in the past and are welcome to return back to the school once the period of time is over.

Classes in high school that will better prepare you for success in these majors include 1 year of physics and calculus. Chemistry, biology, and other science classes like anatomy and physiology will be especially helpful for Biology majors.

These are the 11 most common freshmen classes:

B101 Old Testament An introduction to the Old Testament, employing both thematic and exegetical methods. Literary structure, historical background, and parallel passages are also utilized to discover the unique and priceless lessons of each book. 

B121 Essentials of Christian Thought Develop the proper framework to think biblically via exploration of inerrancy, hermeneutics, and worldview. The student will begin to form a conviction about the nature of God’s Word, how it should be interpreted, and that every part of life and existence must be informed by truth. 

MU190 Music and Art Survey the history of music and art in Western civilization from the Middle Ages to the present. The course also includes a segment on hymnology, a visit to a local art museum, and attendance at two local concerts.

E110 English Composition Practice the techniques of effective written expression, with emphasis on analytical reading and writing of expository prose.

C100 Spoken Communication Study and practice of the organization and delivery of prepared material in the conversational style of extemporaneous speaking. 

POL220 US Government Survey American institutions and processes, including the Constitution, federalism, Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, and civil rights. 

H230 US History Examine noteworthy political, geographical, social, cultural, and economic trends in the United States from the colonial era to the present.

E231 American Literature Survey of the writings of American authors including the Puritans, Whitman, Dickinson, and Twain to understand the American heritage and the influences combining to shape American literature.

ECN200 Macroeconomics (Business Majors) An introduction to macroeconomic principles and terminology, focusing on the aggregate U.S. economy and the policy decisions that state and federal lawmakers face. Topics include a review of the economic problem, measuring GNP, money and banking, interest rates, monetary and fiscal policy, inflation, and unemployment. 

LS321 Human Anatomy (Kinesiology Majors) A study of human micro and gross anatomy from a systematic approach. The laboratory consists of the use of human models, cats, mammalian body parts, and human histology slides. 

LS151 Organismic Biology (Biology Majors) The first course for biology majors, emphasizing biological life forms, their physiology, origins, and environmental relationships. 3-hour lecture and 3-hour laboratory

Many biology professors have a project that they work on each year, and students have the opportunity to work with them. This gives them the opportunity to present the project to science fairs and even get published! These opportunities are available beginning Sophomore year. Here is an example: https://www.masters.edu/news/coffee.html

On average about 20 Students per project (about ⅓ of the Biology Major). This number fluctuates depending on the size of the project and the size of the major.

Depending on your major, you might have a capstone/seminar class, an exit exam, or a final project/paper.

At TMU we have lots of opportunities to receive tutoring in math, science, and writing. As far as a freshman experience, new students come on campus a week before returning students. They spend all week getting to know the campus, professors, dorm staff, and other student leaders. Every day there are group activities such as going to the beach, packing meals at Children’s Hunger Fund, dinner with a staff or faculty member and their families. This week is referred to as WOW (Week of Welcome) and is a great time for new students to become familiar and comfortable with life as a student.

Because everyone’s financial situation is different, the best way to estimate what aid you may receive at Master’s is to use the Total Cost Calculator.

Loans are funds that must be paid back with interest after graduation or the student drops below half-time in units. There are 2 types of loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized.

Subsidized: This is a need-based loan, fixed at an interest rate of 4.45%, in which the government pays for the interest while the student is enrolled in school at least half-time. This loan is deferred until the student graduates or drops below half-time. The eligibility for this is determined by the FAFSA. Freshman can receive $3500, sophomores can receive $4500, and juniors and seniors can receive $5500

Unsubsidized: This is a loan, with a fixed interest rate of 4.45%, in which the student is responsible for paying for the interest while enrolled in school at least half-time. This loan is deferred until the student graduates or drops below half-time. Freshmen and sophomores can receive $6000 and juniors and seniors can receive $7000. Additionally, dependent students can receive $2000 extra every year.

Grants are financial assistance that do not need to be paid back. This can vary in types: both government and institutional grants as well as scholarships and such.

$7,384

$25,405, which is about the monthly payment of a car.

In 2019, 67% of students graduate with less than $20,000 in loan debt, compared with the national average of $29,800. Many students are also able to graduate with zero debt. During a time when student loan debt is as high as ever, TMU is recognized by the Department of Education for creating an environment where the burden of student loan debt repayment is much less than at almost every other campus in the country. Additionally, TMU has been recognized in LendEDU’s 2019 annual report on student loan default rates for having one of the lowest default rates not only in California but the entire country as well. Nationwide, the default rate at Master’s University placed in the 90th percentile.”

There are many opportunities for on-campus employment, this is true for both students who qualify for Work-study, and those who would like a cash job. Some specific areas of work include: Working in the Cafeteria, the Library, as a Teaching Assistant, Computer Help Desk, and the Fitness Center. These are just a few of the main job opportunities.

There are many work-study options available on campus. Some possible and common options are the cafeteria, library, academic offices, and department offices. Also available are off-campus work-study options. Don’t receive work-study with your financial package? Fear not, you can still find a job on campus, which would be referred to as a cash job.

Cash jobs are available for students who do not receive work-study as a part of their financial aid package. When students receive work-study, the money that they make goes straight into paying for tuition. Students who work a cash job, however, get that money in the form of a check, or directly deposited into their bank account. This money could be used to help pay for school, a plane ride home, or a night out at the movies. Some of the available positions for cash jobs are in the cafeteria, offices on campus, a Resident Assistant (RA) position in the dorms, or certain positions on our Associated Student Body Council (ASB).

Our “sticker” price for tuition is always listed HERE. However, this is not what most students pay as 94% of our students receive financial aid. This may include scholarships, merit awards, grants, and work study opportunities. To calculate how much aid you might receive, visit our Total Cost Calculator.

In addition to the tuition fees of attending a university, you might need to pay for housing and a meal plan. At TMU, our housing costs are the same across the board, no matter what dorm you live in. You can choose which meal plan you need, which have different prices depending on which plan you choose. There is also a student activities fee, which goes towards campus events. https://www.masters.edu/financial-aid/tuition-fees

International students can receive the academic scholarships, TMU grant, international grant, pastor and missionary dependent grant, ministry matching grant, music scholarships, athletic scholarships, and the Shamrock grant. These scholarships and grants may vary from student to student. https://www.masters.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate

The priority deadline for financial aid applications is March 2nd. We still accept and process financial aid past this date, but to ensure that you are getting the best aid you can, you should turn in all of your forms and applications by this time. Soon after this date, different funds start to run out.

The Financial Aid Office suggests that you begin the FAFSA in October and work on all of the documents you need to turn in (you can see what you need to complete on your self-service) by March 2nd.

For specific scholarships that you are applying for (ex: The Shamrock Grant) there may be different deadlines for these so make sure that you read the application carefully to ensure that you submit it in a timely manner.

1. Faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior

2. High school graduate, GED, or California High School Proficiency Exam

3. Application

4. Pastor Recommendation

5. Personal Statements

6. SAT, ACT, or CLT Scores

7. High school and or college transcripts

8. Application Fee: $40 (waived during Early Action)

They are:

• FAFSA School Code: 001220

• SAT School Code: 4411

• ACT Code: 0303

Yes

A minimum CLT score of 65 is recommended, roughly equivalent to a 1020 SAT score; we recommend a CLT of 76 or higher.

If you are ordering your transcripts through Parchment, our school name is spelled precisely as: “Master ‘S University And Seminary”. You may want to copy+paste the odd formatting.

Test scores are optional for admissions.

We also accept unofficial scores for admissions but required that official scores are submitted before enrolling into classes.

In order to qualify to apply for academic scholarships, like the President’s Scholarship and others, we require official test scores.

We use a 60/40 sliding scale of GPA/Score.

For distinguished academic scholarships, we require a minimum ACT/SAT score of 19/1000 for a 4.0 GPA, sliding to a 36/1600 with a GPA of 3.0. For transfers, a minimum GPA of 3.75 is required without a test score to qualify for distinguished.

For honors academic scholarships, we require a minimum ACT/SAT score of 19/1000 for a 3.95 GPA, sliding to a 36/1600 with a GPA of 2.95. For transfers, a minimum GPA of 3.25 is required without a test score to qualify for honors.

Parents want their child’s higher education build upon the biblical foundation which parents have been cultivating and developing in their children for so many years. A Christian university should be placing spiritual growth at the heart of the curriculum. The like-minded faculty, staff and other students at a Christian school will work to further cement the biblical foundations you have set – all while providing an excellent academic and social experience which prepares students for career success, but also for Christ-honoring lives in the home, church, and community.

Why would a parent want to systematically and effectively un-build the biblical foundations they themselves have been building? Ask yourself,

• Do you want your child’s professors and peers to encourage students to know God and to pursue righteousness?
• Do you want your child’s professors and peers to equip believers and to teach a basic scriptural skill set?
• Do you want your child’s professors and peers to teach Scripture as the supreme authority for Godly living?

Developing wisdom, establishing convictions and producing leaders. That’s why is it important for homeschool students to attend a Christian university.

Universities across the nation today have standard admissions practices for homeschoolers. This is a group of students which has proven to be academically very strong, and most universities have a small population of homeschool students on campus.

Typically, admissions requires a GPA above a minimum range of 2.75 or above. You’ll also need an SAT, ACT or sometimes accepted CLT score. Finally, you’ll need a high school diploma.

TMU requires personal statements and essays, and a pastor’s recommendation.

You’ll also need a transcript. A homeschool transcript should include each class studied beginning in ninth grade with a letter grade assigned each class. Use a credit system to calculate GPA. The transcript should be current through the date of applying to the university, and a final transcript must be submitted upon completion of schooling. If the transcript is produced by the parent, then a parental signature is required along with date of signing.

In absence of a final transcript, the GED or California Proficiency Exam are accepted

Here are a few pointers to help collect paperwork and other documents. This will help streamline your admissions and financial aid applications!

1. Update the high school transcript with all courses (homeschool, co-op, online, outside, or dual enrollment) that count towards high school graduation.

2. Calculate cumulative GPA for 9th through 11th grades.

3. List all 12th-grade courses, plus credits that students plan to take during the senior year. Place IP (in progress) or SP (spring) in grade column.

4. Update the student’s extracurricular activity sheet.

5. Complete course descriptions for all academic 9th- through 12th-grade courses for your records.

6. Search for scholarship opportunities and make selections. List requirements, documentation, and deadlines.

Parents strive to provide their child with a great high school education through homeschooling, and that child can use their skills and abilities to help pay for college. TMU’s scholarships are often sponsored by alumni, and our financial aid office is your best source of information. Again, deadlines are important, so begin to gather information early in the junior or senior year of high school.

For scholarships, keys to success are high test scores (ACT, SAT, or CLT ), academic achievement (AP, dual enrollment, honors), and extracurricular activities.

Would you like to complete 1-2 years of college at a fraction of tuition price while you are still in high school?

Juniors and seniors in high school can take accredited, college-level Bible and General Education courses on-campus or online. These classes meet high school graduation requirements and earn college credits at a reduced cost, and of course the class credits are transferable to most colleges.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of dual enrollment is that your student may start accumulating college credits, helping him or her graduate on time or even early.

• These classes also give students a helpful sneak-peak into what that college courses entail, and what the college is like.
• This mean lower course loads in college
• It also means you can access many classes which your high school does not offer

Before starring, make sure the colleges in which you are interested would accept the dual enrollment credit, and check to see that your high school doesn’t offer the same class. Also consider the total workload before over-committing.

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the college decision is a family decision. God’s word instructs children to honor their parents, and it also instructs parents to equip their children. A prospective student should be involved, capable and active in the financial aid and admissions process. This includes searching and applying for scholarships, researching work-study options, and inquiring about internships. The student’s ownership in the process is a valuable skillset. There are items, like tax return forms and family income documents which the student may not have access to, and requires a parent’s support.

TOEFL/ILETS/SAT/ACT – Need one of the following test scores (Min: 80 on TOEFL, 6.5 on ILETS). Everything else is the same as a domestic student.

This information can be found on our International Students checklist: https://www.masters.edu/admissions/undergrad/international-admissions

• 80%

• $16,430

55%

66%

85%

• 25% of TMU undergraduate alumni go on to graduate school.

• 95% of TMU students are accepted to the graduate program of their choice.

• Yes. Our graduates continue their educations at such institutions as Pepperdine, UCLA, Georgetown, Oxford, Duke, USC, Harvard, Liberty, Jerusalem University College, La Verne University, New York University, Penn State, Saint Joseph’s University, Texas A&M University, University of St. Andrews, University of Denver, University of London, Wheaton Graduate School Twenty percent of TMU students attend immediately and 35% attend within five years. Medicine: 95% acceptance Rate. Medical schools attended by TMU grads include Baylor College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Loma Linda University, University of Michigan, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, and Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine Seminaries: TMU grads have attended The Master’s Seminary, Western Conservative Baptist, Talbot School of Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Wales Evangelical School of Theology, Northwest Baptist Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary Law: TMU grads have attended Harvard Law, Loyola Law School, Liberty Law School, UCLA Law

Check out our Academic Resource Center! - Academic Resource Center

Take your pick. Either one works for us. But if you take the SAT, make sure it’s the SAT I because we don’t use the SAT II.

Our recommendations to be competitive for academic scholars

• GPA of at least 3.6

• SAT Scores: 1100-1300

• ACT Scores: 24-26

However, there are a number of factors, so we don’t publish specific minimums. We’re looking for students who have succeeded in college preparatory high school classes, and have earned above average test scores on the SAT or ACT. If a student falls below the recommended test score or grade point average, the student could still be admitted as part of our Program for Academic Support and Success (PASS).

Students are very successful obtaining internships. Professors are great resources to seek, and are often very willing to help students get connected with companies, churches, etc. with whom they are connected.

~ 80 students study abroad (~ 60 IBEX and ~ 20 Italy)

STUDENT CAREER CENTER https://www.masters.edu/student-career-center/

Many of the major departments receive requests every year for internship opportunities from many companies, firms, churches etc. These opportunities are then provided for the students to see if interested.

Our programs at TMU are all designed to help students succeed in whatever field of work they choose to go into. Most importantly, Master’s equips students with the skills to serve God through their work and serve in their local churches.

Yes, our campus provides many work study positions OR cash pay jobs that are available at the start of the semesters in places such as the cafeteria, fitness center, library, admissions department, etc.

Yes! There are many opportunities to volunteer! Not only are there local non-profit businesses to get involved in, Master’s sets up specific opportunities for students to volunteer their time and energy for great cause

• Engage - Students are given half a week off of campus, put into teams, and go on volunteer trips all over Los Angeles to serve local churches. It is not required, but it is a great opportunity to serve the local churches. Students help with anything from church services, manual labor, and anything in between! The trips are not required, but they provide a great opportunity to serve the local churches.

• Involvement at Church - Students are required to attend two church services a week(One Sunday service, a bible study, or community group). Many students become leaders in college and youth groups and help serve in a variety of other ways. This helps students recognize the importance of serving the Lord by serving the church body.

• Check out our Student Life Outreach page to see get more information: https://www.masters.edu/outreach/

Master’s in nestled in the residential location known as Placerita Canyon. Most transportation requires a vehicle, or a bicycle. However, there is usually someone ready to make a In-n-Out or grocery run, so it’s never too tough to hitch a ride!

On campus we have a total of 6 dorms, 2 all guys’ (Waldock and Slight), 2 all girls’ (Dixon and Sweazy), and 2 co-ed dorms (Hotchkiss and C.W. Smith) meaning a guys’ wing on one side and a girls’ wing on the other separated by a common lounge in between. All dorms consist of 4 wings, 2 upper and 2 lower. Each room has two students per room, this is true for all dorms with the exception of Slight which houses 4-6 guys in one apartment style like room.

As each room is built for two people, with the exception for the dorm rooms in Slight, they are all roughly the same size with some minor design and storage differences. As Slight must accommodate for more students in an apartment style room, the rooms are much larger than the standard dorm room.

More Info About the Dorms

The dorms can vary in loudness depending on which students one lives with. The dorms are intended to not only just be a place to live and sleep, but rather the intentions are for all students to become very close knit with those who live on the same wing as you. The dorms are designed for a place of fellowship, discipleship, competition, and studying. Due to this fact, the dorms can be very loud at times, but a majority of the time the dorms are quiet because the students respect each others rest and studies.

Yes, but most of that decision making will be made/discussed with your residential assistant who oversees the wing you live on.

The overall atmosphere for the students would probably be best described as a growing environment. Those who come to TMU are constantly growing in their abilities, knowledge, wisdom, relationships, and most importantly their walk with Christ. This truly shapes the student life as people strive to be more like Christ, and this influences all areas of student life whether it’s dorm rivalries, the arts, athletics, or Bible study.

There are different move-in days for different semesters. The dorms are closed for the Summer and Christmas vacations. Specific move in and check out dates fluctuate per year.

80-85%

For those students who live a drivable distance away from the campus, a small amount of students don’t go home unless it is a holiday, extended weekend, or if they want their laundry done by mom or dad. Most students tend to live on campus every weekend and partake in the campus wide activities happening.

We do not have any fraternities or sororities on campus.

Our Associated Student Body (ASB) works hard to create fun activities for the campus community, including Monty’s Softball Classic, Gotcha!, Fall Fair, Christmas Blend, Hall Ball, Disney Week, and The Monty’s. Student Life also have other opportunities including dorm events, student-led clubs, Intramurals, Men’s and Women’s Camping Trips, Women to Women, and Engage. Find more information on these opportunities at masters.edu/student-life.

Campus Safety Information

Absolutely. Our students are our most precious commodity, and we take our stewardship of them seriously. We are situated in a quiet, safe neighborhood, but we take nothing for granted. Our campus security officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our annual crime report speaks for itself–find a copy here.

As an incoming student you have two options for choosing a roommate. If you are coming to TMU and you know someone who is already a student, or who will be starting the same semester as you, there is a possibility that they could be your roommate! After you have finished applying, been accepted, and sent in your deposit for the year, you can go on to pre-registration. On pre-registration, there is an option for requesting a roommate. We can’t make any promises, but if you and your friend put each other’s names down during pre-registration, it’s pretty likely that you’ll be put together. And hey, lots of our students come and don’t know anyone, so your second option is random rooming. This works out great for lots of our students, and sometimes you even meet your BFF for life!

Our housing plans are really simple. Each dorm costs the same amount, and at TMU we don’t have separate freshman or senior housing. On your wing you might have freshman through seniors, people on ASB or chapel band, athletes, musicians, biologists and more! The dorms are $3,070 per semester.

At TMU we have 3 meal plan options. You can choose 20 meals per week ($2530), 14 meals per week ($2370) or 10 meals per week ($2,220). You can also add on $150 dollars of Flex Bucks to your meal plan, which allows you to buy an extra meal from the cafeteria, pay for a late-night Starbucks drink in the Trough, or grab some fruit, chips or other snacks on your way to class. If you are a commuter, you have the added option of our 5 meals per week plan, or of just purchasing Flex bucks.

The Trough is our campus coffee and snack shop. You can get your favorite Starbucks drink, sweet potato fries, fresh fruit, candy, chips, yogurt parfaits and all sorts of other treats and snacks. The Trough takes cash, credit and debit, but the best choice is to use Flex Bucks if you can! By using Flex Bucks, there is no tax on any of your purchases. If you run out of Flex Bucks you can purchase them in increments on $20.

Yes! There are some students who go off campus on the weekends to visit families, surf at the beach, visit fun areas in LA, or sit at a coffee shop and do homework. However, campus is by no means dead on the weekends. There are always people around and in the dorms that you can study with. Or if it is nice weather outside, there are plenty of hikes right around campus. Over the weekends you won’t have to be alone - unless, of course, you’d rather curl up in bed with a good book.

We believe the Bible is literally true and divinely inspired. If that’s a denomination, then that’s us. Other than that we are non-denominational. Click here to read over our doctrinal statement.

• Men:

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Swimming & Diving

Track & Field (Outdoor),

Soccer

Golf

• Women:

Basketball

Cross Country

Swimming & Diving

Track & Field (Outdoor and Indoor)

Soccer

Volleyball

• Want to play? Get Recruited

We have a wide range of societies that really show both diversity and unity in our student body. Diverse in our interests, and unified in our convictions. We range from academic societies like the Science and Mathematics Society and the Accounting Association, to more Community based groups such as our Evangelism Society, Silent Expressions (American Sign Language), and Cliff Hangers (SoCAL Exploration). You can check out our Societies here, and if you don’t see a club that you are interested in, remember, you are potentially able to create your own!

You can check out our Clubs and Societies here, and if you don’t see an organization that you are interested in, remember, you are potentially able to create your own!

Chapel is the hub of the TMU community and attendance is required. Chapel meets three times per week and students can miss up to eight per semester. Although required, it is easily one of the favorite parts of being a student.

If your youth group meets 3 times a week, has amazing speakers committed to the Word of God from all over the state and country, has a student led chapel band committed to humble leadership, and Q&A’s with John MacArthur → then the answer is yes! Also your youth group sounds amazing!

Since many students are involved in various forms of activities here on campus, it is very possible to do both. However, it truly depends on whether or not you are willing to put in the extra labor to make both your class schedule and chosen activity work.