Admissions info

Admission examinations

Theological faculty (full-time education)

Mandatory admission requirements for entering the program are (a) a high school diploma, (b) membership in the church, as a rule, not less than 2 years, (c) the positive reference from the leadership of the church organization, (d) the absence of medical contraindications to perform pastoral ministry. The referral from the local Conference leadership with a guarantee of payment (if any) plays a significant role for enrolment.

Applicants are not required to pass any admission exams, students are admitted on the base of an interview, Centralized Testing results (if any), grades in the school certificate or diploma. For admission applicants should submit all available documents on their education, as well as the Centralized Testing results.

Preparing for the admission interview should be based on the book "In the beginning was the Word ..." (Zaoksky: “Source of Life”, 1993). When working with this book it is recommended not just try to remember the information, but to try to understand it in order to gain a complete picture of the SDA church doctrine. When studying a particular doctrine it is recommended to choose the main Bible verses and key theological thoughts and try to remember them.

At the interview attention is paid not only to theological knowledge of the applicant, but also to his or her involvement in the church ministry, the level of familiarity with the Bible and Ellen G. White’s writings, his or her general erudition, communication skills, consistency in expressing thoughts, involvement in social processes, knowledge in such areas as history, philosophy, social science.

MASTER’S PROGRAMS

Zaoksky Theological Academy offers two Master's programs:

  • A Master of Arts in Religion (MA in Religion)
  • A Master of Practical Theology (MA in Practical Theology).

A Master of Arts in Religion

Admission requirements:

  • Applicants must have a complete higher education.
  • Applicants must be proficient in English at Intermediate level.
  • Applicants must have at least 24 credits for following theological disciplines within the Bachelor’s Program:
    • Old Testament Researches - 3 credits,
    • New Testament Researches - 3 credits,
    • Systematic Theology - 3 credits,
    • Church History - 3 credits,
    • Ellen G. White’s writings - 3 credits,
    • Elective courses - 9 credits from any of the areas listed.
  • An applicant must have a final grade for a complete course of Greek language (II) - 12 credits or Hebrew (I) - 7 credits.

Admission procedure

Admission to the program is as follows:
  • An applicant sends his application to the Administrative Committee of the local Conference (Mission). In case of positive decision, the application is sent to the Administrative Committee of the Union Conference, and then the Executive Committee of the Euro-Asia Division, which makes the preliminary decision on the matter.
  • Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Division office sends the Committee decision to Zaoksky Theological Academy. A Master’s Programs Board of Zaoksky Academy considers whether the applicant has the required level of education to access this program, and whether all prerequisites are met. The final decision on admission to the program depends on the decision of the Board.

Division Leadership has the right to limit the total number of Master’s programs students if it exceeds the bounds set by Andrews University.

Master of Practical Theology

Admission requirements:

  • Applicants must have a complete higher education.
  • Applicants must have at least 22 credits in following theological disciplines within the Bachelor’s Program:
    • Bible Studies - 6 credits;
    • Systematic Theology - 3 credits;
    • Church History or Ellen G. White’s writings - 3 credits;
    • History of the SDA Church - 3 credits;
    • Elective courses - 9 credits in any of the areas listed
  • Applicants must have a final grade for a complete course of Greek language (I) 3 credits or Hebrew (I) - 3 credits.
  • Applicants must have at least 2 years of experience in Christian ministry. Practical service doesn’t count in capacity of academic disciplines.

Admission procedure

Admission to the program is as follows:

  • An applicant sends his application to the Administrative Committee of the local Conference (Mission). In case of positive decision, the application is sent to the to the Administrative Committee of the Union Conference which makes the preliminary decision on the matter.
  • Unions form a group for studies, co-ordinating the number of students with Zaoksky Theological Academy in accordance with the previously signed contract. A Master’s Programs Board of Zaoksky Academy considers whether the applicants have the required level of education to access this program, and whether all prerequisites are met. The final decision on admission to the program depends on the decision of the Board.

The program is designed to train active pastors and has three specializations: "Leadership and Church Management", "Missiology" and "Youth Ministry". The Union leadership which forms the group of students has a right to choose a specialization for this group.

MUSIC FACULTY

A Practical Course of a Church Musician (1 year)

Admission requirements: a high school diploma; aptitude for music; desire to learn to play hymns and organize music ministry in the church, a basic knowledge of musical notation.

Applicants are not required to pass any admission exams – students are admitted on the base of an interview, Centralized Testing results (if any), grades in the high school diploma. For admission applicants should submit all available documents on their education, as well as the Centralized Testing results.

At the interview attention is paid not only to aptitude for music of the applicant, but also to his or her involvement in the church ministry, the level of familiarity with the Bible and Ellen G. White’s writings.

Offered disciplines: Hymns for common singing (practice of playing and singing), Foundations of choral conducting, Choral classes, Solfeggio, Music notation, Children's music ministry, History of Protestant music, Organizing of music ministry, Theological disciplines (electional).

Bachelor of Music and Music Ministry (3-4 years)

The Admission Board takes into consideration applicant’s talent, participation in church ministry, personal spiritual and moral qualities, education (high school, elementary music, special secondary music education). Applicants are admitted to a Bachelor’s Program of Music and Music ministry after the entrance examination in the specialty and an interview with the Admission Board.

Requirements for the entrance exam in the specialty:

  • Playing the piano (or other instrument): two diverse compositions;
  • Singing: singing a song or hymn at applicant’s discretion a cappella (unaccompanied) and with accompaniment;
  • Sight-reading: four-part score (for applicants without a piano training - from hymnals “Psalms of the Zion” and “Hymns of Hope”).

Questions for the entrance exam complex:

I. Music history. Brief information about famous composers such as: M. Glinka, N. Rimsky-Korsakov, P.Tchaikovsky, S. Prokofiev, D. Shostakovich, I.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, L.V. Beethoven, F. Schubert, F. Chopin. Possible questions: In what epoch did he live? In what country did he live? Which musical genres did he write music in? Name a few compositions of a certain composer.

II. An applicant must be able to plot out in keys up to three characters: simple intervals, minor species (natural, harmonic, melodic), majeure species (natural, harmonic), the triad and its transformations, major triads, the dominant seventh chord and its transformations. As teaching aids are recommended: Music encyclopaedias and dictionaries, Manual of Music literature, Manual of Elementary theory of music.

Master of Music Ministry and Pedagogy (1-2 years)

Applicants are admitted to the Master's Program of Music ministry and Pedagogy after listening to a program on the chosen specialty and an entrance interview with the Admission Board.

The Faculty of Humanities

English language program "A Bachelor of Religion"

Applicants are admitted to the English language program "A Bachelor of Religion" after the admission interview.

Preparing to study at Andrews University (Michigan, USA) at the program "Landscape Design"

Requirements for accessing the program "A Bachelor of Technology" with a specialization "Landscape Design" at Andrews University:

  • Studying disciplines, according to an individual curriculum at the program "A Bachelor of Religion", not less than 59 credits within 2 years of study (if desired or necessary, the term of studies may be extended to 3 years)
  • Reaching proficiency in English enough to begin training at Andrews University by the end of studies (the level of proficiency must be proved by a special examination).
  • Taking a special training course at the program " Vegetable-growing by the method of Dr. Mittleider”.

The final decision on the transfer from Zaoksky Theological Academy to Andrews University into the program "A Bachelor of Technology" with specialization "Landscape Design" will be taken by Andrews University.

Classes for the program begin on July 11, 2011, starting with a course of vegetable-growing by the method of Dr. Mittleider (included as mandatory in the curriculum).

OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

To study at an Office Administrative Assistant Program applicants must have an education not lower than high school. Admission documents for this program are the same as to the other programs. Decision on admission to the program is taken by the Admissions Board on a competitive basis based on interviews and on the basis of grades from a high school diploma.