Thank you for your interest in applying for a Summit University online program. First time here? Click HERE to get started!

On This Page

• General Information
• Current Students
• Application Fee
• Email Address
• Auditing Courses
• Language Skills
• Learning Disabilities
• Technology and Computer Literacy Requirements
• Application Instructions
• Instructions for Letters of Recommendation
• Course Registration
• What’s Next?
• Important Dates to Remember

General Information

Summit University accepts applications on an ongoing basis for all online certificate programs. Apply now to enroll next semester.

Before you begin your application, please review the following information and instructions so that you will be prepared to complete each step in the application process.

Current Students

Students who have already applied and have been accepted into a certificate program or as an audit student and are currently enrolled in courses do not need to reapply. To register for your courses, go to your SU Student Portal in Orbund. For videos on how to register, see SU 102 Register for the Upcoming Semester under Classes on the left-hand menu.

Application Fee

The one-time non-refundable $100 application fee is for admission to Summit University’s academic programs. Once a student is accepted, the application and the application fee will be valid for one year. If students are unable to attend the semester for which they are accepted, the application fee will be honored for up to one year from the date of acceptance. For additional information, see the Application Fee section on the Tuition and Fees page.

Email Address

All applicants and students are required to have their own unique email address account that is not shared with anyone else. This email address will be used for receiving official correspondence from Summit University (including updates on application status) and accessing online course work. Providing this unique email address will help to ensure confidentiality in all communications with applicants and students.

Auditing Courses

SU online courses are available for audit to students who apply and are accepted into the General Studies program. Follow the instructions below to apply for General Studies Audit Courses. For more information about auditing courses, please see the Auditing Courses page.

Language Skills

This program is offered only in English and good English language skills are required in order to be successful in the coursework. Non-native English speakers may be asked to submit TOEFL scores or to successfully pass an English proficiency test before they are accepted into the program. On the application, you will be asked to certify that you have read and are able to fulfill the following Technology and Computer Literacy requirements:

• Comprehend instructions and follow directions given in the form of text and videos.
• Assimilate academic content presented in a variety of mediums such as online text, books, and audio and video clips.
• Formulate well-crafted written ideas and responses to academic content, with minimal grammatical errors, in the form of short answers and longer papers.
• Complete exams.
• Give short oral presentations.
• Communicate clearly in impromptu online and face-to-face conversations with high levels of understanding.

Learning disabilities

To be successful in this program, SU online students are required to use a computer connected to the Internet to access their courses and fulfill course requirements. Courses are delivered via Moodle, a web-based learning platform. Some course materials are audio, video or slideshows and need to be seen and/or heard. Students with disabilities should be prepared to use a computer to access their course(s) and participate in discussion forums and assignments, either through the keyboard or voice-to-speech recognition. Students must also be able to complete all course components, such as attending on-site intensives and doing practicums where required.

Technology and Computer Literacy Requirements

Please read the Technology and Computer Literacy Requirements. On the application, you will be asked to indicate that you have read and comply with these requirements. You may print a copy for future reference.

Application Instructions

To apply, please read the following instructions and complete each step in the process. Only complete applications will be reviewed for admission. You may also download these instructions to use as a checklist to ensure that you have completed all of the necessary steps.

Download instructions: Apply Online!

1. Select the program that you wish to apply for. Your program choice will determine which application you should fill out below. Go to the Get Started page for a list of programs we offer.
2. Request to have two Letters of Recommendation submitted on your behalf as soon as possible. We encourage you to do this first since applications will not be reviewed until your Letters of Recommendation have been received. See the section below for instructions for Letters of Recommendation.
3. You will be required to upload electronically into the application the following three attachments. We recommend you have these documents ready before filling out the application.
   • A recent photo of yourself. This photo must be a head shot, which is in focus (not blurry) and similar to a passport or driver’s license photo (larger than the typical Facebook profile photo). Upload it as a JPEG that is no larger than 5 MBs. If your photo is too large, you may resize it at http://resizeyourimage.com/.
   • Documentation of your highest educational level or degree. This may be a copy of your high school or college diploma or official or unofficial college transcripts. Please submit as a JPEG or PDF that is no larger than 1 MB. If you do not have your diploma or transcripts, you may submit a short resume (200 words or less) of your educational background as a .docx file.
   • A 500-1000 word essay as a .docx file that you have personally written in English. Include your name, email address, and the program for which you are applying at the top left hand corner of the first page; include page numbers and your initials in the lower right hand corner of each subsequent page. Select the appropriate essay content below for the program for which you are applying:

   Ministering Servant Certificate Program applicants—Track B (Lay Brother/Lay Sister): Explain why you feel called to strive for the office of lay brother/lay sister in Church Universal and Triumphant. Please include how you currently serve others and what serving others means to you.

   All other program applicants: Describe why you would like to study at the Summit University School of Theology and Spiritual Studies. Explain what specifically interests you about the department, program, or course for which you are applying.

4. If you are ready to apply now, click the appropriate button below to fill out your application. The application will take you approximately 15 minutes to complete. Although you can save your work and come back later, we recommend that you complete the application in one setting. At the end of the application, you will be asked to pay the $100 application fee through PayPal using Visa, MasterCard or your PayPal account.
5. Your application will automatically be submitted when you begin processing your payment. You will receive an email notification from PayPal when your payment has been processed. Applications will not be reviewed until payment is received.
6. To begin your application, click the appropriate button below.

If you have technical problems completing the application, go to the SU Tech Support website (https://seminars.tslcolombia.org/help) to create a customer support ticket.

Instructions for Letters of Recommendation

For Summit University online programs and courses, applicants are required to have two Letters of Recommendation submitted by previous or current employers, teachers, counselors, community or group leaders, youth organization leaders or ministers from their local congregation.

Invite the individuals you have selected to fill out a confidential online recommendation form for you and give them this link: https://seminars.tslcolombia.org/recommendation. The form will take them no more than 10–15 minutes to complete. To complete the form, they will need your full name and the email address that you will use for all SU course access and correspondence. The completed letters will be sent electronically to the SU registrar. You will receive an email notification when each letter has been received. Do not request that a printed copy of the form be given to you.

Request your recommendations far enough in advance so they are received by SU about the same time that you submit your application. Applications will not be reviewed without recommendation letters.

Back to Application Instructions

What’s Next?

Congratulations! When you have completed all the above steps, you will have submitted your application for SU online.

Applicants will be notified by email of the Review Committee’s decision regarding acceptance. Successful applicants will receive instructions on when and how to register for their courses and how to access a required introductory online course that they must review before their program starts.

Course Registration for the Upcoming Semester

Accepted applicants will be advised of registration dates.

For a schedule and descriptions of courses, see the Course Catalog. Also see Programs for a listing of which courses are required or electives. Some courses may have a minimum or maximum number of students, and courses are subject to change prior to the start of the semester. Note: Allow 9-10 hours every week to study for each 3-credit course; allow 6 hours per week for 1-credit courses over an 8-week period.

Important Dates to Remember

See the Academic Calendar page of the SU website.