The Mission Statement of the Virginia Theological Seminary states that we “seek to further the universal mission of Christ’s church by providing graduate theological education and serving as a theological resource for the Anglican Communion and the wider church.”  Our International Students Program embodies this goal of being a “theological resource” for the wider church.  It has been one of our longest term mission commitments.  International students incarnate on the VTS campus the Anglican Communion and the wider church.

In 1877 Isaac Yokoyama of Japan was graduated from VTS.  Our archivist, Ms Julia Randle, has noted that “increasing numbers of international students studied at VTS 1900-1940, generally from China, Japan and Central and South American countries where the Episcopal Church had missionaries.”  The number of European students increased after World War II and the reconstruction of Europe.  It was in the 1950s that African students began arriving on campus, and their number has steadily increased.

VTS has long claimed as part of its mission the equipping of leaders for the Anglican Communion and the wider church.  Today, there are over twenty of our international students serving as bishops and archbishops.  Many more teach in Anglican theological colleges and Bible Schools.

For information about ways to apply as an international applicant, consult the link to “International Applicants” under “Admissions: Entering VTS.”  Most of our international students are candidates for the degree of Master in Theological Studies.  There is also a “Post Graduate Diploma in Theology” which is described in a link to “Theological Studies Program for International Students” under “Academic Life: Learning at VTS.”

From admission to course of study and community life to graduation and the first post of service, VTS with its Center for Anglican Communion Studies partners with international students to ensure excellence in theological education and formation for leadership and service in Christ’s church.  Our International Students Program is an outward sign of the Seminary’s “evangelical heritage and its missionary tradition.”