International Students

Welcoming Students from Around the Globe

Our mission to teach, reach, and care goes beyond the United States. Students come from around the globe to gain the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes that will further prepare them to be of service to Christ’s Church in their home countries.

Programs of Study

Concordia Theological Seminary welcomes international students and is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant F-1 category students. International students follow the same admission procedures as domestic students; however, they must also demonstrate satisfactory English language proficiency.

English Language Proficiency

International student applicants whose first language is not English must adequately demonstrate their ability to read, listen, write, and speak English. The standard to sufficiently demonstrate this is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Duolingo English Test. Scores must be less than two years old.

The Form I-20 & Visa Application

Students who are accepted into a program of study will work with CTSFW’s International Studies Office on the next steps in the process:

- Obtain the initial Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” which proves you are legally enrolled in a program of study in the United States.
- Pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee.
- Apply for an F-1 Student visa.

Maintaining Student Status

While studying in the United States, F-1 students must maintain status by fulfilling the necessary requirements. These requirements include maintaining a full course of study, making sufficient progress in the academic program, and reporting required information to a PDSO/DSO. For a further information on maintaining status, visit the DHS Study in the States Website.

Designated School Officials (DSO)

All Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified schools are required to have Designated School Officials (DSOs) to communicate with SEVP, update your student record, and help you maintain your student status. While studying in the United States, be sure to communicate with your DSO before doing any of the following:

- Working in the United States
- Applying for a driver’s license
- Applying for a Social Security number (SSN)
- Changing your program
- Transferring to a new school
- Being absent from classes
- Taking a vacation
- Traveling outside the United States
- Moving to a new address
- Changing your name
- Requesting a program extension

International Student Employment

Students in F-1 status may be eligible for several types of employment:

- On-campus. On-campus employment is work that F-1 students whose status is “active” in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) may apply for.
- Off-campus. Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study, and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) emergent circumstances.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT must be directly related to the student’s field of study and commensurate with the student’s educational level. The training must be a requirement of the program of study.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a form of training, often paid, that directly relates to your program of study. You can apply for OPT during your program of study, which is known as pre-completion OPT, or after you finish your program of study, known as post-completion OPT.

F-1 Students must communicate with a DSO or PDSO about eligibility for any type of employment. An international student must obtain a Social Security number for employment in the United States.

Contact Us

We are located in the Student Services area (L-13) of Loehe Hall.

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Eli James
Coordinator of International Students (PDSO)
(260) 452-2154
Eli.James@ctsfw.edu

Mrs. Cindy Johnson
Graduate School
(260) 452-2203
Cindy.Johnson@ctsfw.edu

Dr. Detlev Schulz
Director of International Studies
(260) 452-3131
Detlev.Schulz@ctsfw.edu

Mailing Address:
6600 N. Clinton St
Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Fax: (260) 452-2257

Student Consumer Information

In order to help students obtain all the information they need to make wise choices in their education, the U.S. Department of Education requires a number of reports and pieces of information to be made available. You’ll find all that information here. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Additional Student Support