Accelerated & Advanced Standing Programs
Dallas Theological Seminary grants advanced standing to students who demonstrate current competency normally gained through the DTS curriculum. Advanced Standing is a curricular adjustment based on a student’s demonstrated competency. In order to expedite your seminary education and reduce cost, we encourage students to explore the variety of advanced standing opportunities.
Advanced Standing – Reduction of Credit Hours
Attended Bible college or have advanced biblical/theological knowledge? You might qualify for Advanced Standing.

Candidates may qualify to reduce their degree program by up to 25% based on a current demonstration of competency. Reduction of credit hours may be obtained in two ways, accelerated and course-by-course.
Transfer Credit
Ministry Partner Credit
- Qualified courses taken with some our Ministry Partners are eligible for credit at DTS (see our Ministry Partners page for a complete list):
Cru
The Village Church Institute
Young Life - If you completed a training program or are a full-time staff member of one of our Ministry Partners, check out our Ministry Partner page to see what benefits might be available to you.
Substitution of Credit Hours
- Course Substitution – This is not a course reduction option. But, undergraduate courses may be credited to specific DTS courses, allowing students to substitute higher-level courses in the department.