Western Theological Seminary’s nurturing academic community is committed to giving students the tools they need to succeed.
Knowing where to find the answers to your questions is often confusing! Our Student Life staff will help you or direct you to the right person.
Helpful Links
- Internships
- Leading Daily Worship
- Registrar
- Virtual Bookstore (please be patient, slow-loading)
- Housing Issues
- Academic yearly calendar
- Course Descriptions
- For class schedules, please go to the Student Portal.
- Tuition Rate & Payments
- Financial Aid
- Employment opportunities advertised by churches/ministries
- Filing a formal complaint
- Campus safety and security report and fire report
- Campus emergency procedures
Student Support Services
Writing Studio
Would you like to improve your writing skills? Tutors are equipped to help students learn how to conceive, develop, organize and clarify their writing efforts. The Writing Studio is a free service for enrolled students. Sign up for an appointment with a tutor here.
Student Life Team
If you have a question or need some extra guidance and don’t know where to start, visit Tim Basselin or Kate Bareman in the Student Life office
Student Assistance Program
The Student Assistance Program provides individual counseling and spiritual direction opportunities for students at Western. SAP is underwritten by the seminary and the Dr. Stanley Rock Preparation for Ministry Fund.
Office of Academic Affairs – Registrar
Need to order a transcript or register for a class? Visit the Registrar now!
Location
Student Life is located on the second floor of the atrium in the Academic and Student Life Office.
Student Tech Requirements
Technical Requirements:
These requirements apply to all students and those wishing to access Cook Library resources.
Computer Hardware
For best performance, you should access Western Theological Seminary (WTS) web resources with a computer that supports the most recent web browser versions. It is recommended to use a computer five years old or newer, with at least 4GB of Memory (RAM).
Operating System
Your operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades, to continue to be able to access WTS web resources. Web resources can be accessed on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.
Hardware
- Webcam Required (Internal or External)
- Microphone Required (Internal or External)
- A minimum computer screen resolution of 1280 x 720
Web Browser
You should always use the most current or first previous version of your preferred browser. Your browser will notify you if there is a new version available. Supported web browsers are:
- Chrome
- Firefox (Extended Releases are not supported)
- Safari (Macintosh only)
- Edge (Windows only)
- Respondus Lockdown Browser
Applications:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (To read PDF files)
Internet Speed
A 5 Mbps (Megabits per second) connection or faster is required for access WTS web resources. For more information on internet speed and use cases, please visit: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/household-broadband-guide
Canvas Mobile App
If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app for devices running Android 8.0 or later and iOS 14.0 or later, available on the Google Play and Apple App Store. Please note that it is NOT possible to participate fully in classes using only the mobile app. You must have a PC or laptop that meets the minimum requirements in this document.
Screen Readers for Canvas – optional, only if required by the user
- Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
- PC: JAWS (latest version for Chrome and Firefox)
- PC: NVDA (latest version for Chrome and Firefox)
- To learn more about Canvas’ commitment to W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative and learn about supported screen reader and browser combinations, please see the Canvas Accessibility Standards document.
For the most up-to-date Canvas requirements, visit: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Instructure/ta-p/66
A downloadable PDF of this information is available here: Student Tech Requirements.
Canvas Course Management Software
Canvas is a web-based course management software that enables teaching, learning, and communicating on the Internet. To use Canvas, you need to know basic Internet browsing and email skills. Knowing how to download and upload files and understanding attachments is crucial. Be sure your machine meets the technical requirements listed on the right of this page.
Please contact Educational Technologist Specialist Kathy Ehmann with any technical questions about using Canvas. 800-392-8554, ext. 186
How do I access Canvas?
Go to http://westernsem.instructure.com. Type in your user name and password, then click the Log On button to log in.
Technical Requirements:
Computer Hardware
For best performance, you should access Western Theological Seminary (WTS) web resources with a computer that supports the most recent web browser versions. It is recommended to use a computer five years old or newer, with at least 4GB of Memory (RAM).
Operating System
Your operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades, to continue to be able to access WTS web resources. Web resources can be accessed on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.
Hardware
- Webcam Required (Internal or External)
- Microphone Required (Internal or External)
- A minimum computer screen resolution of 1280 x 720
Web Browser
You should always use the most current or first previous version of your preferred browser. Your browser will notify you if there is a new version available. Supported web browsers are:
- Chrome
- Firefox (Extended Releases are not supported)
- Safari (Macintosh only)
- Edge (Windows only)
- Respondus Lockdown Browser
Applications:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (To read PDF files)
Internet Speed
A 5 Mbps (Megabits per second) connection or faster is required for access WTS web resources. For more information on internet speed and use cases, please visit: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/household-broadband-guide
Canvas Mobile App
If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app for devices running Android 8.0 or later and iOS 14.0 or later, available on the Google Play and Apple App Store. Please note that it is NOT possible to participate fully in classes using only the mobile app. You must have a PC or laptop that meets the minimum requirements in this document.
Screen Readers for Canvas – optional, only if required by the user
- Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
- PC: JAWS (latest version for Chrome and Firefox)
- PC: NVDA (latest version for Chrome and Firefox)
- To learn more about Canvas’ commitment to W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative and learn about supported screen reader and browser combinations, please see the Canvas Accessibility Standards document.
For the most up-to-date Canvas requirements, visit: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Instructure/ta-p/66
A downloadable PDF of this information is available here: Student Tech Requirements.
Student Government
Student Council advocates for student concerns and provides programming that engages the entire student body. The council is made up of representatives from each class and a faculty advisor and meets regularly throughout the academic year.
Student Government responsibilities:
- Social activities
- Addressing academic concerns
- Common worship
- Involvement in mission
- Social action
The 2022-2023 Student Government Body:
Executive Council
Student Council President – Lex Cummings
IR Vice President – Vanessa Stokes
DL Vice President – LaCosta Van Dyk
Scribe – Tommy Langejans
IR Treasurer – AJ Funk
DL Treasurer – Sara Arnett
Class Reps
IR Senior Rep: Announcement coming soon.
IR Middler Rep – Christy Escobar and Jordan Roeda
5th Year DL Rep – Announcement coming soon.
4th Year DL Rep – Rebecca Bell
3rd Year DL Rep – Josiah Huisman
2nd Year DL Rep – Laura Dekle
Ordination within the Reformed Church in America
Placement & Transcript Requests
Ministry Position Postings submitted by churches and other ministries
Statistics on placement within 6 months of graduating.
Need a transcript? Download and complete this transcript request form and mail it to Registrar, Western Theological Seminary 101 E. 13th St., Holland, MI 49423. You may also fax this request to 616-392-8889 along with payment to a credit card. (Fill out the credit card info on the transcript request form or call the Registrar at 616-392-8555, x120 to relay your credit card info.)