Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
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Tuition Information

At BKSM, we try to keep tuition as affordable as possible. As such, you tuition dollars simply cover the operational costs for offering a course: faculty stipend, food, and overnight accommodations. Further, we believe that cost should never be a barrier for pursing a certificate program - scholarships are readily available to support students throughout their academic formation.

2023-2024 Tuition (per course)
  • In person: $240 (covers tuition, Upton Hall accommodations, four meals, refreshments)
  • Last-minute change to Zoom: $207
  • Zoom: $165
  • Audit: $100

For students on an ordination track, it is suggested that the cost of tuition be shared among the student, their parish, and the sending diocese. However, each student is responsible for determining his or her level of diocesan and/or parish support.

For individuals who wish to audit a particular course, the cost is $100 per class whether you take the class in person or on line. Auditing means that you will prepare for the class ahead of time (by completing the reading assignments) and attend the focus weekend, but you do not need to complete any of the writing assignments.


The cost of books and other materials is not included in the cost of tuition, which  averages $50-$75 per class.

If you do not wish to stay at Upton Hall, there are many hotels in the area.  Two nearby hotels are Cyrus Hotel and Hotel Topeka at City Center.


Scholarship Opportunities at BKSM

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (BKSM) is dedicated to offering high-quality, yet affordable theological education for all students it serves.

Thanks to  generous supporters,  BKSM has established three different scholarship programs:
  • The Jim Upton Scholarship is available to lay students wishing to take a class for personal enrichment.  Students enrolled in one of BKSM's four lay certificate programs are also eligible to apply.
  • The Dean's Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that recognizes one second- or third-year student on an ordination track (diaconal studies, presbyteral studies, Anglican studies) each year.
  • General scholarships are available to any student currently on an ordination track (diaconal studies, presbyteral studies, Anglican studies)

Click on the links above to learn more about eligibility guidelines, the selection process and the application process for each of these three scholarships.

The general scholarship fund is supported through donations from alumni, students, and other friends of Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. If you wish to donate to the scholarship fund, you may make a donation by cash or check. We are not accepting online donations at this time.

Please email the Rev. Casey Rohleder ('16) at bksmoutreach@gmail.com if you have any questions about BKSM scholarships.
Address for Tuition Payments/Donations:
The Very Rev. Don Compier, BKSM Dean
410 SE Independence Ave.

Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Physical Address:
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry

701 SW 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry is a collaborative venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, West Missouri, Nebraska and Western Kansas.
BKSM also partners with the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
BKSM offers classes and programs to educate people for church leadership in both lay and ordained vocations.