Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
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Tuition Information

If you are enrolled on an ordination, lay certificate or parish ministry associate (PMA) track, each course costs $210 when courses are meeting for focus weekends in Topeka. During this pandemic time when focus weekends take place entirely on Zoom, for-credit tuition is $130 per class. 

It is suggested that the cost of tuition be shared among the student, his or  her 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.

In person course fees include:
  • tuition
  • overnight  accommodations at Upton Hall
  • four meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday,  breakfast on Sunday) during focus weekends.

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, including Senate Luxury Suites, which is in walking distance to the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry campus. BKSM has a special rate of $75.57/night (tax inclusive) for students and faculty at Senate Suites.


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 Kansas, 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.