MDiv in Lutheran Studies

The MDiv in Lutheran Studies program prepares you for pastoral ministry or other rostered leadership within the Lutheran Church. This particular program is designed around the ELCA requirements for seminary preparation and includes a “Lutheran year” or equivalent of coursework which can be taken at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

This program may be a good fit for you if you plan to pursue a career in ordained ministry as a rostered leader in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) including, but not limited to, such roles as a pastor in a local congregation or as a chaplain in a hospital or other professional or ministerial setting.

This program is offered in partnership with Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. See the Luther Seminary catalog on their website for the schedule of required courses that can be taken at a distance.

CONCENTRATION LEARNING OUTCOMES

In addition to achieving the core MDiv degree learning outcomes, a graduate of the Lutheran Studies program will be able to:

• demonstrate skills for effective, professional, ethical, and compassionate pastoral and spiritual care to a diversity of persons;
• articulate strategies for effective, professional, ethical, and compassionate pastoral and spiritual care to a diversity of persons;
• craft, deliver, and reflect on a sermon or public address that demonstrates effective speaking form/style and content based on a selected context; and
• demonstrate competence in Systematic Theology and Christian Ministry Praxis (see Luther Seminary).

UNITED’S MDIV IN LUTHERAN STUDIES AT A GLANCE

• 72 credits
• Twenty-four 3-credit courses, including two field experiences
• A final thesis or project is not required, but you can use an elective to pursue either
• Can be completed in three years if you take a full-time course load (24 credits per year)
• Most MDiv concentrations, including Lutheran Studies, can be completed entirely via distance learning