Before entering seminary

• Obtain your bachelor degree (any major).
• At least a year before beginning seminary study, meet with your synod or judicatory to enter the candidacy process.
• Consider visiting Luther Seminary.
• Consider attending a discernment event.

• Apply to Luther Seminary.

• Consider taking Greek (prerequisite for all New Testament courses. Available at Luther Seminary summer, fall and January terms).

You've been accepted!

Begin your master of divinity degree. This description of the next four years is a sample. Not every student follows the same path or goes at the same pace. Use this key to help you understand the steps we've described:

	Non-credit requirement
	Strongly Encourage Participation
	Contextual leadership Check the academic catalog for more information about contextual leadership at Luther Seminary, and visit the Contextual Leadership Initiative web site.
	Optional times Requirement may be fulfilled at other times during the course of your education.
	Candidacy requirement For more information about the ELCA candidacy process (required for those who wish to be ordained or rostered in the ELCA), visit www.elca.org/candidacy. To get in touch with your synod, go to www.elca.org/synod.
	See academic catalog

Year One

• First Week (orientation)

• Weekly discipleship small group

• Contextual leadership placement
  in a local congregation
• Courses in the following areas:
  Bible Language
  Bible
  Theology
  Leadership
  Cross-cultural Mission Experience
  Electives
• Bible Proficiency Exam
• Clinical Pastoral Education

Year Two

• Weekly discipleship small group
• Contextual leadership placement
  in a local congregation
• Courses in the following areas:
  Bible
  Theology
  Leadership
  Electives
• ELCA candidacy endorsement

Year Three

• ELCA students are required to spend
  one year in a congregation internship.

Year Four

• ELCA candidacy approval
• Weekly discipleship small group
• Courses in the following areas:
  Bible
  Theology
  Leadership
  Electives
• ELCA candidacy regional and synod assignments
• Commencement