Steps in Affiliation

• Obtain entrance to candidacy from your synod candidacy committee.
   
• Apply for admission (affiliated) through the Office of Admissions and submit the $500 affiliation fee and entrance approval documents during your first term of studies at the non-ELCA seminary.
   
• Upon meeting admission requirements, receive MDIV-affiliated status from Luther and be assigned a faculty advisor.
   
• Visit Luther Seminary for an Affiliation Consultation.
   
• Complete one unit (400 hours) of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
   
• Present plan for Lutheran year to candidacy committee as part of endorsement interview (or earlier if applicable).
   
• If you will be completing your Lutheran year requirements after you obtain your MDIV, you will need to apply for admission through the Graduate Theological Education Office in advance of the term for which you plan to begin studies.
   
• Make plans with the Contextual Leadership Initiative Office regarding supervised internship.
   
• Participate in a supervised internship. (Students must be endorsed by the candidacy committee before beginning internship.)
   
• Complete a year of residency at Luther Seminary. The year of residency can take place at any point concurrent to a student’s M.Div. program or following the completion of an M.Div. at a non-ELCA seminary.  Contact the registrar's office to sign a transcript release to have your transcript sent to your candidacy committee.
   
• Complete faculty and synod approval and assignment for first call.

The ordering of these steps may change based on individual circumstances and plans for completing ordination requirements.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to maintain ongoing contact with Luther, initiating contact with appropriate faculty and staff to fulfill the candidacy requirements.

Affiliation is expected to take place within the candidate’s first term of study at the non-ELCA seminary. Affiliation and admission to the seminary is based on the admission requirements of the M.Div. or Graduate Theological Education programs of the seminary. Your affiliation requires continued good academic standing at your primary seminary and continued progress with ELCA candidacy. The ELCA Education and Vocation Unit has determined that an affiliation fee of $500 to be paid to the ELCA Seminary at the time of application for affiliation. Other tuition and fees are outlined in the Luther Seminary catalog and are applied after the candidate is enrolled at Luther.