Admission Requirements - Master of Theology degree

Applications for admission to the master of theology program are made to the Associate Dean - Graduate Theological Education ("associate dean") at Luther Seminary.

Applicantion materials for U.S. applicants should normally be received at least 30 days in advance of the term in which admission is sought. International applicants should contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs for deadline information (iss@luthersem.edu).

Admission requirements include:

1. A First Degree in Theology: Applicants must have a master of arts, master of divinity, or bachelor of divinity degree (or equivalent) from an accredited theological school.
2. Acceptable Grade Point Average: Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the first degree(s) in theology.
3. Application Form: Application forms are available on request from the Office of Graduate Theological Education at Luther Seminary, or you may view and print application forms here.
4. Transcripts: Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work must be sent directly from the schools to the Office of Graduate Theological Education at Luther Seminary. Applicants who graduated from Luther Seminary within 20 years from the time of application may submit a "Transcript Release Authorization" form to the Office of the Registrar for release of the undergraduate transcript. You may view and print the release form here.
5. Recommendations: Three letters of academic recommendation are to be sent directly to the associate dean. Forms for these recommendations may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Theological Education or downloaded from the link just below.  If an applicant comes from a school that does not give letter grades or uses some form of pass/fail system, the applicant must provide names and contact information of three additional professors with whom the applicant has studied. You may view and print recommendation forms here.
6. TOEFL Score: (International applicants only) International applicants are required to submit a score from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The internet-based test (iBT) TOEFL score is preferred, although the computer-based and paper-based test scores will be accepted. The iBT score must be 80 or above, with a reading rating of at least 22; listening of at least 20; speaking of at least 18; and writing of at least 20. Luther Seminary's test code with the Educational Testing Service, which administers the TOEFL, is #6377. The IELTS score must be 7.0 or above.  Neither test's score can be more than two years old.
7. Clinical Pastoral Education (Pastoral care applicants only): One unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in an approved, accredited program is a prerequisite for admission to the pastoral care area of study.

For further information contact:

• Paul Lokken, Associate Dean, Graduate Theological Education; 651-641-3234; gte@luthersem.edu
• Katie Dahl, Associate Director & Program Coordinator, Graduate Theological Education, 651-641-3203; gte@luthersem.edu