Equipping leaders for ministry one class at a time
Introducing Luther Seminary’s suite of Graduate Certificates, recently refreshed by the seminary faculty to be even more responsive to the needs of Christian communities and their emerging leaders, and now eligible for 100% full-tuition support through the Jubilee Scholarship.
Graduate Certificate students are practitioners currently serving in ministry contexts who desire to strengthen and deepen their skills for ministry leadership.
You will take classes in a structured learning community alongside a cohort of other emerging leaders. You will begin your course of study with one on-campus, 3-day intensive where you will meet your peers and anchor your course of study. You can then continue your program online (synchronous and/or asynchronous) and can take one course at a time for maximum flexibility.
Graduate Certificate Application
Graduate certificate programs are comprised of six graduate courses and can be completed in one-two years through a mix of 3-day intensives and online learning. Students desiring to apply their course toward a Master of Arts or Master of Divinity degree will be required to complete a degree change process and meet the criteria for those programs. Admission into a Graduate Certificate program does not guarantee admission into a degree program.
Concentrations
Please visit Luther’s Graduate Certificate Pathways for detailed course information.
Bible, History of Christianity and Systematic Theology
The certificate program in Bible, History of Christianity, and Systematic Theology is designed for people who desire a basic grounding in Christian theology, scripture and tradition. This certificate is well-suited for those serving in Christian adult education or individuals seeking to build a scripturally and historically-sound theological framework for their ministry.
Biblical Preaching
The certificate program in Biblical Preaching is designed for persons in ministry with no formal theological education who desire the tools to prepare and deliver faithful sermons grounded in the Bible. This certificate is well-suited for those with minimal or no preaching experience who have been called to preach the Word in their local context.
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
The certificate program in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry is designed for people who desire a basic grounding in and deepening of children, youth and family ministry. This certificate is well-suited for those serving in CYF contexts (i.e. outdoor ministries, congregations, and other faith-based programming) who seek to learn alongside a cohort of other CYF practitioners.
Christian Ministry
The Certificate in Christian Ministry prepares students for public leadership in a variety of contexts and roles by equipping individuals with a basic grounding in worship, preaching, discipleship and congregational care and formation This certificate is well-suited for Synodically Authorized Ministers, Local Licensed Pastors, and other individuals serving in congregations
Cultivating New Christian Communities
The Certificate in Cultivating New Christian Communities equips students to design and lead new Christian communities focused on introducing people to Jesus and making disciples who integrate faith into daily life. This certificate is well-suited for people wanting to experiment with various models of ministry and learn practices that engage neighbors with a cohort of other entrepreneurial ministry practitioners.
ELCA Candidacy Completion
The Certificate in ELCA Candidacy Completion prepares individuals who have already earned a theological degree or are already ordained in another tradition and are seeking to complete candidacy requirements for ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This certificate is well-suited for ELCA Affiliates and others who only need a handful of courses and who may need to complete contextual learning requirements for ordination (i.e. internship). Students enrolled in this certificate will build a candidate plan with their candidacy committee or synod and the seminary’s Contextual Learning office. ELCA Affiliates enrolled in the certificate program will be responsible for the affiliation fee.
Global Partners
The Global Partners Graduate Certificate is designed to provide a pathway for students enrolled in degrees at our global partner institutions to take courses at Luther Seminary. Applicants will be limited to those currently enrolled at our partner institutions or a Lutheran World Federation member church. This certificate is highly customizable to support the education of leaders in the global church.