Equipping church leaders around the world
Luther Seminary is blessed with students from many parts of the world. This diverse community of many traditions, ethnicities and ages is united by a deep faith in Jesus Christ. Together, seminarians study, serve, worship and pray to better equip themselves to minister to God’s world.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) is committed to providing international students the best experience while at Luther Seminary.
Scholarships
International applicants whose church is a global companion of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) may be eligible to apply for generous scholarship support through the ELCA International Leaders Program, in partnership with Luther Seminary. ELCA scholarships provide additional financial support, including some living expenses, and can support students in the M.A., Th.M., or Ph.D. programs.
Applications to this program are due by October 31 of the year prior to enrollment, and access instructions are distributed to companion church head offices each year. Applicants must be endorsed by their home church body in order to apply. Luther Seminary works together with the ELCA International Leaders Program and companion churches to determine priorities for financial aid. You may contact the ELCA scholarship team at GlobalScholars@elca.org.
International applicants admitted to Luther Seminary receive full-tuition support through our generous donors to the Jubilee Scholarship fund. International applicants are encouraged to apply to the M.A., Th.M., or Ph.D. degree programs.
Application process
Luther Seminary welcomes applications from international students who want to apply directly to Luther Seminary.
Please note: all international applicants must now complete a mandatory pre-application form.
International applicants must meet English language proficiency as part of their admissions requirements. International applicants may be required to submit either a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores must not be more than two years old at the time of application. Other recognized test scores will be evaluated on a case by case basis. International applicants must have the following minimum test scores to qualify for admission:
Master of Arts
- TOEFL: Composite score of 80 or above
- IELTS: 6.5 or above
Master of Theology, Doctor of Philosophy
- TOEFL: Composite score of 80 or above (reading at least 22; listening at least 20; speaking at least 18; writing at least 20).
- IELTS: 7.0 or above
Luther Seminary’s test code with the Educational Testing Service, which administers the TOEFL, is 6377.
Student life
Luther Seminary’s international students are just some of the students who make up the ecumenical and diverse student body.
While your main point of contact at Luther Seminary is the Office of International Students and Scholar Affairs, you are encouraged to engage fully with the entire seminary community. You can serve on Student Council or in student groups, participate in worship services and community events, apply for an on-campus job, and so much more!
Important Information about the 2027-2028 Application Cycle
Luther Seminary has updated its international application guidelines for the Fall 2027 entry term. To ensure all prospective students receive appropriate support, designated eligibility criteria have been established for Master’s applications and a mandatory pre-application form has been introduced for international applicants to all degree programs.
Who is eligible to apply for the Master of Arts (M.A.) program for Fall 2027? International applications to the M.A. program are open to candidates who are either recommended by a member church of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) or candidates currently residing in the United States.
What if I plan to apply to the Master of Theology (Th.M.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program – can I still apply for Fall 2027? Yes, the office of Advanced Theological Education will continue to accept and review applications to the Th.M. and Ph.D. programs for Fall 2027. You must already hold a qualifying first graduate-level theological degree to apply to these programs. Please review the full criteria for eligibility to apply to the Th.M. and the Ph.D. before starting an application.
What is the Mandatory Pre-Application Form requirement? Before beginning an application, all international applicants must complete a mandatory pre-application form to confirm their eligibility for their intended program. Once eligibility is verified, instructions to complete the official application will be provided.
Can I start my Master’s program in Fall 2027 if I deferred from Fall 2026? Yes. An approved deferral allows you to start your coursework and transfer your scholarship to Fall 2027. Please continue working with International Student and Scholar Affairs to update your immigration documentation.
When will the application for Fall 2027 open and will I be able to apply then? The application for Fall 2027 will open in September 2026.
If I am a member of an LWF church, should I apply to the ELCA International Leaders Program? Yes! You are encouraged to complete an application to the ELCA International Leaders Program (please note: this application is through the ELCA, not Luther Seminary). To get started, you may inquire with the ELCA at GlobalScholars@elca.org to verify that you are a member of an ELCA companion church. Please note, applications to the ELCA ILP program are due by October 31 of the year prior to enrollment, and access instructions are distributed to companion church head offices each year. Applicants must be endorsed by their home church body in order to apply. When applying to ILP, you may indicate your interest in Luther Seminary. ELCA International Leaders Program will then submit a list to Luther Seminary while you simultaneously apply to Luther Seminary.
Regardless of my eligibility to apply for Fall 2027, what should I do to strengthen my application for future admission cycles? We advise that you continue to strengthen your academic record, develop your verbal and written skills in English, take advantage of cross-cultural experiences, and build a strong resume of ministry leadership and community service in your local community. It is also highly recommended to pursue formal and informal theological studies in your local community or online.
Are there other opportunities to learn from Luther Seminary? Yes! We strongly encourage checking out Faith+Lead and the many on-demand courses, certificates, live webinars, podcasts, eBooks, toolkits and other digital resources available through the platform. Also, you can access free resources through the Global Partners Resource Guide, created by the Luther Seminary library. Participating in formal and informal theological training such as these offerings can help strengthen an application to seminary, though it does not guarantee admission.
When will the application for Fall 2028 open and will I be able to apply then? The seminary will need to continue to evaluate the matriculation trends of its newest incoming international Master of Arts cohort before making a final determination about new admissions for Fall 2028. Please stay tuned for more information.