See the Graduate Certificates page for degree requirements and other program details for these Graduate Certificate programs:
- Bible, History of Christianity, and Systematic Theology (Fall start only)
- Biblical Preaching (Fall start only)
- Children, Youth, and Family Ministry (Winter start only)
- Christian Ministry (Fall start only)
- Cultivating New Christian Communities (Fall start only)
- ELCA Candidacy Completion (Fall or Winter start only)
You may also benefit from reviewing the Luther Seminary Applicant Handbook.
Please note that scholarship funding is available for Graduate Certificate students who are currently serving in a ministry context and have the support of their faith community or judicatory authority. See the Graduate Certificate Nomination Form.
Prerequisites and Application Deadlines
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university – those without a Bachelor’s degree can complete a Statement of Academic Readiness
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
- International Students — please see International Student Applications
Application deadline
- Certificate in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry (Winter Start): December 1, 2024
- ALL other Graduate Certificates (Fall Start): June 1, 2025
The online application and all supporting documents must be submitted to complete your application. Your application will not be considered by the admissions committee until it is complete.
1. Submit Online Application
Submit the online application (below) to begin the process. You will be asked to provide detailed information and will respond to a series of questions related to the program for which you apply. You can save your progress and return to submit your online application at any time. Please be prepared to provide the contact information for your recommendations (described in more detail below).
Once your initial application is received, you will be sent an email that walks you through the next steps in the application process and notifies you of your missing materials. You can check your online admissions portal at anytime to track your application progress.
2. Submit Supporting Documents
Transcripts
Please request official transcripts from every college or university from which you have received credit. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Admissions Office by the issuing institution (we cannot accept opened transcripts received from applicants themselves). The most efficient and preferred method is to request electronic parchment be sent to admissions@luthersem.edu. You can also have the institution mail transcript to 2481 Como Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55108 (please send via USPS to ensure proper delivery during mailroom hours, M-F, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Once received, your online application portal will be updated.
Resume
Please submit a resume with relevant vocational, ministry, leadership and service experience (no more than 2 pages) – you will submit this through your online application portal.
Recommendations
At the time of submitting your online application, you will be asked to provide contact information for two recommenders.
- Pastor/Ministry Mentor Recommendation
- Teacher/Academic Recommendation (Alternate: Work Supervisor if you graduated over five years ago)
The online application portal will contact your recommenders at the provided email addresses with the appropriate recommendation forms.
Graduate Certificate Nomination
Newly-admitted Graduate Certificate students nominated by their faith communities qualify for tuition support through the Jubilee Scholarship program, made possible by Luther Seminary’s generous donors.
The intent of this scholarship is to lift up leaders for Christian Communities called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God’s world. To that end, Graduate Certificate students should be serving in a ministry context in some capacity, volunteer or otherwise.
Separate from a recommendation form, the Graduate Certificate Nomination form is sent by a judicatory, church, or faith community representative who see gifts for Christian leadership in the nominated candidate for whom a Graduate Certificate program is a faithful next step in their leadership formation.
Additional Materials
If your previous GPA falls below the 3.0 minimum you will also be asked to submit a Statement of Academic Readiness – you will submit this through your online application portal.
3. Attend Virtual Admissions Conversation
Scheduled with a staff representative, the Admissions Conversation is an opportunity to share more about you, your story, and how God is calling you forward in your life and vocation. You’ll learn more about program expectations, course modalities, and scheduling commitments and explore the many resources available to Luther Seminary students. This will also be an opportune time to discuss any questions, concerns, or curiosities you have about the seminary journey.
Once your application is complete
Once we have received your online application and all supporting documents and your application is complete, your file will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Luther Seminary has a collaborative review process that requires sufficient lead time before the Admissions Committee meets. If your application and all of your supporting documents are not received within the lead time accounted for in the above application deadlines and needed to ensure a thoughtful review, it may not be reviewed until the following committee meeting. Admissions Committee meeting dates are not public.
You will be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision through your online application portal. If you are accepted, you will be asked to send affirmation of intent forms to the Admissions Office through the online application portal.