See the Master of Arts page for degree completion requirements and other program details. You may also benefit from reviewing the Luther Seminary Applicant Handbook.
Prerequisites and Application Deadlines
Prerequisites
- Personal Qualifications of a Luther Seminary Student
- Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0+ on a 4.0 scale
- The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is NOT required for admission to Master of Arts degree programs.
- International Students — please see International Student Applications
Application deadlines
- Early Priority – December 1, 2024
- To qualify for Fund for Leaders (ELCA applicants) – January 31, 2025
- International Applicants Final Deadline – March 1, 2025
- Domestic Applicants Final Deadline – 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. We recommend planning for 1-3 weeks to complete an M.A. application.
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 degree 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 (four if you are an international student).
- Pastor/Ministry Mentor Recommendation
- Teacher/Academic Recommendation (Alternate: Work Supervisor if you graduated over five years ago)
The online application portal will automatically contact your recommenders at the provided email addresses with the appropriate recommendation forms.
Additional Materials
If you are also an applicant seeking or planning to seek ordination into rostered ministry, you will be required to submit the following additional supporting documents to complete your application:
- Authorization for release form – you will submit this through your online application portal.
- Candidacy Confirmation and Update form indicating the expected date of your entrance interview or candidacy status (to be completed by a judicatory, synod or candidacy committee representative) – the Admissions Committee may also request full entrance into candidacy or equivalent process on a case-by-case basis.
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 degree 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.