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 15 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.

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 or Master of Divinity

• TOEFL: Composite score of 80 or above
• IELTS: 6.5 or above

Master of Theology, Doctor of Philosophy, or Doctor of Ministry

• 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.

Housing

Luther Seminary is committed to providing you with housing options and assisting you with your initial adjustment. There are a limited number of on-campus, furnished dormitory rooms available for individual students.

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!

International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA)

The ISSA Office:

• partners with the Admissions Office for all international applicants, assisting students with application requirements and financial solvency documents. ISSA also evaluates and verifies the accreditation and/or degree of foreign academic credential;
• partners with the Academic Dean’s Office on invitations to international scholars;
• assists in coordinating financial resources and administering scholarship funds for all international students and scholars;
• provides relevant services and support for international students and scholars at Luther Seminary;
• leads the seminary in compliance with U.S. Federal regulations as they relate to international students/scholars who come to study, research, teach, relate at the seminary;
• works alongside leadership for the internationalization efforts of the seminary.