Master of Divinity (M.Div)

The M.Div. Curriculum offers an intentional approach to the multi-cultural context in which the church carries out its mission. Degree requirements include courses in ecumenical theology and the church in a pluralistic world and an off-campus cross-cultural experience. Throughout their seminary formation, M.Div. students are evaluated for their readiness for ordained ministry according to expectations that include:
• the ability to integrate the biblical, historical and theological knowledge acquired in the classroom into one’s own faith and daily life and to help others to grow in their Christian faith;
• preaching, teaching, leading worship, communicating the gospel, theological reflection, and spiritual integrity;
• developing a pastoral identity grounded in the gospel for effective ministry among God’s people;
• faithful stewardship of personal, church and professional resources for parish administration and management;
• active participation in the wider church, and continuing education;
• healthy, open and affirming ways of relating to others in order to nurture and strengthen effective ministry;
• social and political sensitivities and an awareness of the global and inclusive nature of the church, all of which enable a gospel response to human need and injustice; and
• seeking professional consultation and guidance for behaviors that impede the gospel and hinder effective ministry.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program must have or be completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited institution. No particular major is required, but facility in thinking and skills in language usage are essential for a successful course of study. The seminary may require additional undergraduate coursework from applicants whose application and transcripts reveal serious deficiencies in crucial areas.

The M.Div. Curriculum includes academic studies and a variety of contextual learning experiences throughout the four years. The three residential years include sixteen-week fall and spring semesters of required and elective academic courses, a cross-cultural experience – usually in January of the first (junior) or second (middler) year, junior and middler year field education, and a basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Part-time Program schedule for earning the M.Div degree in six years

Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)

M.A.R. degree program is a two-year course of study designed to prepare persons for lay church occupations such as Christian education, youth ministry, or teaching religious subjects on the secondary or post-secondary level. This program is also appropriate for persons desiring theological perspective or a broad background in the theological disciplines preparatory for further graduate study. The M.A.R. degree is the basic academic credential for Lutheran candidates seeking consecration as Diaconal Ministers or ELCA Deaconesses or certification as a Level II Associate in Ministry (see the ELCA Candidacy Manual).

Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) program must have or be completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited institution. No particular major is required, but the seminary may require additional undergraduate coursework from applicants whose application and transcripts reveal serious deficiencies in crucial areas.

Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)

S.T.M. is offered as an opportunity to pastors and others with a master’s degree in theology to enhance their ministry through further study. Students have considerable freedom to structure their study program from the courses offered in Biblical Studies, History and Systematic Theology, and Church and Ministry.
The S.T.M. degree requires 30 semester hours that may be fulfilled through either of two options for which program emphasis and curriculum are shaped in consultation with the student’s advisor (curriculum divisions are Biblical Studies, History and Systematic Theology, and Church and Ministry; see p. 57 for curriculum listings).

Admission Requirements
Applicants must have the Master of Divinity degree, the Master of Arts in Religion degree, or theological studies earned at an accredited institution in a program requiring a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. Applicants must have a master’s level cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. There are no general language requirements for this degree program; however, certain S.T.M. courses have language prerequisites (for example, some biblical studies courses require Hebrew or Greek).

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

The Doctor of Ministry degree program enables seminary graduates to develop further their scholarship and effectiveness in ministry. The Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia) cooperate to offer this degree, with Philadelphia Seminary as the degree-granting institution. The program consists of eight courses, two colloquia, and a project related to one’s ministry. Four of the eight courses (at the D.Min. or S.T.M. level) must be taken at Philadelphia Seminary, but up to four courses may be taken at Gettysburg or Southern Seminaries, or through another accredited institution of graduate education, subject to approval by Philadelphia Seminary. For information, contact the D.Min. program coordinator, Dr. Margaret Krych, Associate Dean of Graduate Education at Philadelphia Seminary: 1-800-286-4616, ext. 6347.

For additional information and/or questions, contact
the Office of Financial Aid/Scholarship