Purpose

The Deaconess Progam at Concordia Theological Seminary trains competent, theologically trained women who can serve professionally in the church in such areas as human care, counseling, visitation, loss/mourning, social ministry, teaching the faith with and under the direction of the Pastoral office. The program provides capable women with in-depth theological education at the master's level and an appropriate office for the practical use of such theological education in The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.

Admission Requirements

Entering students are required to have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must be a member of a congregation in The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod for a minimum of two years prior to admission.

Admission Procedures

1. An application for admission must be submitted, including a $35.00 non-refundable application fee.
2. A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor is required.
3. Two additional letters of recommendation must be submitted.
4. The applicant should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the Admission Office by the Registrar of the college(s) previously attended.

Qualified Admission

A “Qualified Admission” may be granted to those applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.50, which may indicate that the applicant may be a marginal student and may not be prepared for the demands of the Master of Arts degree program. This qualified admission will consist of the student completing at least three seminary courses. This probationary period will be lifted and full admission status will be granted if, at the completion of the three seminary courses, the student has earned a grade of B- or higher in all three courses. This would then demonstrate the student’s ability to meet the basic expectations of the Master of Arts degree program.

The student would then be subject to the grading standard of B- or higher in future courses in order for them to be counted towards the Master of Arts degree. However, if any of the three courses do not have a grade of B- or higher, the student will be discontinued from the Master of Arts degree program.

Degree Requirements

1. Hours and Grades.
   Students must successfully complete 72 quarter hours of course work with a cumulative GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale. Courses in the M.A. program are chosen from the M.Div. curriculum.
2. Deaconess Required Coursework - 57 hours
   

   HISTORICAL THEOLOGY -- 12 hours • HIT 130 Early Church • HIT 140 History of     Deaconesses • HIT 230 Reformation Era • HIT 430 Lutheran Church    in America EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY -- 9 hours • EXT 117/118 Luke or John • EXT 212/213 Romans    or Galatians • EXT 218/410 Genesis or     Isaiah SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY -- 9 hours • SYT 120 Lutheran    Confessions I • SYT 121 Lutheran    Confessions II • SYT 221 Christology

   DEACONESS COURSES -- 27 hours • PMM 243 Parish Education • PMM P568 Ministry to the Sick    and Dying • PMM 446 Theological Ethics • PMM Counseling Course • PMM 142 Lutheran Worship • PMM 290 Human Care     Seminar I • PMM 291 Human Care     Seminar II • PMM 260 Deaconess Practice • PMM 301 Deaconess     Internship • PMM 302 Deaconess Seminar    (0 credit hours,     post internship)

   
   
   
3. Deaconess Elective Coursework - 15 hours
   Students are required to take 15 elective hours, except for those students who have 30 or more quarter hours of credit (20 or more semester hours) in religion or theology on the bachelor’s level, from a college or another seminary.
4. Deaconess Field Education
   Deaconess students will engage in field work concurrent with seminary studies. During the Fall Quarter of the first year of studies, each student will be placed in a local congregation under the supervision of the pastor. Depending upon the needs of the congregation, the pastor will assign field work activities with the agreement of the Director. Typical deaconess field work may include shut-in home visits and/or hospital visits, women’s Bible studies and devotions for women’s group activities, facilitating of youth activities and Bible studies, and children’s Sunday school teaching. Verbatim assignments and discussion will be completed and shared during the Field Education hour.
5. Deaconess Internship
   Following completion of coursework, deaconess students are placed in a congregation or institution in a deaconess internship position for a period of one year. This opportunity for application of studies and skills is overseen by the supervising pastor and supported by the deaconess internship coordinator. Evaluations and periodic reviews provide guidance in the professional development and growth process.
6. Theological Interview
   Deaconess students will conclude their studies by engaging in a theological interview with two professors and one deaconess concerning theological and diaconal issues.
7. Requirements for the M.A. degree program must be completed within ten years of the student’s admission into the program.

Course Restrictions

Transfer Credit