Program options

Major

Theology - 30 hours

Three hours from Theo-241, 242, 251, 252; three hours from Theo-331, 418 and three hours from Theo-450; three hours from Phil-201, 202, 301 and six hours from Theo-361, 362, 363; six hours from Hist-313, 334, 335, Theo-371, 375; six hours from Theo-382, 385, 390, 460, 465, 482, 483.

Minor

Theology - 11–12 hours

Theo-331 or 450; Hist-313 or Theo-375; Theo-382; Theo-381 or 482.

A subject major is available to students pursuing a degree in education.

Subject endorsements in theology are available to students seeking to graduate with DCE certification and a Bachelor of Science Degree in middle level and secondary education.

A student seeking to graduate with DCE certification and Bachelor of Arts Degree may major in theology.

PROGRAM GOALS

Concordia’s pre-seminary program prepares students for admission to a theological seminary, where further studies may be pursued leading to the ordained pastoral ministry. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to most seminary programs. Concordia’s pre-seminary program is designed to coordinate specifically with the Master of Divinity (ordination track) program of both seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS); those seminary programs include four years of post-baccalaureate education (three years of classroom work plus one year of vicarage internship). While designed chiefly with the LCMS student in mind, students of other denominations may profitably participate in many facets of Concordia’s pre-seminary program (such students are encouraged to investigate the admission requirements of the seminary associated with their particular interest or denomination).

Concordia’s pre-seminary program is rooted in the liberal arts tradition and includes an emphasis in the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew (LCMS seminaries require biblical language proficiency), along with a background in philosophy and the humanities.

PROGRAM ACADEMICS

Concordia’s pre-seminary program offers great flexibility to students at the university to participate in a variety of programs and majors that may suit their particular interests. The program includes ten core courses (30 hours) that will prepare the student well for further seminary training and eventual pastoral service. The pre-seminary core courses are in the following areas:

1. Greek (12 hours): Grk-101, 102, 201, 202;
2. Hebrew (9 hours): Heb-101, 102, 201;
3. Philosophy (6 hours): choose from Phil-201, 202, 301;
4. Public Speaking (3 hours): CTA-211.

It is highly recommended that students not begin the pre-seminary core of courses until they have completed their first year in residence at Concordia. Transfer students should consult with the pre-seminary program director to determine the beginning of their enrollment in the pre-seminary core of courses. The above core courses may not be taken on a Pass/No Record basis by students within the pre-seminary program.

Since the pre-seminary program does not constitute a major within a specific academic program, the above core of courses may be taken in conjunction with any other degree program and/or major offered at Concordia. Students may participate in the pre-seminary program within:

1. The Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts/Liberal Arts programs
2. The Bachelor of Science Education programs
3. The Bachelor of Music programs
4. The Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.

Pre-seminary students at Concordia participate in a wide-variety of degree programs, including elementary education, middle level education, secondary education, director of Christian education, business administration, computer science, etc. Adding the pre-seminary core of courses may increase the number of hours in a program beyond the 128 minimum hours required for graduation. Historically, the majority of pre-seminary students have graduated with a Bachelor of Arts/Liberal Arts degree; virtually every liberal arts major has been pursued and proven beneficial in some manner for the pastoral ministry.

See also: Please check the course catalog for other information about programs in which you are interested.