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.

The Pre-Deaconess Program is designed to provide interested students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in preparation for graduate education leading to certification as a Deaconess. The student who completes the Pre-Deaconess Program will have a broad-based liberal arts education which will include an academic major of her choosing supplemented by a core of classes designed to provide a theological/sociological base for further study at the seminary level.

General Education Core 44 hours
Pre-Deaconess Core 30 hours
Major/Minor/Electives 54 hours
Pre-Deaconess Core: 30 hours
Theo-251/2 Interpretation of Pauline Epistles/Gospels 3 hours
Theo-361 Christian Doctrine I 3 hours
Theo-362 Christian Doctrine II 3 hours
Theo-450 Understanding and Teaching the Bible 3 hours
CTA-211 Public Speaking 3 hours
CTA-309 Small Group Theory 3 hours
Soc-331 The Family 3 hours
Psy-442 Introduction to Counseling 3 hours
Choice from recommended courses 6 hours

Recommended Courses:

Phil-201 History of Philosophical Thought I 3 hours
Phil-202 History of Philosophical Thought II 3 hours
Theo-381 Christian Teacher’s Ministry 2 hours
Theo-382 Theology of Corporate Worship 3 hours
Theo-385 Parish Visitation and Evangelism 3 hours
Theo-483 Sexuality and the Family 3 hours
Theo-487 Planning Adult Education in the Parish 3 hours
Soc-221 Social Problems 3 hours
Soc-335 Sociology of Religion 3 hours
Gero-205 Adult Aging and Development 3 hours
Hist-313 Religion and Society in the United States 3 hours
Hist-335 The Renaissance and The Reformation 3 hours
Educ-388 Youth Ministry Theory & Methods 3 hours
Educ-483 Leadership Development 3 hours
Educ-484 Confirmation Planning and Implementation 2 hours
Educ-485 Parish Education Program Administration 3 hours
Grk-101 Greek 1 3 hours
Grk-102 Greek 2 3 hours
Heb-101 Hebrew 1 3 hours
Heb-102 Hebrew 2 3 hours

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.