Discover a Greater Purpose

Divinity, MDiv


Prepare yourself for a fulfilling future in ministerial and public leadership. Our unique, three-year M.Div. program seeks to shape the entire person for faithful service to the church and to the world.

New Hybrid-Online M.Div Option
Beginning in fall 2022, the M.Div program will be offered in a hybrid-online format. Students can choose to attend in-person on the LTSS campus or through a hybrid-online format that combines remote learning with face-to-face educational experiences, including the required semesters of supervised field experience and on-campus gatherings twice per year.

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As a student, you'll join a close, Christ-centered community where faculty will teach, form and nurture you throughout your journey at the seminary—and beyond. You may also benefit from the deep connections LTSS has to the local and regional community, where many of our students begin their public service.

Our graduates are prepared to succeed in a variety of ministry settings, especially in congregations.

The major components of our curriculum are fourfold:

  • Religious heritage: Understanding Christian heritage through the study of scripture, theology and church history.
  • Cultural context: Understanding various cultural contexts of Christian ministry through particular courses and ministry experiences.
  • Personal and spiritual formation: Growing in personal faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity and public witness as a member of a community in which you study, worship and serve together.
  • Ministerial and public leadership: Practice and reflect upon various kinds of ministries in your internships and other field education experiences.

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Take the next step toward completing your Master of Divinity degree at LTSS.

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Take the next step toward completing your Master of Divinity degree at LTSS.

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Students Come from Many Denominations


Many of our students are Lutheran, but not all of them are. At Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, we believe that being Lutheran means being in relationship with other denominations. That’s why some of our students are Methodists, some are Baptists and there are students from other denominations as well. Your questions and insights have a place here regardless of your denomination.

Some students enter seminary with extensive academic background in religious studies and theology. Others have experience in ministry, which may be relevant to certain courses. If you believe you are one of these students, please contact the registrar at registrar@lr.edu, who will consider your circumstances in consultation with the dean or other appropriate faculty and staff.

 

Amanda Burke

Each of the programs on the Columbia campus shares a beautiful piece in common, serving others. These programs all nurture students that are called to serve others...

Amanda Burke, M.Div'21

Accreditation


Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada, the Commission on Accrediting. The following degree programs are approved: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts Religion, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Master of Sacred Theology.

Course Delivery Format


Beginning in fall 2022, M.Div. students will have the opportunity to complete the curriculum in a hybrid format as an alternative to residing on or commuting to campus. It will combine remote learning with face-to-face educational experiences, including the required semesters of supervised field experience and on-campus gatherings twice per year.

The hybrid option still offers students opportunities for fellowship and formational events with faculty and residential students.

Degree Requirements

Offered in Columbia through December 2024; offered in Hickory beginning Spring 2025

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is a three-year program (84 credit hours) that prepares persons for ordained ministry in most mainline churches. It is also available to students who wish to integrate ministerial formation into other kinds of professions. The MDiv is open to students of all denominations. This curriculum seeks to shape the entire person for faithful service to the church and to the world. The MDiv can be used to fulfill the Disciplinary Basic Graduate Theological Studies (BGTS) courses and certain other conference membership and ordination requirements in the United Methodist Church. It also applies to those who have completed the UMC's Basic Course of Study and have a bachelor's degree.

Admission Requirements

Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements.

News & Events

Rebecca Rabb with Pegi Roberts (right) and Tracey Gibson (left) in Christ Chapel.

When she retired from the Army Nurse Corps, Rebecca Rabb, MTS '27, looked for a new way to care for others and found it as a faith community nurse.

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Jace Martinez and wife Julia

Jace Martinez, M.Div. ’26, lived a life on the move for many years – Owatonna, Minnesota, to the U.S. Army, to Texas State University, to LTSS. So many relocations have given him a special interest in and appreciation for the idea of pilgrimage.

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