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.
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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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.
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.
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...
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, SC
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.
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Biblical Studies Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- BIB 500 - Survey of the Bible
- BIB 503 - Hebrew or BIB 504 - Greek 3 Credits.
- BIB elective in Gospels exegesis 3 Credits.
- BIB elective in Pauline literature exegesis 3 Credits.
- BIB elective in Old Testament 3 Credits.
- BIB elective in any biblical topic 3 Credits.
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History and Theology Courses: 24 Credit Hours
- CHS 501 - Church History I
- CHS 502 - Church History II
- THL 503 - The Vocation of the Seminarian
- THL 510 - Exploring Theology Across Contexts and Cultures
- THL 600 - Introduction to Christian Theology
- THL 650 - Christian Ethics
- Denominational theology 3 Credits. *
- Denominational history 3 Credits. *
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Ministry Courses: 17 Credit Hours
- CED course in Christian education 3 Credits.
- MIN 504 - Spiritual Practices(must complete two)
- MIN 505 - Foundations in Pastoral Care
- MIN 510 - Foundations of Christian Worship
- MIN 540 - Leadership in God's Mission**
- MIN 610 - Foundations in Preaching
- Contextual Education Courses: 10 Credit Hours
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General Electives: 15 Credit Hours
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Total Credit Hours: 84
* The two denomination-specific courses apply to Lutheran, United Methodist, and Baptist students. Other students may substitute history and/or theology electives in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
** Students may substitute for MIN 540 any approved LED course in the University's MA in Leadership program.
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Degree Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Divinity program will:
- Demonstrate emotional and spiritual maturity and faithful living appropriate to public ministry.
- Demonstrate theologically informed and self-reflective engagement of distinct human cultures and communities.
- Demonstrate competencies necessary to cultivate anti-racist discipleship.
- Analyze Christian scripture and traditions with reference to their original contexts.
- Interpret Christian scripture and traditions in ways that cultivate Christian community and discipleship.
- Demonstrate leadership in areas of pastoral ministry that generate discipleship and positive change in the church and the world.
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Seminary Degree Program Add-On Options
LTSS students may earn a formal concentration in one of three areas: Biblical Studies, Theology, and Faith Formation. Concentrations consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a concentration.
Biblical Studies: Choose 9 hours among BIB electives.
Theology: Choose 9 hours among THL electives. With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, a student may apply up to three hours in biblical studies (BIB) or church history (CHS).
Faith Formation: Choose 9 hours among CED electives. With the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs, a student may apply up to six hours in relevant education (EDU) or ministry (MIN) courses.
LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Leadership. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate.
Choose 9 hours among the following courses:
- LED 527 Strategic Leadership and Communication
- LED 537 Leading Change, Innovation, and Agility
- LED 547 Leading Diverse Teams
- LED 557 Personal Leadership Development and Ethics
- MIN 540 Leadership in God's Mission
LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Counseling. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate. Students enrolled in a counseling cognate will be assigned a secondary advisor from the Counseling program.
Choose 9 hours among the following courses:
- COU 505 Counseling Theories
- COU 520 Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- COU 530 Counseling Techniques
- CPE 500 Clinical Pastoral Education (6 hours in addition to any CPE degree requirement)
- HCS 505 Theoretical Foundations & History of Human Services
- Up to 3 hours of MIN electives, pending approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs
LTSS students may earn a formal cognate in Sustainability. Cognates consist of nine (9) credit hours in general electives. Courses required by a degree program do not count toward a cognate.
Choose 9 hours among the following courses:
News & Events
Lai Hnin, MACM '25, moved from Myanmar to South Carolina to attend seminary. While he hopes to return to his home country to serve God and his people, he's making a home at LTSS in the meantime.
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Seminary is a time of great change. In the LTSS community, Rachael Theisen, M.Div. '24, found the same support and belonging she plans to share as a pastor.
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