Contents of this page:

  1. Programme Overview
  2. Admission Requirements & Prerequisites
  3. Curriculum
  4. University of London Bachelor of Divinity

Programme Overview

Concordia may accept a limited number of students who do not have a bachelor’s degree into its Residential Diploma Programme, successful completion of which will lead to certification for ordination in Lutheran Church–Canada (or for commendation as a candidate for ordination in a sister church). The programme normally requires four years of full-time study, including a one-year internship (vicarage). A student lacking the prerequisites (see below) will require five years to complete the programme.

Admission Requirements & Prerequisites

Applicants for this programme must be at least 30 years of age by 31 December of their year of enrolment, have been members of a Lutheran congregation for a period of at least seven years, and have accumulated significant experience assisting their home pastor (as elder/deacon, lector, Bible class teacher, evangelism and/or shut-in caller, etc.).

Younger men who are in possession of a high school diploma and have been members of a Lutheran congregation for a period of at least five years may apply to the Diploma programme if they simultaneously enrol in the University of London Bachelor of Divinity programme or complete a programme of pre-seminary studies as prescribed by the faculty.

Successful applicants will be admitted to a one-year probationary period of pre-seminary study that will include courses in Greek, Hebrew, English Bible, basic Christian doctrine, and church history. Students who are 40 years of age by 31 December of the year of enrolment may elect to forego to the Hebrew requirement.

Curriculum

The following courses are required for successful completion of the Pastoral Diploma:

Exegetical Theology (4.0 credits)

  • EXTH 7P00 Principles and Practice of Biblical Interpretation (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7X05 Pericope Seminar, for three semesters (0.17 credits each)
  • EXTH 7P10 Old Testament Studies I (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7P30 New Testament Studies I (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7P40 Old Testament Studies II (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7P50 Old Testament Studies III (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7P60 New Testament Studies II (0.5 credits)
  • EXTH 7P70 New Testament Studies III (0.5 credits)

Systematic Theology (4.5 credits)

  • SYTH 7P05 Introduction to Theology (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P00 Lutheran Confessions I (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P10 Lutheran Confessions II (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P20 Religious Bodies in Canada (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P35 Creation to Christ (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P50 Christian Faith and Life (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P60 Church and Sacraments (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7P80 Theological Ethics (0.5 credits)
  • SYTH 7Pxx Church and World Pool Option (0.5 credits)

Historical Theology (2 credits)

  • HITH 7P00 Historical Theology I: The Patristic Age (0.5 credits)
  • HITH 7P10 Historical Theology II: Medieval and Reformation Periods (0.5 credits)
  • HITH 7P20 Historical Theology III: The Emergence of Modernity (0.5 credits)
  • HITH 7P30 Historical Theology IV: Lutheranism in North America (0.5 credits)

Practical Theology (5.0 credits)

  • PRTH 7P00 Worship in the Parish I (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P05 Preaching in the Parish (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P10 Catechetics (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P20 Choir, for two semesters (0.0 credits)
  • PRTH 7P35 Evangelism in the Parish (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P40 Advanced Preaching (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P60 Worship in the Parish II (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P70 Pastoral Ministry & Practice I (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P71 Pastoral Ministry & Practice II (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P80 Vicarage I (0.5 credits)
  • PRTH 7P81 Vicarage II (0.5 credits)

Electives (1.5 credits)

  • Free electives (1.0 credits)
  • Research Paper (0.5 credits) 

University of London Bachelor of Divinity

Students in the Diploma programme have the option of applying to the University of London’s external Bachelor of Divinity (BD) programme. The seminary faculty will assist students in procuring this degree by (1) selecting modules and exams in such a way that seminary courses assist in their successful completion; and (2) offering weekly tutorials to prepare students for the examinations. The additional work required by the BD means that a student’s course of studies at CLTS will be extended to six years, but will result in a degree together with pastoral certification. Lutheran Church–Canada (and some sister churches) recognizes the BD as equivalent to an MDiv as a qualification for ordained ministry.

Further information on the diploma programme can be found in the Academic Calendar.