APPLY ONLINE or download application forms
MEET SOME OF OUR STUDENTS! Their stories may answer your most fundamental questions
>	Admissions Main Page
>	Who We Are
>	Options
>	Application Procedures
>	Catalog
>	Housing
>	Tuition and Fees
>	Financial Aid
>	International Students
>	Information Request Form
>	Plan a Seminary Visit
Programs for college students considering vocation

ADMISSIONS
First Professional Degrees and Certificates

Admissions@ltsp.edu
For information about advanced-level degrees, please click here.

Welcome!

Are you wondering what in the world God wants you to do? We can help. Even before we introduce you to The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), we want you to know that we are glad to engage you in a conversation about vocational discernment. We may also be able to point you to some helpful resources and programs.

LTSP is one of eight seminaries affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Located on 14 tree-lined acres in the northwest corner of Philadelphia, we are committed to providing theological education for all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds in order to prepare them for one among a variety of public ministries. [details]

The best way to get a sense of what this community is like is to visit. Come and stay a little while. We will gladly feed and house you at our expense. While you are here you will have the chance to sit in on classes, worship, share in community meals in the refectory, and talk with students, staff, and faculty.

One way to visit is to participate in one of our Philadelphia Visit programs. We are also delighted to customize a personal visit. [details]

You are invited to apply at any time. Ideally, an application will be completed 9-12 months prior to the time you plan to begin classes, but we offer admission on a rolling basis. However, if you are admitted and make the required deposit by April 15 (for the following fall semester), you will have the highest priority concerning campus housing and financial aid. [more info: housing, financial aid]

Who we are
Centered in the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ…
That's how our vision statement begins. And it goes on to articulate a whole host of other important commitments and characteristics that make this a place uniquely equipped to prepare women and men for service in the Church and in the world.

But we begin not with what is unique, but with what is central, the Gospel. The Gospel is what we share with Christians of every time and place, of every race and nation, indeed what we share with all creation. It is what stirred our beginnings, shapes our days, and draws us toward the future. We are centered in the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ.

firmly committed to scripture and the Lutheran Confessions
We are a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, rooted in and formed by the Protestant Reformation. Which is to say that by both tradition and commitment, we are rooted in the study of scripture and recognize it as the source and norm for our proclamation, life and faith.

We are also rooted in the Lutheran Confessions and recognize them as a true witness to the Gospel. You may know the names Jacobs, Tappert, and Wengert. They are all editors of the Book of Concord and all came from the LTSP. That may make you wonder if you have to be a Lutheran to come to school here. The answer is no. In fact, it is our strong commitment to the Lutheran Confessions that drive us to be ecumenical -- to learn from and serve with our sisters and brothers in Christ of many denominations.

engaging in theological education that is ecumenical, inclusive, and cross-cultural
We value diversity. We believe it is a gift of creation, a reflection of the image of God, and an important way for us to continue to learn about who God is, who we are, and what it means to be a servant of the Gospel. Come to the seminary chapel and you will see the diversity - Latino, Asian, African-American, Caucasian, and many more. Come to a classroom and you will learn the diversity. Nearly forty percent of our current students come from Christian traditions other than Lutheran. Our students range in age from 22 to 72. They come from a rich variety of educational, geographical and occupational backgrounds. Diversity is seldom easy, but we believe strongly that it is worth engaging.

rooted in and responsive to a distinctive multicultural context
Philadelphia, the fifth largest city in the nation, is both historic and progressive. It is a microcosm of the world, offering a rich cultural, religious and political environment in which to learn. The seminary offers courses and degree program concentrations in Urban Ministry, African-American Ministry, Latino Ministry, Asian Ministry and Multi-cultural Ministry. From contextual education and cross-cultural requirements to volunteer opportunities and cultural events, students engage in both formal and informal learning in this environment.

academically rigorous (and flexible)
Our faculty are outstanding scholars, leaders and teachers. Many of them have served in parish ministry. All of them are committed to excellence in theological education for the sake of the church's mission in the world. [more]

The seminary offers two first-level masters degrees, the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Religion. In both degrees there are a variety of concentrations available. The seminary also offers three advanced-level degrees: the Master of Sacred Theology, the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. [details]

We also offer a wide range of class schedules to fit the needs of a wide variety of students. In addition to the regular daytime schedule, we also offer night and weekend classes, block courses and short-term intensives.

worshiping community
The gathering of this community around Word and Sacrament stands at the core of our life together, continuing to shape who we are and how we live, learn and serve. Music and liturgy frame our engagement with the Word and reflect a variety of styles and traditions. Students, faculty and staff work together to plan and lead worship. [Sermons and Reflections]

that forms leaders for public ministry.
LTSP is a great place to be - to learn, to grow in faith, to be both nurtured and challenged. But the seminary exists for the sake of something much greater. Centered in the Gospel of the crucified and risen Christ, … LTSP… forms leaders for public ministry. Your time here will prepare you to be a Christian public leader. Whether your call is to care for the dying, advocate for those who have no voice, lead a congregation struggling to meet the needs of a rapidly changing community, teach, preach, or be about the work of the Gospel in any way, LTSP will prepare you for the ministry to which you are called.

Options

• Full-time (daytime with residency on campus or commuter)
• Part-time (daytime or evening)
• Resident-Commuter - Classes are arranged Monday - Thursday afternoon. Students return to their primary residence for Thursday - Sunday.
• Evening and Saturday classes (part-time)
• Urban Theological Institute (UTI) - evening and Saturday classes which focus on African American and urban ministry. [Details]

Application Procedures

Materials needed for a complete M.Div. or M.A.R. application are:

• application form
• application fee of $40
• three references
• biographical essay, shaped by questions provided on the application form
• transcript of undergraduate academic program(s)

The Admissions Committee meets throughout the year and offers admission as applications are received. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission. This will enable the Financial Aid Committee to provide a provisional financial aid package either at the time of admission or shortly thereafter. Campus housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Housing

Student housing is available on campus. A new housing complex provides 64 state of the art units that include studio apartments as well as one, two, or three bedroom apartments for families. All rooms are air-conditioned and wired for computers and telephones. In the lower level are exercise, laundry, lounge and storage areas.

In addition to the housing complex, five houses on campus each  have two- or three-bedroom apartments.

Financial Aid

Our primary financial aid grants are based on need. We also have a number of merit awards that are given each year. [Details]

DENOMINATIONAL

For persons preparing for servant-leadership in the church, most denominations have a candidacy process that requires contact with the denomination prior to the beginning of seminary. Since the process varies, all persons applying to a seminary should clarify the denomination's candidacy expectations prior to beginning theological studies.

Consistent with your denominational polity, contact you local synod (Lutheran), diocese (Episcopalian), conference (Methodist), etc.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA)

The ELCA has four rostered ministries:

• pastors
• associates in ministry
• deaconesses
• diaconal ministers

If you are planning to prepare for any of the above church careers, you are encouraged to begin the candidacy process with your synod one year prior to the time you plan to enter seminary. Your membership in a congregation determines which synod candidacy committee you should contact.

STEPS IN ELCA CANDIDACY PROCESS

• Entrance: upon request, the appropriate synod office will provide a candidate packet that includes an application for candidacy. Your home congregation will register your application with the synod. Upon the return of the completed application, the candidacy committee will arrange a series of discernment opportunities. This step is normally completed by June 1, but no later than December 1, of the year you plan to enter seminary.
• Endorsement: This step normally takes place during the second year of theological education.
• Approval: This step normally occurs during your final year of theological study. Once you are approved, you are eligible to enter the call process for service within the church.

AFFILIATION

All ELCA candidates are expected to have at least one year of residency in an ELCA seminary.

If you choose to attend a non-ELCA institution, you must be affiliated with an ELCA seminary. Your application for affiliation with an ELCA seminary can be made at the same time you apply to the non-ELCA institution. The ELCA seminary assists with the candidacy process, CPE, internship placements, and making arrangements for your "Lutheran Year."

Contact the admission office of an ELCA seminary for an application and information related to affiliation.

International Students

LTSP is authorized by federal law to enroll non-immigrant international students. Normally, international students are admitted to our graduate program (MAR, STM and DMIN). International applicants are encouraged to take advantage of theological education in their home countries or geographical regions before seeking additional education at LTSP. International students currently engaged in first-professional theological degree are, however, welcome to apply for a year of study at LTSP as special students. Applicants from overseas must meet the general requirements for admission to any of the LTSP programs. In addition, they must meet the following requirements.

1. Applicants whose first language is not English are expected to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless this requirement is waived by the admission committee.
2. Applicants must provide necessary financial certification of their ability to meet the cost of their round-trip travel, tuition, housing and personal expenses. LTSP is required by the federal law to issue the I-20 (for F-1 visa), necessary to enter the United States, only to those who provide this financial guarantee.
3. A letter of endorsement/recommendation from the applicants’ home church issued by the head of the church, a competent ecclesiastical authority, or religious institution.

Financial Aid/Scholarships for International Students

• LTSP encourages international students to seek financial sponsorship through their respective churches or institutions. LTSP normally does not provide scholarships to international students other than those officially sponsored by their churches through the Scholarship Program of the ELCA/Lutheran World Federation/World Council of Churches.

  NEXT