Denotes a first theological degree student who has been formally admitted to LTSP but has not been admitted to a degree program. Courses and length of study varies widely, but most will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Theological Study upon completion. Some such students may actually take courses as if in a degree track, while others may si [..]

a student enrolled in the DMin, STM, or PhD program or studying at the post-MDiv level.

Denotes a first theological degree-level student whose MDiv studies have been undertaken at a non-ELCA seminary. Such students, if seeking ordination in the ELCA, are required to “affiliate” with an ELCA seminary, which assists the student’s ordination process, oversees the student’s internship, and, ordinarily, hosts the student for “Lutheran Year [..]

The term used for the process by which ELCA students seek to be rostered for ministry. The student engages in such a process only with the approval and guidance of the Candidacy Committee of his/her home synod.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of a number of Lutheran denominations. LTSP is one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.

Each matriculated student is assigned a faculty advisor. Except for MAR students who declare or change specializations (see below), advisor assignments for first theological degree and equivalent students will generally remain the same throughout the student’s matriculation in the program, other than when an advisor is on sabbatical or leave. Stude [..]

A degree signifying the student’s preparation for a particular profession. As the basic degree for ordination in many denominations, the MDiv is considered a first professional degree. In some cases, especially for students seeking to be rostered as deaconesses, Associates in Ministry, or diaconal ministers, the MAR and MAPL degrees can be consider [..]

a student enrolled at the MDiv, MAR, or MAPL level (includes Special/Certificate students and non-STM Lutheran Year students). As a general category, this includes non-degree, continuing education, and auditing students in classes offered toward these first theological degrees, as well as non-STM Affiliated and Lutheran Year students and most fourt [..]

The umbrella term for advanced-level programming, including the DMin, STM, and PhD degrees. While virtually all LTSP students are indeed graduate students, studying at the master’s level or higher, only those who have previously earned a postbaccalaureate theological degree (e.g., MAR, MTS, MDiv) are considered Grad Students at LTSP.

A student completing a full-time practicum in a parish or church-related agency for purposes of meeting ordination requirements. At LTSP such students are normally in candidacy processes of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The “normal” internship is nine to twelve months in duration and is completed in the student’s third year of [..]