Master of Arts (M.A.)

Applications are considered by the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC) at set times throughout the year. All application materials must be received, in their entirety, by Nov. 15 each year in order for an applicant to be considered for admission.

In order for an application to be considered, the following are required:

• An applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• An M.A. applicant, (including deaconess students) must demonstrate competency by passing, at 70 percent or higher, the Entry Level Competency Examinations (ELCEs) before starting program classes. For more information please see the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section of the Academic Catalog. ELCE exams are administered through Admissions.
• The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Exam is no longer a standard admissions requirement of the M.A. Program but may be requested if an applicant shows need to further demonstrate his or her academic ability. This request can be made upon the discretion of the Graduate School or Advanced Studies Committee. If GRE scores are requested, they may be no more than five years old. Information and registration for the GRE can be found at ets.org/gre. The Concordia Seminary number for the GRE is R-6115-0.
• There are no general requirements for foreign language proficiency for the M.A. Program. However, students whose major is Exegetical Theology will be required to demonstrate proficiency in biblical Greek and biblical Hebrew in order to attend courses conducted in these biblical languages.

Note: Because residential deaconess students are graduate students they must apply to the Graduate School’s M.A. Program for admission.

Spanish Language Courses

Select courses offered through Concordia Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies have been approved for master’s-level credit. Upon application and admission to the M.A. Program, such courses can be taken and be applied toward the M.A. This option allows for the completion of the M.A. through courses that are all taught in Spanish.

Eligibility for Admission, SMP and M.A. Program

Because Specific Ministry Pastor Program (SMP) courses are taught at the M.A. level, and the SMP to General Pastor Certification (GPC) courses are Master of Divinity (M.Div.)/M.A. courses, by completing courses from the SMP to GPC Program you can, if you qualify, earn the M.A. degree with a Practical Theology Major from Concordia Seminary in addition to the theological certification. Among the requirements are:

• An earned B.A. degree
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in the SMP courses
• Recent GRE scores (no more than five years old)

The student will be expected to:

• Complete four courses toward the major/minor
• Pass the Practical Theology M.A. comprehensive examination, which is usually administered following completion of course work.

Dual Degree Programs

For information regarding dual degree programs with Fontbonne University (Master of Not-for-Profit Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education) or Saint Louis University (Master of Social Work), please contact the Registrar’s Office at 314-505-7761 or [email protected].

1. Complete the online application
2. Submit a $100 nonrefundable application fee. (The fee is waived for Concordia Seminary graduates and international applicants.)
3. Statement of background and intention: Please include a detailed response as to why you want to attend Concordia Seminary, why you are pursuing this program of study and how you plan to use your degree (limit your response to one-half page).
4. A brief essay written in English, on a theological topic of your choice: Please provide an essay that represents your theological understanding on a theological topic of your area of interest (depth of topic is more valuable than length).
5. Three academic references (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis graduates need only submit two academic references): Use the writeable PDF to request academic references.
6. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate credits you have earned: Please request an official transcript from each institution where you have earned undergraduate or graduate credits. A hard copy of the transcript may be sent to: Admissions, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105 or an electronic copy may be sent to [email protected].
7. If planning to write a thesis for an M.A., please submit a written statement describing in detail a topic you have an interest in pursuing.
8. A document explaining how you intend to finance your degree work, including living expenses: Please provide a detailed document, explaining how you will finance your degree, including mortgage payment, car payment, living expenses, previous student loans and consumer debt.
9. A recent photograph of yourself. (International applicants, please provide a photocopy of the identification and picture page of your passport.)
10. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Exam is no longer a standard admissions requirement of the M.A. Program but may be requested if an applicant shows need to further demonstrate his or her academic ability. This request can be made upon the discretion of the Graduate School or Advanced Studies Committee. If GRE scores are requested, they may be no more than five years old. Information and registration for the GRE can be found at ets.org/gre. The Concordia Seminary number for the GRE is R-6115-0.
11. For applicants whose native language is not English, please submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. The Concordia Seminary number for the TOEFL is R-6115-0. The Graduate School also accepts IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores in place of the TOEFL.
12. Completion of Entry Level Competency Exams (ELCEs) in Old Testament, New Testament and Christian Doctrine are required of all M.A. applicants as part of their admissions process.

Documents may be uploaded as attachments when submitting your application (limit of 10 total documents, 10 MB each), or documents may be sent to: [email protected].

Questions? Contact Admissions at 314-505-7222 or [email protected].

Students may select among several concentration options including Exegetical, Systematic, Historical and Practical Theology.

Before matriculation, all M.A. students must demonstrate proficiency in basic Christian doctrine (as represented especially in Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms), Old Testament content, and New Testament content. Proficiency may be demonstrated either by passing proficiency examinations administered by Concordia Seminary or by passing applicable courses (credit not applicable to the M.A. degree) at Concordia Seminary. Students are encouraged to take these exams as early as possible in the application process. If the exam is not passed on the first attempt, the student may either attempt the exam once more or register for the associated pre-seminary course during the summer term preceding matriculation.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Departmental Majors

Major	18 hours
Minor	12 hours
Free Electives	9 hours
Comprehensive exam in major or thesis	0 hours
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR MASTER OF ARTS	39 HOURS

Applications are considered by the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC) at set times throughout the year. All application materials must be received, in their entirety, by Nov. 15 each year in order for an applicant to be considered for admission.

Eligibility

Admission to Deaconess Studies (M.A. with Major in Spiritual Care plus ministerial formation component leading to certification) ordinarily is contingent on the student’s membership in a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or of a church body in fellowship with the Synod. An applicant is to have been involved actively as a communicant member in a Lutheran congregation for not less than two years prior to enrollment.

College Preparation

Applicants to Deaconess Studies ordinarily must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). The degree should represent a broad liberal arts background and should include courses in English composition, writing and speech. It also should include courses in the humanities, psychology, social sciences, natural sciences and religion. Applicants also may find it helpful to take at least one foreign language.

For more information, review the academic catalog and entrance level competency exam requirements.

1. Complete the online application
2. Submit a $100 nonrefundable application fee. (The fee is waived for Concordia Seminary graduates and international applicants.)
3. Statement of background and intention: Please include a detailed response as to why you want to attend Concordia Seminary, why you are pursuing this program of study and how you plan to use your degree (limit your response to one-half page).
4. A brief essay written in English, on a theological topic of your choice: Please provide an essay that represents your theological understanding on a theological topic of your area of interest (depth of topic is more valuable than length).
5. Three academic references (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis graduates need only submit two academic references): Use the writeable PDF to request academic references.
6. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate credits you have earned: Please request an official transcript from each institution where you have earned undergraduate or graduate credits. A hard copy of the transcript may be sent to: Admissions, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105 or an electronic copy may be sent to [email protected].
7. If planning to write a thesis for an M.A., please submit a written statement describing in detail a topic you have an interest in pursuing.
8. A document explaining how you intend to finance your degree work, including living expenses: Please provide a detailed document, explaining how you will finance your degree, including mortgage payment, car payment, living expenses, previous student loans and consumer debt.
9. A recent photograph of yourself. (International applicants, please provide a photocopy of the identification and picture page of your passport.)
10. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Exam is no longer a standard admissions requirement of the M.A. Program but may be requested if an applicant shows need to further demonstrate his or her academic ability. This request can be made upon the discretion of the Graduate School or Advanced Studies Committee. If GRE scores are requested, they may be no more than five years old. Information and registration for the GRE can be found at ets.org/gre. The Concordia Seminary number for the GRE is R-6115-0.
11. For applicants whose native language is not English, please submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. The Concordia Seminary number for the TOEFL is R-6115-0. The Graduate School also accepts IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores in place of the TOEFL.

Documents may be uploaded as attachments when submitting your application (limit of 10 total documents, 10MB each.), or documents may be sent to: [email protected].

There is a size limit of 10MB for each document uploaded with this application and a limit of 10 total documents that may be attached.

Questions? Contact Admissions at 314-505-7222 or [email protected].

More details about this major are coming soon. Please check back for more information.

Master of Arts in Spiritual Care

EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY	9 HOURS
EXE507 Interpreting and Communicating the Word	3 hours
EXE721 Reading and Using the New Testament*	3 hours
EXE731 Psalms for Spiritual Care	1.5 hours
EXE7XX English-based Old Testatment course**	1.5 hours

*EXE522(Synoptic Gospels) and EXE525 (PaulineEpistles) can be taken in place of EXE721. Proficiency in biblical Greek required.
**EXE512 (Torah) or EXE515 (Prophets) can be taken in place of EXE7XX. Proficiency in biblical Hebrew required.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY	9 HOURS
PRA711 Spiritual Care Foundations	3 hours
PRA712 Spiritual Care of Women	3 hours
PRA714 Spiritual Care & the Word	3 hours

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY	12 HOURS
SYS507 Introduction to Systematic Theology	3 hours
SYS511 Creeds and Confessions	3 hours
SYS512 Systematics I or SYS513 Church & World	3 hours
SYS528 Theology of Ethics and Human Care	3 hours

HISTORICAL THEOLOGY	3 HOURS
HIS507 Introduction to Historical Theology	3 hours

FREE ELECTIVES	9 HOURS
Comprehensive Exam or Thesis

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS M.A. (SPIRITUAL CARE):	42 HOURS + EXAM OR THESIS

More details about this major are coming soon. Please check back for more information.

Applications are considered by the Advanced Studies Committee (ASC) at set times throughout the year. All application materials must be received, in their entirety, by Nov. 15 each year in order for an applicant to be considered for admission.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Standards

In order for an application to be considered, the following are required:

• An applicant must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• An M.A. applicant, (including deaconess students) must demonstrate competency by passing, at 80 percent or higher, the Entry Level Competency Examinations (ELCEs) before starting program classes. For more information please see the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section of the Academic Catalog. ELCE exams are administered through Ministerial Recruitment and Admissions.
• The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Exam is no longer a standard admissions requirement of the M.A. Program but may be requested if an applicant shows need to further demonstrate his or her academic ability. This request can be made upon the discretion of the Graduate School or Advanced Studies Committee. If GRE scores are requested, they may be no more than five years old. Information and registration for the GRE can be found at ets.org/gre. The Concordia Seminary number for the GRE is R-6115-0.
• There are no general requirements for foreign language proficiency for the M.A. Program. However, students whose major is Exegetical Theology will be required to demonstrate proficiency in biblical Greek and biblical Hebrew in order to attend courses conducted in these biblical languages.

Note: Because residential deaconess students are graduate students they must apply to the Graduate School’s M.A. Program for admission.

Spanish Language Courses

Select courses offered through Concordia Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies have been approved for master’s-level credit. Upon application and admission to the M.A. Program, such courses can be taken and be applied toward the M.A. This option allows for the completion of the M.A. through courses that are all taught in Spanish.

Eligibility for Admission, SMP and M.A. Program

Because the SMP courses are taught at the M.A. level, and the SMP to GPC courses are M.Div./M.A. courses, by completing courses from the SMP to GPC Program you can, if you qualify, earn the M.A. degree with a Practical Theology Major from Concordia Seminary in addition to the theological certification. Among the requirements are:

• An earned B.A. degree
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in the SMP courses
• Recent GRE scores (no more than 5 years old)

The student will be expected to:

• Complete four courses toward the major/minor
• Pass the Practical Theology M.A. comprehensive examination, which is usually administered following completion of course work.

Dual Degree Programs

For information regarding dual degree programs with Fontbonne University (Master of Not-for-Profit Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education) or Saint Louis University (Master of Social Work), please contact the Registrar’s Office at 314-505-7761 or [email protected].

1. Complete the online application
2. Submit a $100 nonrefundable application fee. (The fee is waived for Concordia Seminary graduates and international applicants.)
3. Statement of background and intention: Please include a detailed response as to why you want to attend Concordia Seminary, why you are pursuing this program of study and how you plan to use your degree (limit your response to one-half page).
4. A brief essay written in English, on a theological topic of your choice: Please provide an essay that represents your theological understanding on a theological topic of your area of interest (depth of topic is more valuable than length).
5. Three academic references (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis graduates need only submit two academic references): Use the writeable PDF to request academic references.
6. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate credits you have earned: Please request an official transcript from each institution where you have earned undergraduate or graduate credits. A hard copy of the transcript may be sent to: Admissions, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105 or an electronic copy may be sent to [email protected].
7. If planning to write a thesis for an M.A., please submit a written statement describing in detail a topic you have an interest in pursuing.
8. A document explaining how you intend to finance your degree work, including living expenses: Please provide a detailed document, explaining how you will finance your degree, including mortgage payment, car payment, living expenses, previous student loans and consumer debt.
9. A recent photograph of yourself. (International applicants, please provide a photocopy of the identification and picture page of your passport.)
10. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Exam is no longer a standard admissions requirement of the M.A. Program but may be requested if an applicant shows need to further demonstrate his or her academic ability. This request can be made upon the discretion of the Graduate School or Advanced Studies Committee. If GRE scores are requested, they may be no more than five years old. Information and registration for the GRE can be found at ets.org/gre. The Concordia Seminary number for the GRE is R-6115-0.
11. For applicants whose native language is not English, please submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. The Concordia Seminary number for the TOEFL is R-6115-0. The Graduate School also accepts IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores in place of the TOEFL.

Documents may be uploaded as attachments when submitting your application (limit of 10 total documents, 10MB each.), or documents may be sent to: [email protected].

There is a size limit of 10MB for each document uploaded with this application and a limit of 10 total documents that may be attached.

Questions? Contact Admissions at 314-505-7222 or [email protected].

Students may select among several concentration options including Exegetical, Systematic, Historical and Practical Theology.

Before matriculation, all M.A. students must demonstrate proficiency in basic Christian doctrine (as represented especially in Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms), Old Testament content, and New Testament content. Proficiency may be demonstrated either by passing proficiency examinations administered by Concordia Seminary or by passing applicable courses (credit not applicable to the M.A. degree) at Concordia Seminary. Students are encouraged to take these exams as early as possible in the application process. If the exam is not passed on the first attempt, the student may either attempt the exam once more or register for the associated pre-seminary course during the summer term preceding matriculation.

Master of Arts (M.A.) Departmental Majors

Major	18 hours
Minor	12 hours
Free Electives	9 hours
Comprehensive exam in major or thesis	0 hours
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR MASTER OF ARTS	39 HOURS