Bachelor of Arts in Theology

Course of Study

*All work must be in the student’s field of study.

General Studies (30 Credits)

Communications (6 Credits):

• COM 101: Academic Research & Writing
• COM 102: Introduction to Communications

Humanities/Fine Arts (12 Credits):

At Least Two (2) Courses from:

• CLS 111-2: Latin I, II
• CLS 121-2: Classical Greek I, II
• BT 201-3: Biblical Greek I, II, III
• BT 211-2: Biblical Hebrew I, II
• PHL 101-2: Logic I, II

At Least Two (2) Courses from:

• LIT 201-2: World Literature I, II
• HIS 211-2: History of Western Civilization I, II
• PHL 210-1: Intro to Western Philosophy I, II
• PHL 221: Intro to Eastern Philosophy
• REL 231: Intro to World Religions

Natural Science/Mathematics (6 Credits):

• MTH 131: Foundations of Mathematics

One (1) Elective from:

• MTH 231: College Geometry
• SCI 221: Intro to Natural Science
• SCI 222: Intro to Physics

Social/Behavioral Sciences (6 Credits):

Two (2) Courses in Social/Behavioral Sciences:

• PSY 261: Intro to Psychology
• SOC 251: Cultural Anthropology
• SOC 271: Intro to Sociology
• SOC 281: Intro to Political Science/Civics

Theological Studies Major (42 Credits)

• COM 301: Research Methods for Theology 
• PHL 403: Philosophy of Religion 
• BT 111-2: Latin I, II 
• PHL 101-2: Logic I, II 
• HST 201: Systematic Theology I 
• HST 301: History of the Early Christian Church 
• HST 302: History of the Medieval and Reformation Christian Church 
• HST 303: History of the Post-Reformation Christian Church 
• HST 321: Luther’s Catechisms and the Theology of the Cross  
• HST 331: Lutheran Reformers and the Book of Concord 
• HST 401: Religious Movements in North America 
• HST 411: Systematic Theology II 

Theological Studies Minor (18 Credits)

Philosophical Theology

• PTE 241: Christian Apologetics 
• PTE 301: Christian Ethics 
• PTE 302: Christian Sexual Ethics 
• PTE 401: Introduction to Philosophical Theology 
• PTE 402: Science and Theology 
• PTE 405: Philosophy and Theology 

Lutheran Theology

• HST 341: Martin Luther and the Via Moderna 
• HST 342: Theology of Martin Luther 
• HST 443: Luther and the Theology of the Cross 
• HST 344: Theology of Philip Melanchthon 
• HST 402: Orthodoxy, Pietism, and Confessionalism 
• HST 403: Lutheranism in North America 

Skills Courses (18 Credits):

• COM 301: Research Methods for Theology 
  
• COM 201: Theological Writing 
  
• PT 451: Youth and Family Ministry 
  
• EDU 101: Introduction to Education 
  
• EDU 452: Christian Education for the Parish 
  
• PT 453: Evangelism for Home, Work, and Community 

Electives (12 Credits)

Senior Project (Optional):

A senior project is a 30-page (7,500-word) academic paper.  

Senior Project Research course (BT, PTE, or HST 498)  

This is a readings course on the student’s proposed senior project topic. The student and his or her primary faculty advisor agree on a reading program before the start of the semester. The student reads independently, meeting with his or her advisor regularly for consultation. 

Senior Project Proposal 

The student, in consultation with a primary faculty advisor, develops a senior project proposal (1,000 words). At least 60 days prior to the first day of classes in the semester when the student will enroll in BT, PTE, HST 499 (described below), the student submits the proposal to a senior project committee. The committee consists of 2 faculty members, one of whom is the primary advisor and another of whom should be a member of ILT’s undergraduate permanent faculty.  

Senior Project Course (BT, PTE, or HST 499) 

If the senior project committee approves the proposal, the student enrolls in 499 as an independent study. This course can be continued through the following semester if needed. The student completes the research and writing of the senior project during this time, in consultation with the primary faculty advisor. The senior project should use the Chicago Style (guidelines are available from the Librarian.) The senior project must include the following: 

• Title page 
• Copyright page 
• Signatory page 
• Librarian Certification page  
• Table of Contents
• Text of senior project 
• Bibliography 

Senior Project Presentation 

When the senior project is completed and approved by the primary faculty advisor, the student schedules a formal presentation of the academic paper. The presentation occurs before the last day of classes within the semester. The student should supply the members of the committee with a copy of the senior project sufficiently in advance to allow them to read and comment on it. The committee determines the final grade for the senior project, which is the grade for BT, HST, or PTE 499. The student provides a bound copy of the completed senior project to the ILT Library. (Consult the Librarian for guidelines on printing and binding the senior project.) 

Total: 120 Credits

After completing this program, students will be able to:

• • Develop extensive knowledge of the religions of the world (and how to speak God’s Word in law and gospel in each religious context). 
  • Evaluate the credibility and authority of truth claims. 
  • Demonstrate an understanding of information literacy. 
  • Develop the ability and passion to engage in a lifetime of learning. 

• Completion of online application form.
• Proof of completion of secondary education and transcripts from any post-secondary schools.
• A letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher or mentor.
• Entrance writing evaluation.
• Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that is not more than two years old. Normally, minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 21 on the speaking section and 21 on the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 6.5 on the speaking section and 6.5 on the writing section. Please request that your score be sent to ILT. ILT’s DI Code for the TOEFL is 5745. More information concerning TOEFL can be accessed at the Education Testing Services website. Information regarding the IELTS can be found at their IELTS website.
• Non-Refundable Application Fee
• Copy of an official photo identification.
• Admissions interview with Director of Enrollment Services.

Senior Project (Optional): A senior project is a 30-page (7,500 word) academic paper.

Senior Project Research course (BT, PTE, or HST 498): This is a readings course on the student’s proposed senior project topic. The student and his or her primary faculty advisor agree on a reading program before the start of the semester. The student reads independently, meeting with his or her advisor regularly for consultation.

Senior Project Proposal: The student, in consultation with a primary faculty advisor, develops a senior project proposal (1,000 words). At least 60 days prior to the first day of classes in the semester when the student will enroll in BT, PTE, HST 499 (described below), the student submits the proposal to a senior project committee. The committee consists of 2 faculty members, one of whom is the primary advisor and another of whom should be a member of ILT’s undergraduate permanent faculty.

Senior Project course (BT, PTE, or HST 499): If the senior project committee approves the proposal, the student enrolls in EPR 499 as an independent study. This course can be continued through the following semester if needed. The student completes the research and writing of the senior project during this time, in consultation with the primary faculty advisor. The senior project should use the Chicago Style (guidelines are available from the Librarian.)

The senior project must include the following:

• Title page
• Copyright page
• Signatory page
• Librarian Certification page
• Table of Contents
• Text of senior project
• Bibliography

Senior Project Presentation: When the senior project is completed and approved by the primary faculty advisor, the student schedules a formal presentation of the academic paper. The presentation occurs before the last day of classes within the semester. The student should supply the members of the committee with a copy of the senior project sufficiently in advance to allow them to read and comment on it. The committee determines the final grade for the senior project, which is the grade for BT, HST, or PTE 499. The student provides a bound copy of the completed senior project to the ILT Library. (Consult the Librarian for guidelines on printing and binding the senior project.)