Course of Study

The 72-credit curriculum ensures that students can complete the program within the window of time provided by the chaplain candidacy process. Students have the option of completing a further 18 credits of study and earning the Master of Divinity degree. Students must be endorsed by a church endorsing agency and approved as Chaplain Candidates by the appropriate military board before being accepted into this program.

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

Curriculum

Biblical Theology (15 Credits):

• BT 511: Pentateuch and The Histories
• BT 530: Wisdom and The Prophets
• BT 561: The Gospels
• BT 565: Epistles and the Formation of the New Testament
• BT 566: Paul and His Legacy

Historical and Systematic Theology (18 Credits):

• HST 501: History of Christian Thought I
• HST 502: History of Christian Thought II
• HST 506: History of Religion in North America
• HST 555: Systematic Theology
• HST 613: History of Christian Thought III
• HST 655: The Lutheran Confessions

Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics (15 Credits):

• PTE 501: Faith, Knowledge, and Reason
• PTE 510: Ethics in Lutheran Perspective
• PTE 513: Military Ethics
• PTE 520: Theology and World Religions
• PTE 521: Apologetics under the Cross

Pastoral Theology (24 Credits):

• PT 501: Pastoral Care I
• PT 502: Pastoral Counseling
• PT 503: Pastoral Theology
• PT 505: Christian Education in the Parish
• PT 506: Ministering with Families
• PT 511: Theology and the Practice of Worship
• PT 521: Homiletics I
• PT 522: Homiletics II
• PT 523: Homiletics III
• PT: Two One Credit Electives
• PT 592: Military Chaplaincy Internship

Total: 72 Credits

Completing the Master of Divinity

Graduates of the M.M.M.C. program may earn a Master of Divinity degree by completing the following program:

Biblical Theology (3 Credits):

• BT 600-699: Old Testament or New Testament Elective

Historical and Systematic Theology (9 Credits):

• HST 601: Creation and the Triune God
• HST 602: Christology
• HST 603: Church, Spirit, and Two Kingdoms

Two courses chosen from the following (6 Credits): BT, PTE, HST or PT Electives

Additional Credits = 18
M.M.M.C. Credits = 72
Total Credits = 90

M.M.M.C. students may transfer at any time to either track of the Master of Divinity program.

After completing this program, students will be able to:

• Articulate and evaluate issues of biblical interpretation, doctrine and church history in order to distinguish God’s law and gospel in proclamation, teaching and pastoral care.
• Understand issues in philosophy and ethics within a pluralistic context from a theological perspective grounded in the centrality of Jesus Christ.
• Articulate a theology of and demonstrate ability in the area of family ministry.
• Gain chaplaincy experience in both military as well as civilian settings as outlined in the contextual education handbook and evaluate their own strengths and weakness, determining areas for future growth.
• Analyze and synthesize theological formulations with a spirit of openness and mutual respect.

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Completion of the online application for the Master of Ministry in Military Chaplaincy degree.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals such as pastor, employer, professor, or other professional relationship.
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Applicants are required to have their official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions from all the institutions attended. Transcripts must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00-point scale or equivalent (applicants with a GPA of less than 2.50 may be admitted on Academic Probation.)
• 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 26 on the speaking section and 24 on the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 8 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.
• Completion of the Theology and Ministry Questionnaire.
• Pass the Bible Proficiency Exam with a score of at least 60%.
• Copy of a letter of endorsement for military chaplaincy from an authorized church endorsing agent.
• Proof that the student has been approved as a Chaplain Candidate by one of the branches of the armed forces.
• Non-Refundable Application Fee
• Copy of official photo ID.
• An admissions interview with the Director of M.M.M.C. Program.

Practicum: Students preparing to serve in congregation ministry are required to participate in a practicum during the first 30 credits of their program. This practicum will consist of working with a pastor in a local congregation for 5-10 hours a week. Practicum students will meet with the practicum coordinator twice a month (or at least once a month) throughout each semester until they have earned 30 credits or more.

Residency: M.M.M.C. graduates who have accessioned as Chaplains can participate in ILT’s Residency Program for Chaplains while doing the coursework to complete the Master of Divinity degree. The residency consists of two years of congregational ministry with mentoring. The student chooses his or her mentor, subject to the approval of the ILT Director of Chaplaincy Education. The mentoring will deal with issues of self-care, time management, discernment (deciding between active duty or reserve, future military and civilian education, navigating between the ecclesial and military contexts, etc.), and other issues.

Internship: Students in the Master of Ministry in Military Chaplaincy program complete a specially designed chaplaincy internship, which includes both civilian and military ministry experience.

Military Internship

• • Serve as chaplain assistants during week-end drill, annual training, and at other opportunities when serving with their unit.
  • Participate in Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC) (90 days)
  • Participate in Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training (CAST), Endorsers’ Annual Conference, etc.

Civilian Internship

• • Congregational ministry—preaching, pastoral care, parish education.
  • CPE—one unit (12 weeks)

The chaplain under which the student works will supervise the military internship. The supervisor of the civilian internship will be the pastor of the congregation. ILT will offer help in making a connection with appropriate CPE programs.