Master of Ministry
Master of Ministry | M.M.
The Master of Ministry program prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can also be an alternative track to ordained ministry. This 44-credit program provides a condensed classical theological education, with opportunities for specialization in particular areas of ministry. The program includes an internship tailored to the student’s goals, which can be done while also taking classes. Graduates of the program have the option of completing a further 46 credits to earn a Master of Divinity degree.
Program Overview
Zero Student Debt
Our goal is for every student to graduate with no debt. Our donor-sponsored financial assistance makes that possible.
More Information
Total: $0.00
Tuition
$425 per Credit Hour
*Tuition cost is subject to change. Additional costs may apply.
Total: $18,700
Requirements
Requires 1.5 years of full-time coursework and 200 hours of contextual education.
More Information Below
Total: 44 Credits
Expected Timeline
Full-time students can finish the program in one and a half years. Part-time students can finish the program in up to 4 years.
Total: 1.5-4 Years
*Additional costs may apply. (Application fee, books, costs associated with researching and producing the independent projects or the final project or thesis, etc.) are also the responsibility of the participant.
| Course Requirements | Credit Hours |
| A Total of 44 Credits from the Following Subjects: | |
| Biblical Theology | 12 Credits |
| Historical and Systematic Theology | 12 Credits |
| Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics | 9 Credits |
| Pastoral Theology | 11 Credits |
| Total | 44 Credits |
*All work must be in the student’s field of study.
Requirements
Biblical Theology (12 Credits):
Four (4) courses from the following:
- BT 504: Lutheran Biblical Interpretation
- BT 561: The Gospels
- BT 566: Paul and His Legacy
- BT 511: Pentateuch and The Histories
- BT 530: Wisdom and The Prophets
Historical and Systematic Theology (12 Credits):
- HST 501: History of Christian Thought I
- HST 502: History of Christian Thought II
- HST 555: Systematic Theology
- HST 655: The Lutheran Confessions
Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics (9 Credits):
- PTE 501: Faith, Knowledge, and Reason
- PTE 510: Ethics in Lutheran Perspective
- PTE 521: Apologetics under the Cross
Pastoral Theology (11 Credits):
- PT 501: Pastoral Care I
- PT 502: Pastoral Care II (requires PT 501)
- PT 505: The Teaching Shepherd
- PT 511: Theology and the Practice of Worship
- PT 521: Homiletics I
- One PT (one credit) Elective
Total: 44 Credits
Completion of the Master of Divinity Degree
The following is a program for graduates of the Master of Ministry degree to complete a Master of Divinity degree.
Biblical Theology (9 Credits):
- BT 500: Introduction to New Testament Greek
- BT 565: Epistles and the Formation of the New Testament (requires BT 500)
- BT 600-699: Old or New Testament elective
One (1) course from:
- BT 511: Pentateuch and The Histories
- BT 530: Wisdom and The Prophets
Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics (9 Credits):
-
PTE 602: Critical Reasoning for the Theologian (requires PTE 502)
Two (2) courses from:
- PTE 520: Theology and World Religions
- PTE 603: Philosophy of Religion (requires PTE 602)
- PTE 612: Christian Sexual Ethics
- PTE 681: Theology and Science
Historical and Systematic Theology (18 Credits):
- HST 613: History of Christian Thought III
- HST 614: Twentieth-Century Theology
- HST 643: The Theology of Martin Luther
- HST 601: Creation and the Triune God
- HST 602: Christology (requires HST 601)
- HST 603: Church, Spirit, and the Two Kingdoms (requires HST 602)
Pastoral Theology (10 Credits):
- PT 503: Pastoral Care III (requires PT 502)
- PT 504: Parish Administration
- PT 522: Homiletics II (requires PT 521)
- PT 523: Homiletics III (requires PT 522)
- PT 560:-699: PT elective
Total: 46 Credits
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 from a theological perspective grounded in the centrality of Jesus Christ.
- Gain experience related to their chosen ministry and evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, determining areas for future growth.
- Analyze and synthesize theological formulations with a spirit of openness and mutual respect.
Denominational Endorsement and Certification for Ordination: Endorsing students who are preparing for ministry and certifying them as qualified for ordination or any other status within the church are the responsibility of the student’s church body. ILT cooperates with church bodies in this process.
Application requirements include:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or in special cases, an equivalent preparatory experience.
- Completion of the online application for the Master of Ministry 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 of 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%.
- Application fee: $55 (non-refundable.)
- Copy of official photo ID.
- An admissions interview with the Dean of Academic Affairs.
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.
Internship: Students must be in a congregation or other ministry setting with opportunities to do practicums as assigned in Pastoral Theology classes. Students, congregations, mentor pastors and ILT operate under ILT’s Non-internship Learning-Service Agreement.
Students must also complete an internship. Students affiliate with a congregation as an intern, with an Internship Supervisor and Internship Committee, as described in the Contextual Education Handbook. Internship for the Master of Ministry Program consists of four modules, chosen by the student to fit his or her ministry goals.
Each module requires about 50 hours of work, including preparation, carrying out the work, reflection and evaluation. The internship modules are:
- Homiletics
- Teaching
- Worship
- Pastoral Care
- Music Ministry
- Outreach
- Diaconal Service