For Students Receiving the M.Div. at a Non-ELCA Seminary

Affiliated students earning the M.Div. from a non-ELCA seminary must come to Trinity to complete the “Lutheran Year” requirement of the ELCA for ordination.

The following courses are required:

Before internship:

• Introduction to Worship (3 credit hours)
• Lutheran Confessions (2 credit hours)

These two courses must be completed before Trinity will place a candidate in an internship site. Options for completing these courses should be discussed with the associate dean as early as possible in the student’s seminary program.

Following internship:

• Pastor as Theologian (2 credit hours)
• Pastor as Leader (3 credit hours)
• Being Lutheran in America (2 credit hours)
• Senior Preaching Option (2 credit hours)
• New Testament Option (3 credit hours)
• Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures Option (3 credit hours)
• Electives – 2 courses required (2-3 credit hours each)

Students may take their Lutheran Year courses by:

1. Enrolling as a non-degree student at Trinity, or
2. Applying to Trinity’s Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) degree program. Many, but not all, of the Lutheran Year required courses can be credited to the S.T.M. degree.

Note on contextual requirements: Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) must be completed prior to internship, but it can be arranged through another theological school. Internship must be completed under Trinity’s supervision.