current Catalog - Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

ADMISSION: M.DIV., M.A.T.S., AND M.A.M.English Language SkillsThe seminary requires that all entering students take a written assessment in Englishlanguage skills prior to their first fall orientation and to follow through on anyrecommendations made through the assessment.Applicants whose native language is not English (who have not graduated froman undergraduate or graduate program in which English was a primary language ofinstruction) must attend the Summer Language Institute of the Language Resourceand Writing Center in July – August or take the Test of English as a ForeignLanguage (TOEFL) or provide other evidence of competence in English.Candidacy for Ministry in the ELCAELCA applicants planning for rostered ministry positions should initiate the stepsof the candidacy process as soon as possible, in most cases 12 months or morebefore beginning studies. See detailed candidacy information beginning on page 44.M.Div. Students from Other DenominationsLSTC welcomes students from other denominations. Students will be assisted todo the Ministry in Context field work assignment in their own denomination.The 12-month internship is waived or adjusted to meet a student’s particulardenominational requirements.Guidelines for Transfer Credit for Master’s-Level StudentsIt is the responsibility of the Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at LSTCto review requests and render a decision about transfer credits. Courses completedat another ATS-accredited institution may transfer and be credited toward oneof LSTC’s first theological degree programs up to half of the credits of the LSTCdegree, according to the following additional criteria:• Each course for which a student is seeking transfer credit is demonstrably relatedin subject matter to the work required for the LSTC degree. Students will submitsyllabi for courses they are seeking to transfer in order to help determine theirtransferability, and to assess (a) whether a course fulfills a core course requirementor (b) whether it may be transferred as an elective. The dean will consult with theappropriate faculty member when such is needed to assess (a).• Students have demonstrated success in the courses they wish to transfer. A gradeof B or above is accepted as an adequate record of success.• Before transfer credit is awarded for any course, an official transcript from theschool where the course was taken must be received by the dean and vice presidentfor academic affairs of LSTC.Application ProcessThe admissions office will provide application forms upon request. They are alsoavailable at www.lstc.edu/prospective-students/apply/forms.php. Application formsrequire the submission of college and any other graduate school transcripts, letters ofrecommendation, and a brief autobiography. The nonrefundable application fee is $50.41