ACADEMIC CATALOG - Luther Seminary

Master of Divinity — Distributed Learning (DL) ProgramGeneral InformationThe DL MDiv follows the same curriculum of 30 courses andthe prerequisite Greek course as the traditional Luther SeminaryMDiv. Students in the DL MDiv program complete the degreein a cohort-based program paced over 5.5 to 6 years, includingsummers. This length of time includes either a year of full-timeinternship in a congregation, or two years of part-timeinternship with enrollment part-time in classes. Decisions aboutinternship and the pace of the senior year are made together bythe student, Luther Seminary contextual learning staff, and, ifthe student is a member of the ELCA, the student’s synodcandidacy committee.Invitation to a DL MDiv cohort requires admission toLuther Seminary as well as an interview with a member of theDL MDiv staff aimed at discerning readiness for success in adistributed learning program. For students who are members ofthe ELCA, invitation to the DL MDiv cohort also requires apositive entrance decision from their synod candidacycommittee for the distributed learning degree path.Students in the DL MDiv program may move to campus atany point in their studies and finish their degree in residence.Students moving from the DL MDiv to the residential MDivmust inform the Academic Dean of their intention.For more information contact:The Office of Admissions651-641-3521admissions@luthersem.eduVocational FormationCohortFormation happens within community. All students in thedistributed learning MDiv program belong to a cohortcommunity of 12-20 students. DL MDiv students take all corerequirements with members of their cohort as well as otherLuther students.All holds on a student’s account must be resolved beforeregistration will be allowed. Any holds placed on a student’saccount can be resolved by contacting the office where the holdoriginated. Unresolved holds will cause a student to loseregistration priority.During the first three years of the program, the cohort isenrolled in online courses each fall and spring semester andgathers on campus for intensives each January and June.Exceptions to this schedule are built in for the off-campusCross-cultural Mission Experience and for Clinical PastoralEducation.New Student OrientationAll distributed learning students are invited to complete anonline orientation module that informs them of computerrequirements, introduces them to Luther Seminary’s learningmanagement system and digital library resources, and helps themprepare for the work of being an active learner.Orientation to campus life happens during the cohort’s firston-campus intensive. The intensive orientation includes anintroduction to the course plan, advisers, administrators,resources for academic success and healthy living, and the widercommunity of the Twin Cities.General Degree RequirementsBachelor’s degreeA bachelor’s degree or its equivalent received from a regionallyaccredited college or university.GreekGreek is a prerequisite for study in the master of divinityprogram. For additional information on the Greek prerequisite,see page 146.Students who enter the master of divinity program withouthaving satisfied the Greek prerequisite must take LG1200 assoon as possible and before taking any New Testament courses.Master of divinity students who have completed ten fullsemester courses (or equivalent) but have not completed theGreek prerequisite will have a hold placed on their registrationuntil Greek is completed.Course requirementsThe DL MDiv program uses the same comprehensivecurriculum as the residential MDiv program: a minimumof 30 courses plus prerequisite Greek course, including requiredcourses in the core curriculum. Up to twenty of the credits maybe completed online, and at least ten of the credits must becompleted on campus.Cross-cultural Mission ExperienceStudents are required to take a half course Cross-cultural MissionExperience. One January Term in the course plan is reserved forthis requirement.Bible Proficiency ExamStudents must successfully complete this exam by thecompletion of ten full semester courses (or equivalent). Afterten full semester courses (or equivalent), students will not beable to register for any more courses until they have passedthe Bible Proficiency Exam.Study materials and procedures are available through the“Bible Tutor” on www.luthersem.edu. For students whosedenomination requires a similar biblical proficiency exam, thisrequirement can be waived. Contact the Office of the Registrarfor procedures.20LU T H E R S E M I N A RY | 2009-2011 AC A D E M I C C ATA LO G