Bachelor of Arts in Ministry

The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with little or no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry, pre-seminary training, or graduate theological studies. This 126-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.

Student Debt Upon Graduation

Because the B.A. is a new program, there is no current data on student debt. ILT offers financial aid for those who qualify. ILT will also give students access to federal financial aid and federal student loan programs. ILT remains committed to helping students graduate with as little debt as possible.

Cost of Courses

Tuition is $390 per credit hour or $1170 per 3-credit course. The tuition cost is subject to change. Additional costs (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.

Courses to be Completed

The B.A. program provides a broad-based, foundational course of study for high school graduates who want to pursue undergraduate-level studies in ministry or are preparing for ordained ministry.

Total Timeline

This program consists of 42 courses in areas of biblical theology, historical and systematic theology, and ethics, philosophy and religion, and ministry training. Students who choose a concentration can choose to focus on the Bible, Ministry Practice, or Theology. No travel is required for this program, though students may choose to participate in week-long onsite courses. Full-time students can finish this degree in 4 years and part-time students can take up to 6 years.

The Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with little or no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry, pre-seminary training, or graduate theological studies. This 126-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.

Internship

Students who intend to serve in a congregational ministry context are required to complete 1,040 hours (six months fulltime) of supervised internship. This internship is specifically designed to help students who plan to enter a specific ministry context. Students who are going to continue to the Master of Divinity, other academic graduate work, or who are not preparing for a specific ministry context are not required to complete the internship.

Senior Project (Optional)

A senior project is a 30-page (7,500-word) academic paper.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this program, students will be able to:

Develop extensive knowledge of scripture and theology (including exegetical skills and tools to discern God’s Word as Law and Gospel). Develop the contextual education skills and passion to live out effectively the life of the Christian in our ministry vocations. Develop the ability and passion to engage in a lifetime of learning.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of the online application form.
• Proof of completion of secondary education and transcripts from any post-secondary schools.
• A letter of recommendation from a pastor.
• 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 21 in the speaking section and 21 in the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 6.5 in the speaking section and 6.5 in 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: http://ets.org. Information regarding the IELTS can be found at https://www.ielts.org.
• Registration Fee: $55 (nonrefundable).
• Copy of official photo identification.
• Admissions interview with Director of Enrollment Services.

Looking for an education in theology, but can't relocate?

The Institute of Lutheran Theology is an accredited Lutheran seminary providing graduate, certificate, and lay level theological education through a fully integrated online campus. Faithful, fully-credentialed teachers lead students deeply into the Scriptures and the Christian tradition through a continual dialogue via live online video conferencing that replicates a traditional classroom. This grants students the opportunity to study at ILT without the inconvenience of relocating. Students immediately apply what they learn to their lives, communities, families, and congregations.

Mission Statement

The Institute of Lutheran Theology is a Christian faith community, seminary, and graduate school that rigorously equips faithful pastors, teachers, and laypeople to effectively proclaim the Gospel and serve Christ's church throughout the world.

Vision Statement

The Institute of Lutheran Theology will be a leading center for classical theological study in the Lutheran tradition that, consistent with the Great Commission, holds the scandal of the cross before the church and the world through (1) its students and graduates, (2) its participation in the ecumenical theological enterprise, and (3) its pioneering efforts in lay, undergraduate, seminary, and graduate education.

Our Goals

ILT students will love, know, and apply the Scriptures as the Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of all their teaching. ILT students will interpret the Scriptures as Law and Gospel in light of the Lutheran Confessional writings. ILT students will recognize both the full revelation of Jesus Christ and the full reality of the world as essential for the theological task. ILT students will exhibit a spirit of openness in theological discussion and interaction. ILT students will confess the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only hope for the world.

Our Values

Bold

We are bold in asserting the truth of the gospel.

ILT confesses with ultimate urgency the gospel of Jesus Christ once delivered to the saints, as it is proclaimed in the Holy Scripture and confessed in the Lutheran Symbolic Books, without compromise or abridgment.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith. . .” (Romans 1:16)

Bound

We are bound in our submission to the cross of Jesus.

ILT does not glory in possessing truths about Jesus Christ but is captured by the truth of Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Open

We are open in listening to all who may contribute to the theological task.

ILT is committed to freedom of inquiry and expression in service to understanding and proclaiming the truth of the gospel.

“We take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Critical

We are critical in our examination of all truth claims.

ILT fosters the right use of reason and demands intellectual honesty from all members of its community.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Independent

We are independent in carrying out our mission.

ILT is not captive to any external restrictions but is free to serve the whole church and the world at large with integrity and faithfulness.

“I have become all things to all people, that I might, by all means, save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22b)

Hospitable

We are hospitable in serving our students.

ILT seeks to make an excellent theological education available to students regardless of their location or circumstances.

“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.” (2 Corinthians 6:3)