Seminary Academic Program

The course of instruction extends over three school years, or six semesters. The years are referred to traditionally as junior, middler, and senior.

Junior Orientation

Junior orientation extends over a period of four weeks and includes a weekly schedule as follows:

Pastoral Internships

The six-week internships (vicaring) are assigned and scheduled for the beginning of the middler and senior years. These begin prior to the seminary school year and conclude by the end of Junior Orientation. A report of the student's internship is submitted by the supervising CLC pastor and forms the basis for determining a pass/fail grade.

Cycle 1: Program for 2023-2024

The following courses will be offered during the 2023-2024 academic year (AY24). Credit hours for each semester are indicated in parentheses. Courses marked with an asterisk are taken by juniors only.

Biblical Introduction (Isagogics)
Old Testament – Canon and Text (2, 0)
New Testament – Gospels, Acts, and Early Pauline Epistles (0, 2)

Exegetical Theology
Hermeneutics * (2, 0)
Old Testament – Genesis (3, 3)
New Testament – Ephesians (2, 2)
Harmony and Synopsis of the Gospels I (2, 2)

Doctrinal Theology
Dogmatics I – Scripture, Doctrine, God, Man (3, 3)
Symbolics I – Creeds, Augsburg Confession, Apology of Augsburg Confession (2, 2)

Historical Theology
Church History – Modern Period (3, 3)

Practical Theology
Homiletics I* (2, 2)
Homiletics II (middlers – 1, 1)
Preaching (all – 1,1)
Pastoral Theology I (2, 2)
Christian Education I (0, 2)

Cycle 2: Program for 2024-2025

The following courses will be offered during the 2024–2025 academic year (AY25). Credit hours for each semester are indicated in parentheses. Courses marked with an asterisk are taken by juniors only.

Biblical Introduction (Isagogics)
Old Testament – Pentateuch, Historical Books (2, 0)
New Testament – Later Pauline Epistles, General Epistles,
Revelation (0, 2)

Exegetical Theology
Hermeneutics * (2, 0)
Old Testament – Isaiah (3, 3)
New Testament – Galatians (2, 2)
Harmony and Synopsis of the Gospels II (2, 2)

Doctrinal Theology
Dogmatics II – Christology, Justification (3, 3)
Symbolics II – Smalcald Articles, Formula of Concord (2, 2)

Historical Theology
Church History – Ancient Period (3, 3)

Practical Theology
Homiletics I* (2, 2)
Homiletics II (middlers – 1, 1)
Preaching (all – 1,1)
Pastoral Theology II (2, 2)
Christian Education II (0, 2)
Liturgics (1, 1)

Cycle 3: Program for 2025-2026

The following courses will be offered during the 2025–2026 academic year (AY26). Credit hours for each semester are indicated in parentheses. Courses marked with an asterisk are taken by juniors only.

Biblical Introduction (Isagogics)
Old Testament – Major and Minor Prophets (2, 0)
New Testament – Canon and Text (0, 2)

Exegetical Theology
Hermeneutics * (2, 0)
Old Testament – Isaiah (3, 3)
New Testament – Romans (2, 2)
Harmony and Synopsis of the Gospels III (2, 2)

Doctrinal Theology
Dogmatics III – Sanctification, Means of Grace, Eschatology (3, 3)
Comparative Symbolics (0, 2)

Historical Theology
Church History – Middles Ages and the Reformation (3, 3)

Practical Theology
Homiletics I* (2, 2)
Homiletics II (middlers – 1, 1)
Preaching (all – 1,1)
Evangelism (3, 0)
Pastoral Counseling (0, 2)
Christian Education III (0, 2)
Liturgics (1, 1)

Limited Public Ministry Program

The Limited Public Ministry program (LPM) is available only for male students 35 years or older who are communicant members of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC). The LPM program exists exclusively for the purpose of preparing applicants to be assistant pastors at most, not to be theologically trained candidates eligible for a regular call into the pastoral ministry. A working knowledge of biblical Greek and Hebrew, therefore, is not required to enter this program. 

The Limited Public Ministry program requires three years of course work, of which at least the final two years are to be taken in residence. Application for enrollment is to be submitted by June 15. Applicants should check the LPM blank on the seminary registration, which can be obtained from the dean of the seminary (john.ude@ilc.edu). For more information see pages 24-29 in the seminary catalog, or follow this link to a brochure describing the LPM program.