Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theology

Answer your calling

The Lord asked, "Who will go for us?" and Isaiah answered, "Here am I! Send me!" Do you hope to answer the call to become a pastor? Your desire to serve is an encouragement to us. The Church needs loving and grounded shepherds to lead believers while here on earth. Though there is joy in service, you likely recognize the weight of such a vocation. Let us guide you in prayerful consideration and the awareness building it takes to pursue seminary training.

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Financial Aid

The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.

Learn about financial aid

Program Overview

If you intend to pursue a Master of Divinity at seminary, this major provides you with a basic overview of the Scriptures and Lutheran doctrine. While our curriculum teaches Lutheran doctrine and our school is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, all students who desire to prepare for the pastoral office (regardless of denominational affiliation) are welcome. Our theology faculty is made up of pastors dedicated to guiding, challenging, and encouraging you as you work toward completion of this program.

What to Expect

You will study the background and teaching of the Lutheran Church as confessed in the Book of Concord and will be grounded in the Lutheran ethos, identity, and ethic. Although not required, you are encouraged to double major in theological languages alongside the applied theology major. This program provides a solid base for further theological training; it does not train you to be a pastor.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Steps

Admit. Commit. That’s it!

For first-time freshmen and transfer students:

Submit your online application
Send Official High School Transcripts (College Transcripts if Applicable).
Send your official ACT or SAT scores

For those that would like to be considered as test optional in the admissions process, please contact your admission counselor. Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are required to submit an ACT/SAT. You will receive an email and a phone call from your dedicated Admission Counselor. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions regarding the application process. We review each application on an individual basis using a holistic approach.

Eligibility

Selected Pre-Seminary students will receive $20,000 of total financial aid from CUW.*

Candidates must be admitted to CUW as new freshmen and have a major or minor in Theological Languages. They will have a GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 22. Candidates will demonstrate that they are members in good standing of an LCMS congregation, have been active in their churches and communities, and have the support of their pastors. They will also affirm that they intend to become LCMS pastors.

Application Deadlines

Each candidate will submit the online application and will have his pastor complete and submit the Pastoral Recommendation Form (PDF | DOC) to the Pre-Seminary Director by mail, fax, or email.

Preferred deadline: 11:59 PM on December 15. Secondary deadline: 11:59 PM on February 1. The Pre-Seminary Director will then schedule an interview with qualified applicants. For more information contact the Pre-Seminary Director (Dr. Ronald Mudge, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 North Lake Shore Dr., Mequon, WI 53097; email: Ronald.Mudge@cuw.edu; phone: 262-243-4301; fax: 262-243-2901).

Luther Scholar Application

Criteria

The Luther Scholar Guarantee is renewed annually for up to four years based on full-time undergraduate enrollment (12-18 credits per semester), and living on campus. CUW aid is subject to change if the student’s cumulative CUW grade point average is below a 2.5. Additionally the student will maintain good standing in the Pre-Seminary Program and will take part in at least four activities of the Pre-Seminary Student Association and at least one recruitment event per year. Lastly, the student will re-affirm his commitment annually to become an LCMS pastor.

Selection

The Pre-Seminary Director will review all submitted application materials and make recommendations to the selection committee which will make the final selection of recipients. Students will normally be told whether or not they have been chosen to receive the Luther Scholar Guarantee by April 1.

In order to be eligible for all funding listed above, the candidate must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov. Early filing is encouraged, and we ask that candidates have applications completed by February 1st.

*IMPORTANT: Due to the nature of this esteemed award, it encompasses all institutional awards (merit, church work, early filing grants, athletic awards, extra-curricular awards, etc.) and students are not eligible for any other institutional aid. However, students may still apply for outside scholarships without impacting the Luther Scholar Guarantee.