Faithful, Reformational, Global

With an unwavering dedication to the Christian faith and a reformational perspective, ILT gathers students and professors from across the world, fostering a truly global academic community.

The Christ School of Theology


Welcome to ILT’s Christ School of Theology, a distinguished seminary and graduate school that stands as a beacon of quality in the realm of higher learning. Our institution is dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and fostering a vibrant community of scholars and thought leaders. At the heart of our school is a faculty of esteemed professors, many of whom are prolific authors and influential figures in their respective fields. Their dedication to shaping intellectual discourse and pushing the boundaries of knowledge sets the tone for a dynamic and enriching educational environment.

Within our classes, ideas are not just taught but actively explored, dissected, and challenged. We believe that true growth stems from a relentless pursuit of understanding, and our students, guided by the expertise of our faculty, embark on a journey of deep intellectual exploration that extends far beyond the confines of our classrooms.

ILT’s Christ School of Theology is more than an institution; it’s a vibrant intellectual hub where profound ideas take root and flourish. As we continue to make a lasting impact on the realm of higher education, we remain committed to our mission of shaping the leaders, thinkers, and change-makers of tomorrow. Anchored in the classical Christian tradition from a Lutheran perspective, ILT as an institution of higher education shall preserve, promote, and propagate these values, ensuring that they remain central to our academic pursuits and collective endeavors.

LATEST NEWS

  • December 2, 2024

Spring 2025 history class offering – The Bible and the Reformation

HST 604/704 - Erik Herrmann, Ph.D. - “The history of the Church is the history of biblical exegesis.” ...

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  • November 21, 2024

Remembering Rev. John Rasmussen

The Christ School of Theology and the communities of its parent institute, the Institute of Lutheran Theology, have lost...

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  • October 21, 2024

J-Term 2025 is open for registration!

J-Term 2025 is open for registration! This year the Christ School of Theology is offering two exciting courses for...

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  • October 7, 2024

Dr. Robert Kolb, welcome to the Christ School of Theology!

We, at the Christ School of Theology, are delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Robert A. Kolb...

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Meet Our Faculty

Distinguished Professors and Research Fellows

Adjunct Faculty

Steven Hein
Pastoral &
Systematic Theology

Beth Hoeltke
Systematic &
Doctrinal Theology

Ken Howes
Historical Theology &
German language

David Knefelkamp
Biblical Theology &
New Testament Greek

Timothy Swenson
Pastoral Theology

Discover Our Programs

Intro
Ph.D.
D.Min.
S.T.M.
M.Div.
M.C.M.
M.M.
M.A.

Earn your degree online at your own pace with the option to continue working your full-time job and fulfilling your daily obligations.

All of our classes are held in an online format. We meet in virtual classrooms via Microsoft Teams. Christ School of Theology students and faculty are able to interact with one another, hold open discussions, ask questions and engage the learning process just as if they were in a normal classroom.

Click through the tabs to learn more about the programs we offer at Christ School of Theology.

Doctor of Philosophy

The purpose of the online Ph.D. program is to produce teacher-scholars for the church and the academy who can educate persons for Christian ministry and lives of Christian service, and who themselves will teach and write within the academy generally and the wider public. The teacher-scholars for the church and academy will be equipped to do the theological work necessary to support the church’s witness to Christ and to be responsible and credible participants in vital conversations beyond the boundaries of the church, including college or university settings and various interdisciplinary forums (e.g. learned societies, agencies of church bodies, etc.)

 

Doctor of Ministry

The online Doctor of Ministry program focuses on reaching the unreached in a secular age from a Lutheran perspective. Students are pastors with at least three years continuous experience who want to deepen their perspectives and hone their strategies for the church’s apologetic, evangelistic and catechetical tasks. The program requires 30 credit hours of work, including two independent projects and a final project or thesis.

Master of Sacred Theology

The Master of Sacred Theology is a research degree for students holding the M.Div. or an M.A. in Theology or equivalent degree who want to delve deeper into a particular area of theological study. The program requires 30 hours of coursework, including a thesis. The program is very flexible, allowing students to design a course of study aligned with their own research interests.

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program prepares persons for the office of public ministry of Word and Sacrament in the church of Jesus Christ. It requires 90 course credits, equivalent to three years of full-time coursework. In addition, students in the M.Div. must complete the equivalent of a one-year full-time internship.

Master of Chaplain Ministry

The Master of Chaplain Ministry program is specifically designed to equip students to become faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel as chaplains. Students in this program can focus on the type of chaplaincy in which they wish to serve. Students have the option of completing a further 18 credits of study and earning the Master of Divinity degree.

Master of Ministry

The Master of Ministry program prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can also be an alternative track to ordained ministry. This 44-credit program provides a condensed classical theological education, with opportunities for specialization in particular areas of ministry. The program includes an internship tailored to the student’s goals, which can be done while also taking classes. Graduates of the program have the option of completing a further 46 credits to earn a Master of Divinity degree.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts program provides a broad-based, foundational course of study for college graduates who want to pursue graduate level studies in theology but are not preparing for ordained ministry. The M.A. program prepares students for more advanced study in a theological discipline, as well as providing a broad-based exposure to theological studies for persons in other fields. It requires a total of 33 credits and can be completed in about one and a half years of full-time study or else extended over a longer period.

Academic Calendar

Fall 2024
J-Term 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
JUL 25Deadline for Early Registration
AUG 22Classes Begin
SEP 2Labor Day (No Classes)
SEP 6Last Day to Add/Drop
NOV 1Last Day to Withdraw
NOV 28-29Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)
DEC 9Last Day of Classes
DEC 10-16Finals Week
DEC 23Final Grades Submitted to Registrar
DEC 12Deadline for Early Registration
JAN 2Classes Begin
JAN 9Last Day to Add/Drop
JAN 16Last Day to Withdraw
JAN 22Last Day of Classes/Finals
JAN 29Final Grades Submitted to Registrar
JAN 2Deadline for Early Registration
JAN 23Classes Begin
FEB 14Last Day to Add/Drop
APR 11Last Day to Withdraw
APR 17Maundy Thursday (No Classes)
APR 18Good Friday (No Classes)
MAY 9Last Day of Classes
MAY 12-16Finals Week
MAY 23Final Grades Submitted to Registrar
MAY 12Deadline for Early Registration
JUN 2Classes Begin
JUN 6Last Day to Add/Drop
JUL 4Independence Day (No Classes)
JUL 25Last Day of Classes/Finals
AUG 1Final Grades Submitted to Registrar
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Request More Information

Please message us if you have any questions or are interested in applying to Christ School of Theology.

Send Us A Message

    Accreditation

    The Institute of Lutheran Theology has fully-credentialed faculty members and a complete staff to serve students and faculty. The Institute provides a quality theological education equal or superior to that of any graduate seminary. The Institute of Lutheran Theology has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education to grant degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.

    Address: 5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822
    Telephone: (407) 207-0808

    Christ School of Theology of the Institute of Lutheran Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (www.ats.edu) and is approved to offer the following degrees Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (academic), Master of Ministry (professional), Master of Chaplain Ministries (professional), Master of Sacred Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy*.

    *In June 2024, the ATS Board of Commissioners approved the seminary’s PhD and approved a five-year experiment to offer this degree through a reduced residency of synchronous online courses.

    Address: 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110
    Telephone: (412) 788-6505