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Changing Degree Programs

Enrolled students in the Graduate CMaster of Arts and Master of Divinity degree programs may request a degree change to another Master’s program through the Registrar using the change of degree form found on MyLutherNet. Completing the degree change form is the first step.

Master of Arts students requesting a change to the Master of Divinity degree program will additionally be asked to:

  1. Request confirmation of entrance into candidacy or an ordination process, sent directly by candidacy committee or judicatory body to candidacy@luthersem.edu. The Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation will confirm receipt of documentation with the Registrar. 

  2. Connect with the Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation to review Clinical Pastoral Education and internship requirements. The Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation will confirm information has been communicated with the Registrar.

Please note: Student must meet biblical language requirements, including taking appropriate New Testament and Old Testament core courses that make use of the languages. Any required core courses yet to be taken that require biblical languages may not be taken until respective language prerequisites are complete. 

Master of Divinity students requesting a change to the Master of Arts degree program will additionally be asked to:

  1. Provide an update regarding your candidacy status with your judicatory body. If continuing in an ordination process, request that your candidacy committee or judicatory body send a communication to candidacy@luthersem.edu indicating support for the degree change. If no longer pursuing an ordination process, describe in detail an update of your discernment process and how the new degree program will equip you for your ministry vocation. The Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation will confirm receipt of documentation with the Registrar.

  2. Meet with the faculty point person for the new degree and concentration to ensure there is a program fit. The faculty point person will confirm the student may proceed with the degree change with the Registrar.

Please note: If the Associate Director of Candidacy and Vocational Formation determines a loss of judicatory support has occurred, it may be necessary to proceed to a process for determining student status (see “Loss of Judicatory Support”).

Master of Arts degree student requesting a change to another M.A. concentration will additionally be asked to:

1. Meet with the faculty point person for the new concentration to ensure there is a program fit. The faculty point person will confirm the student may proceed with the degree change with the Registrar.

Please note: Courses taken in the Master of Divinity track that are not required for a Master of Arts degree either as part of the core or as part of a student’s concentration may be used as free elective courses.

Graduate Certificate students requesting a change to the Master of Arts or the Master of Divinity degree programs will additionally be asked to:

  1. Have successfully completed two courses and have made satisfactory academic progress within the Graduate Certificate program.

  2. Fulfill the steps for moving into the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree programs outlined above.

After the change of degree form is completed and all above requirements met, the Registrar will complete a degree audit and then notify the student of the approved degree change and the results of the degree audit.