Deaconess Certification

Deaconess Certification Program

This program is designed for women who already hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to become Deaconesses in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Certification Program may also be combined with study for the Masters of Arts in Religion degree at Concordia with careful course planning.

To find out more about this program or to ask specific questions about the program, please e-mail the Director of the Deaconess Program.

For general information on the Deaconess Program, see the Deaconess Program Web Page.

Post-Baccalaureate Deaconess Certification Program Approved, April 18, 2005
The Deaconess Certification Program prepares students to serve in the church, in church agencies and missions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod LCMS). The program is designed for women who already hold a bachelor's degree and who desire to serve in the LCMS as a Minister of Religion-Deaconess. A certificate of deaconess studies is granted to a student who successfully completes the program. LCMS Deaconess Certification is granted to an LCMS student who successfully completes the program, exit interview, and who displays suitability, competence and fitness for ministry in the LCMS.
Application forms may be obtained from and are to be submitted to the Director of the Deaconess Program.The applicant will be interviewed by the Deaconess Review Committee and will be admitted fully, admitted on provisional status or declined admission based upon the application and interview. Admission Materials Required: Submission of a completed Deaconess Certification Program Application,including a detailed autobiographical statement An official transcript from each college/University attended, including verification of a completed bachelor's degree Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better; Three letters of recommendation (one being from the applicant's home pastor) An illustration of the applicant's ability to write (i.e. article, paper, etc.) Any additional interview instruments required by the Deaconess Review Committee
Course of Study Upon successful admission to the program, thestudent will be given a detailed course of study. This course of study shall be approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair; a copy will be filed in the Registrar's Office. Following this approval, no Up to one half of the course requirements, excluding the internship, may be fulfilled through transfer of credit into the program, as approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair. Up to one-fourth of course requirements, excluding the internship, may be completed by some combination of credit for prior learning and distance learning methods with members of the faculty, as approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair.
Application for Deaconess Internship Students must apply for Deaconess Internship (THY 4990 or THY 4991) by November 1 of the year prior to the internship. Internship application requirements are the same as those listed under the Undergraduate Deaconess Program.
Exit Interview An exit interview is required only for the student who desires LCMS Deaconess Certification.Upon successful completion of the student's assigned program, the Deaconess Director and Theology Department Chair shall conduct an exit interview to determine their recommendation to Synodical Placement Approval Committee (SPAC) of the student's suitability and fitness for deaconess ministry. Documentation requested for this interview will include, but is not limited to, a written statement from the student, transcripts, evaluations from field experience and internship, and recommendations solicited from faculty.The Deaconess Director and Theology Department chair will submit one of the following recommendations to the SPAC:unqualified, qualified, delayed or denied recommendation for LCMS Deaconess Certification and placement.
Synodical Placement Synodical placement procedures are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog

Post-Baccalaureate Deaconess Certification Program

Approved, April 18, 2005

The Deaconess Certification Program prepares students to serve in the church, in church agencies and missions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod LCMS). The program is designed for women who already hold a bachelor's degree and who desire to serve in the LCMS as a Minister of Religion-Deaconess.

A certificate of deaconess studies is granted to a student who successfully completes the program. LCMS Deaconess Certification is granted to an LCMS student who successfully completes the program, exit interview, and who displays suitability, competence and fitness for ministry in the LCMS.

Application forms may be obtained from and are to be submitted to the Director of the Deaconess Program.The applicant will be interviewed by the Deaconess Review Committee and will be admitted fully, admitted on provisional status or declined admission based upon the application and interview.

Admission Materials Required:

Submission of a completed Deaconess Certification Program Application,including a detailed autobiographical statement
An official transcript from each college/University attended, including verification of a completed bachelor's degree
Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or better;
Three letters of recommendation (one being from the applicant's home pastor)
An illustration of the applicant's ability to write (i.e. article, paper, etc.)
Any additional interview instruments required by the Deaconess Review Committee

Course of Study

Upon successful admission to the program, thestudent will be given a detailed course of study. This course of study shall be approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair; a copy will be filed in the Registrar's Office. Following this approval, no

Up to one half of the course requirements, excluding the internship, may be fulfilled through transfer of credit into the program, as approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair.
Up to one-fourth of course requirements, excluding the internship, may be completed by some combination of credit for prior learning and distance learning methods with members of the faculty, as approved by the Deaconess Director and the Theology Department Chair.

Application for Deaconess Internship

Students must apply for Deaconess Internship (THY 4990 or THY 4991) by November 1 of the year prior to the internship. Internship application requirements are the same as those listed under the Undergraduate Deaconess Program.

Exit Interview

An exit interview is required only for the student who desires LCMS Deaconess Certification.Upon successful completion of the student's assigned program, the Deaconess Director and Theology Department Chair shall conduct an exit interview to determine their recommendation to Synodical Placement Approval Committee (SPAC) of the student's suitability and fitness for deaconess ministry. Documentation requested for this interview will include, but is not limited to, a written statement from the student, transcripts, evaluations from field experience and internship, and recommendations solicited from faculty.The Deaconess Director and Theology Department chair will submit one of the following recommendations to the SPAC:unqualified, qualified, delayed or denied recommendation for LCMS Deaconess Certification and placement.

Synodical Placement

Synodical placement procedures are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog

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