Certificate of Theological Studies
At Lutheran Brethren Seminary, we are eager to serve men and women sensing a call to pursue theological education in order to serve more effectively as a layperson. The Certificate of Theological Studies (CTS) is a non-degree program that offers the student a wonderful opportunity to experience the equivalent of one year in seminary in order to develop a deeper understanding of his/her faith and to explore God's leading in his/her life for future ministry.
Candidates for the Certificate of Theological Studies might include the following: adult learners who are interested in full or part-time study, those preparing specific local or overseas cross-cultural mission assignments, or college students who wish to attain theological and biblical grounding for future study or vocation. In addition to the required core courses, the CTS offers many choices in biblical and theological electives with emphases in Lay Ministry, Bible and Theology, and Mission. If full-time study is possible, a student may complete a CTS program in one year.
As with all other programs at LBS, CTS courses are taught at the graduate level. If a student should later be admitted for an LBS degree or diploma program, all of the credits earned in the CTS may be applied.
General Education Requirements
At a minimum, the student must meet the following general education requirements prior to admission into the program (32 credits):
Communications (6 credits)
Speech - 3 credits
English Composition - 3 credits
Humanities/Fine Arts (6 credits)
Introduction to Philosophy - 3 credits
Literature - 3 credits
Behavioral/Social Science (12 credits)
Western Civilization, I, II - 6 credits
General Psychology - 3 credits
Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
Natural Science/Math - 3 credits
The following are also required either prior to or following admission:
Humanities Electives 5 credits
Total General Education Requirements - 32 credits
The Certificate in Theological Studies is granted to students who have completed the 32 credits of general education requirements prescribed above, plus an additional 30 credits (10 core required credits, 20 credits in electives) as outlined in the CTS program of study.
CTS Courses
The following core courses are required of all students in the CTS program. (10 credits)
- NT 635 New Testament Introduction - 4 credits
- EB 611 Torah & Covenant History - 3 credits
- ST 821 Systematic Theology I - 3 credits
In addition to the above core requirements, students will complete the program with electives from other courses listed in the spring and fall schedule. (See p. 29 for 2011-2012 Tentative Course Offerings. For other course options in the catalogue that are not in the Fall/Spring schedule, consult with your assigned faculty advisor or the Registrar.) 20 credits
For students wanting a CTS with an emphasis in Lay Ministry, we especially recommend including electives from the following:
- PT 901 Homiletics - 2 credits
- PT 907 Spiritual Care - 3 credits
- PT 908 Pastoral Theology - 3 credits
- PT 932 Theology & Practice of Evangelism - 3 credits
- PT 920 Worship (offered every other year) - 2 credits
For students wanting a CTS with an emphasis in Bible & Theology, we recommend including electives from the following list:
- HT 715 Church History - 3 credits
- HT 722 Survey of American Christianity - 3 credits
- EB 613 Old Testament Poetry & Wisdom - 3 credits
- ST 823 Systematic Theo. III - 3 credits
For students wanting a CTS with an emphasis in Mission, we recommend including electives from the following list:
- WM 751 The Church in Mission - 3 credits
- WM 755 Cross-Cultural Communication in Mission - 3 credits
- WM 757 World Religions and New Religious Movements - 3 credits
- PT 932 Theology & Practice of Evangelism - 3 credits
