About the Alternate Route
The Alternate Route (AR) program is an alternative to the traditional four-year MDiv program. The AR program focuses on the spiritual, academic, and personal development of students in exceptional circumstances.
Admission Requirements
Because of the doctrinal position of the LCMS, all candidates for the Alternate Route program must be men. If you are a woman who would like to enter full-time service in the Church, consider our diaconal programs.
- Knowledge of the Bible, Christian doctrine, and Greek, shown by taking Entry Level Competency Exams or our pre-seminary courses.
Graduates of the Concordia University System (CUS):
- Eight years of experience as a commissioned and rostered Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) church worker.
- Communicant member in good standing of an LCMS congregation.
All Other Applicants:
- Ten years of ministry experience (as elder, lector, Bible study leader, etc.) in an LCMS congregation.
- Communicant member in good standing of an LCMS congregation.
- Thirty-five years old at the time of application.
- Sixty credit hours of college-level coursework.
Start the AR Application
Your Next Step
Take the first step toward your vocation. Submit your application now and join a community committed to rigorous study and faithful service.
- One pastoral recommendation
- Four personal recommendations
- Official transcripts from college(s) attended
- An interview with your District President
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Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale who do not already have a master’s, doctorate, or equivalent degree
CTSFW does not accept GRE scores older than five years
- If you did not graduate from a CUS institution, you must provide documentation of your ten years of ministry experience
Bibliography and Technology
Catechism Recitation
EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY – 22 HOURS
Gospels I, II
New Testament Greek Readings
Pentateuch I
Pauline Epistles
Major Prophets
HISTORICAL THEOLOGY – 6 HOURS
Church History II, IV
PASTORAL MINISTRY AND MISSIONS – 34 HOURS
Liturgics I, II
Homiletics I, II
Confessing Christ in Today’s World OR Ministry in Pluralistic Context
Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Theology I, II
Theological Ethics
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY – 28 HOURS
Dogmatics I, II, III
Lutheran Confessions I, II, III
Theologia I: Baptism
Theologia II: Preaching
Theologia III: Lord’s Supper
FIELD EDUCATION AND VICARAGE – 3 HOURS
Field Education I, II
Vicarage
TOTAL – 93 HOURS
A graduate of the AR program
- confesses the faith of the Holy Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions
- interprets biblical texts in agreement with the Lutheran Confessions
- embraces baptism, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper
- preaches and teaches biblical truth
- worships, prays, and gives thanks
- views church history as the history of his own family
- defends the faith
- exemplifies Christian life
- cares for the children of God
- gathers those outside the church into the saving fellowship of Christ’s body
AR Cost of Attendance (COA)
You can see a breakdown of the costs associated with this program by clicking here. Interested in using our cost of attendance (COA) calculator? Click the button below to get started.