CHS FAQ

Concordia House of Studies - Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What classes are offered?
2.  When and where are courses offered?
3.  Who teaches these courses?
4.  Why are these Concordia University System courses?
5.  Does the Concordia House of Studies offer every church work program?
6.  What about the pre-sem program at CHS work?
7.  How does teacher education program at CHS work?
8.  How does the DELTO program work?
9.   How much is tuition?
10. How do I apply?

1.  What classes are offered?

The core set of courses offered are those required of any church work curriculum in the LC-MS.  The list includes:

    Old Testament – 3 hours

    New Testament – 3 hours

    Church History – 3 hours

    Doctrine - 5 hours

        The Christian Faith – 3 hours       

        Lutheran Confessions – 2 hours

    Religion in America -- 3 hours

        (Varieties of Belief)

Specialized courses relating to a specific program will also be offered.  This would include the biblical languages for pre-seminary students.

2.    When and where are courses offered?

Click HERE to be directed to our Current Courses page.

3.  Who teaches these courses?

All core classes are offered under the auspices and accreditation of member schools of the Concordia University System (CUS).  Adjunct instructors who live in Florida may be used, as well as deployed faculty members from CUS schools.  In the case of biblical language courses, we are discussing arrangements with several local schools already offering biblical Greek and Hebrew so that pre-seminary students would not have to take these courses at the seminary.

4.  Why are these Concordia University system courses?

The Constitution and By-laws of the LC-MS reserves the right to certify men and women for rostered positions as teachers to the colleges and universities of the Synod.  Therefore, the Concordia House of Studies  works together with CUS institutions so that the instruction our students receive is the same as students in the Concordia University System. 

Students who successfully complete a course through the House of Studies receive a transcript for that course from Concordia St. Paul  or Concordia University Wisconsin  Each of the CUS schools are members of one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States which are recognized by the Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.  As fully accredited courses, students may transfer the academic credit to any institution in the nation.

5.    Does the Concordia House of Studies offer every church work program?

Initially, CHS is focusing on courses that prepare students for entrance into the seminary, and for certification as Lutheran teachers.  However, the core courses are those required of all church work programs, so students who complete those courses will be well on their way to certification in other church work programs.  Students will also be able to take the core CHS courses and apply them to any of the colloquy programs available from the LC-MS.  If you are interested in programs such as Director of Christian Education, Director of Christian Outreach, or Deaconess, you will be able to complete a portion of your studies at CHS, but you will have to transfer to a Concordia University System school to complete your program.  Close coordination with CUS schools should allow you to spend three years at CHS and two years at the CUS school to complete these five-year programs

6.    What about the pre-sem program at CHS?

Students must have a bachelor’s degree to enter the seminary.  The student will complete his bachelor’s degree from the state university or college.  At the same time, the student will take coursework from CHS designed to prepare the student to successfully pass the seminary competency exams in Biblical knowledge, doctrine, and biblical languages.  Successful scores on the competency exams enable a student to begin immediate work on his seminary education without having to take pre-seminary courses while enrolled at the seminary.

7.    How does the teacher education program at CHS work?

The student will take all coursework necessary for the bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate from the state university.  At the same time, the student will take all of the coursework necessary for the Lutheran Teacher Certificate from CHS.  Because of the partnership between CHS and the Concordia University System, the student will be eligible to be rostered as a Lutheran teacher after one year of teaching in a Lutheran elementary or secondary school.

8.    How does the DELTO program work?

DELTO is a seminary program consisting of thirty courses, the first ten of which are offered at the District level.  Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) is a means for providing off-campus education to seminary students who have been admitted to a certificate program. The DELTO program seeks to address needs and opportunities for pastoral ministry in specialized situations. It provides contextual theological education leading to ordination for men who provide pastoral service to congregations or in situations that cannot support a full-time pastor or missionary.

9.    How much is tuition?

Tuition for 2008 has been set at $135 per credit hour. If you wish to take a course for personal enrichment only, the cost is $200 per course.  Limited scholarship aid is available for church work students.

10.     How do I apply?

If you have a high school degree or equivalent, you can enroll online at www.flga-lcms.org and click on the “House of Studies” link.  You can also print an application form and submit it via mail, or request a form from the address below.

For more information, contact Dr. Wayne Wilke, Director, Concordia House of Studies at:  877-457-5556, ext. 113, or e-mail:  wwilke@flga-lcms.org.