ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Accreditation Status

Louisville Seminary along with being one of ten theological schools of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Seminary is officially recognized by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church as an appropriate school for its candidates to receive their theological education. Louisville Seminary warmly welcomes individuals from the wider ecumenical community as well.

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: MDiv, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, MA in Religion, DMin.

The Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is also licensed by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) as a non-public postsecondary institution.

The four degrees for which Louisville Seminary is accredited are:

Master of Divinity (CIP 390602)

Master of Arts in Religion (CIP 390601)

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (CIP 51.1505)

Doctor of Ministry (CIP 390602)

MASTER OF DIVINITY (MDiv)

This program is designed for students seeking ordination in denominations that require the Master of Divinity degree and for enhancing the ministerial careers of students whose denominations do not require the degree.

The MDiv program provides the educational foundation for church leaders, including those seeking ordination. Courses are organized in four distinct but interlocking frameworks that correlate with crucial roles in the practice of ministry:

Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation

Building Communities and Nurturing Relationships

Communal Wisdom and Witness

800 Hours of Field Education

Requirements include 3 years; 81 hours of coursework; and 800 hours of field education.

MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGION (MAR)

The MAR program strives to reflect the church’s vocation to bear witness to the grace of the triune God as shown in Jesus Christ, and continue Louisville Seminary’s history of reaching across cultural, racial, and religious divides.

Deep learning happens through classroom encounters, real world engagement, and focused research preparing people for creative and critical engagement with religious traditions and the intersection of religion and various professions.

Students pursuing the MAR degree program may specialize in:

Biblical Studies

Religious Thought

General Tracks (Custom-Designed Concentration)

Requirements include 2 years (full time); 54 credit hours.

MASTERS OF ARTS IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY (MAMFT)

This program is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

The MAMFT program prepares students for entrylevel, multicultural professional practice in Marriage and Family Therapy and equips them to reflect theologically on their work and the theories that inform their professional practice. The program educates persons with theological and spiritual commitments to become therapists. Graduates meet requirements for marriage and family therapy licensure in most states and will qualify for AAMFT clinical membership.

Requirements include 2 ½-3 years; 70 hours of coursework; and 300 hours of supervised clinical practice.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMin)

This is an advanced professional program for those with a Master of Divinity degree and significant ministry experience. Students who successfully complete the program submit a final integrative project that demonstrates the ability to perform advanced, social-scientific research and to reflect theologically on the practice of ministry.

Louisville Seminary’s DMin degree strengthens the connection between theology and ministry practice either in the church, or in fields closely related to the mission and witness of the church, through intentionally small cohorts, qualitative research methods, writing retreats, workshops, and ongoing support for students’ success. DMin students meet in January and June for 1-2 weeks. The following tracks are offered:

Advanced Practice of Ministry

Black Church Studies (with a special emphasis on rural Black Church Ministry)

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Dual Degrees

The College of Business and Public Administration

Those who answer a call may find they have gifts and passions in multiple disciplines and may need additional education and training for their multivocational ministry. Students may apply to more than one master’s degree program. Currently 13% of our student body is pursuing dual degrees. Degree requirements include:

• MDiv & MAMFT: 127 Credit Hours / (5 years)

• MDiv & MAR: 108 Credit Hours / (4 years)

• MAMFT & MAR: 97 Credit Hours / (4 years)

Louisville Seminary offers Dual Degrees in partnership with the University of Louisville (UofL). Specific degrees include:

• MDiv & Master of Business Administration (4 years)

• MDiv & Master of Science in Social Work (4-5 years)

• MDiv & Juris Doctor (5 years)

Information on Louisville Seminary’s educational effectiveness to include program benchmarks, graduation rate, and ministry placement after graduation, can be found at: lpts.edu/mission#edu

Scholarships

The practice since 2015 has been for Louisville Seminary to guarantee 100% tuition scholarships to all half-time and full-time master’s degree students, including international students. This tremendous gift is made possible through the generosity of alums, churches, and other friends of the Seminary.

In addition, Bookend Scholarships are funds to assist students with the cost of books, and a limited number of Presidential Scholarships are awarded each year in the amount of $20,000. This amount includes the 100% tuition scholarship with any remaining funds to be used for housing or other related expenses.