Deaconess Program
In order to support students in personal and vocational development, there will be five Transition checkpoints after initial admission to the University, during the course of study:
- Interview with Deaconess Program Leader
- Admission to Deaconess Program
- Admission to Deaconess Internship
- Program Completion
- Deaconess Certification
At the end of each Transition, the student will be notified of the outcome within seven days. The outcome options are: approval, provisional approval or denied. If a student is denied approval through a Transition point, within 30 days of receiving the written denial, the student may either:
- Re-apply after positively addressing, with supporting documentation, the conditions that led to the denial. If the student is denied approval a second time, within 30 days the student may submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs whose decision is final.
or - Submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs whose decision is final.
Full criteria and explanations for Deaconess Program Transition information is in the Deaconess Program Guidebook, available to enrolled students.
Transition One: Interview with Deaconess Program Leader
- By March 1, normally in freshman year, the student will sit for an interview with the Deaconess Program Leader. The student will present evidence:
- Completion of THY-2600 Introduction to Deaconess Ministry (CS) with C or better
- One Theology class with “C” or better
Transition Two: Admission to Deaconess Program
- By March 1, normally in sophomore year, the student will apply for formal admission to the Deaconess Program and sit for an interview with the Deaconess Review Committee. Forms and guidelines are in the Deaconess Program Guidebook. Required components for admission include:
- Permission of the Deaconess Program Leader to sit for the admission interview
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 in theology major and deaconess specialization courses, with a grade of “C” or better in each course
- Completion of 4 Theology courses
- Application including:
- Recommendations from four people:
- Home pastor,
- a CUC professor,
- An individual for whom the applicant has worked,
- An adult (not family or friend) who has observed the applicant in leadership or service
- Criminal fingerprint background check
- Current Program Plan
- The application materials and interview should exhibit the student’s commitment to Christ, capacity to serve and lead in an LCMS context, willingness to learn, and dedication to adorn the Gospel with a godly life. Diaconal characteristics such as compassion, mercy, poise and maintaining harmonious relationships should be evident, as well as the capacity for skills in good communication, leadership and organization, among others.
- Recommendations from four people:
Transition Three: Admission to Deaconess Internship
- Internship is typically a one-year (longer for international missions) full-time experience with stipend in a congregation, agency or mission of the LCMS. It is served under the guidance of an onsite LCMS-rostered supervisor and a CUC supervisor. The internship candidate must meet the requirements of all steps of Transition Three in order to begin internship. Progress through Transition Three normally extends over most of senior year.
- Step 1: Application for Internship
- By December 1, the student will submit the Application for Internship to the Deaconess Program Leader.
- The Deaconess Program Leader and one appropriate faculty member will interview with the student.
- Step 2: Approval for Internship Placement Service
- By February 1, the Deaconess Program Leader will approve the student for participation in the Intern Placement Service, based on successful completion of requirements thus far.
- Step 3: Final Approval for Internship is given by the Program Leader after final grades are recorded in the term prior to internship. Final approval is based upon the following:
- Successful grade report showing pre-requisites and GPA standards are met
- Completion of at least 30 hours in Theology
- Completion of at least 12 hours in the minor
Transition Four: Program Completion
- The Deaconess Program Guidebook, the Deaconess Internship Handbook and the Internship Syllabus provide details and guidelines for program completion. Successful completion includes:
- Completion of all course requirements
- Satisfactory completion of internship by meeting or exceeding all requirements
- Participation in and successful completion of internship seminar(s)
- The student who is not eligible for, or who does not desire, LCMS Deaconess Certification may withdraw from the Deaconess Program and change to Liberal Arts: Theology Major in order to complete their degree.
Transition Five: LCMS Deaconess Certification
- A student seeking LCMS Deaconess Certification will proceed through Transition Five concurrently with Transition Four. The student must successfully complete both Transitions Four and Five before being eligible to serve as a deaconess of the LCMS.
- In order to receive approval for certification, the student must complete:
- Synodical Placement documents and requirements pertaining to placement and call.
- A successful exit interview with the Deaconess Review Committee
- The Synodical Placement Director will oversee and coordinate the process whereby a deaconess candidate receives certification placement. The student must complete all requirements of CUC’s Synodical Placement Office.
BA Theology with a Deaconess Specialization
Program of Studies: 144 hours needed for graduation. This includes 24 hours of 1 year of internship.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Complete College of Theology, Arts & Humanities requirements 1 | 37-42 | |
| Also must complete 6 hours of University THY requirements that can be double counted in major | ||
| Theology Major 30 hours | ||
| THY-2010 | Introduction to the Old Testament (B) 2 | 3 |
| THY-2500 | Martin Luther's Small and Large Catechisms (S) 3 | 3 |
| THY-3105 | Introduction to the New Testament (B) | 3 |
| THY-3320 | Survey of Church History (H) | 3 |
| THY-4580 | Lutheran Catechesis | 3 |
| THY-4490 | Senior Seminar: Theology | 3 |
| Select 2 out of the three courses listed below | 6 | |
| The Augsburg Confession and its Apology (S) | ||
| The Ancient Creeds, the Smalcald Articles, and the Treaties (S) | ||
| The Formula of Concord (S) | ||
| Select remaining 6 hours from courses with a THY prefix of 3000 level or higher | 6 | |
| Courses from the Deaconess Specialization may not count towards the Theology Major | ||
Deaconess Specialization 61 hours | ||
| THY-2600 | Introduction to Deaconess Ministry (CS) | 1 |
| THY-3600 | Deaconess Ethos and Formation | 2 |
| THY-3650 | Foundations of Deaconess Office | 2 |
| THY-4611 | Ministry with Women (CS) | 3 |
| THY-4631 | Deaconess Field Experience (4 semesters) | 4 |
| THY-4650 | Deaconess Office | 2 |
| THY-4660 | Deaconess Practice: Mercy | 2 |
| THY-4665 | Deaconess Practice: Diaconal Care and Visitation | 2 |
| THY-4670 | Deaconess Practice: Servant Leadership | 2 |
| THY-4675 | Deaconess Practice: Teaching | 2 |
| THY-4990 | Deaconess Internship (24 semester hours) | 24 |
| For students who take a Minor in Classical Pedagogy, 6-12 semester hours may be substituted with CLS-4900 Classical Pedagogy Internship | ||
| THY-4310 | Encountering Religion in America (CS) | 3 |
| THY-4550 | Liturgy and Worship (CS) (S) (H) | 3 |
| PSY-4201 | Interpersonal Skills for the Helping Professions | 3 |
| SOW-4310 | Loss and Mourning | 3 |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
| Organizational and Team Communication | ||
| Group Dynamics and Leadership Skills | ||
| Leading Teams and Groups in a Global Environment | ||
| Minor | ||
| Select a minor | 18 minimum | |
| Electives | 15 or more | |
| Select elective hours to total 144 hours (if needed) 6 | ||
| Total Hours | 143-151 | |
- 1
Deaconess students may not apply 1000-level THY courses to the Deaconess Program. See below for the three THY courses that meet General Studies requirements.
- 2
Meets the General Studies - Biblical course requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Studies - Theological course requirement.
- 6
If needed, elective hours may be taken to total 144 hours which includes 24 hours of THY-4990 Deaconess Internship) for graduation.
Minors
The following minors are pre-approved for their applicability to the deaconess vocation (other minors will be considered by petition to the Deaconess Program Director and the Theology Division Chair):
- Biblical Languages
- Classical Pedagogy
- Classical Liberal Studies
- Communication
- Education
- Interdisciplinary (course plan must be approved by Deaconess Director and Interdisciplinary Major/Minor Director)
- Music
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
Deaconess Program
In order to support students in personal and vocational development, there will be five Transition checkpoints after initial admission to the University, during the course of study:
- Interview with Deaconess Director
- Admission to Deaconess Program
- Admission to Deaconess Internship
- Program Completion
- Deaconess Certification
At the end of each Transition, the student will be notified of the outcome within seven days. The outcome options are: approval, provisional approval or denied. If a student is denied approval through a Transition point, within 30 days of receiving the written denial, the student may either:
- Re-apply after positively addressing, with supporting documentation, the conditions that led to the denial. If the student is denied approval a second time, within 30 days the student may submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Services whose decision is final.
or - Submit a Letter of Appeal to the Dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities. If dissatisfied with the decision of the Dean, within 30 days of receiving the Dean’s decision the student may appeal in writing to the Vice President of Academic Services whose decision is final.
Full criteria and explanations for Deaconess Program Transition requirements are in the Deaconess Program Handbook, available online to enrolled students.
Transition One: Interview with Deaconess Director
- By March 1, normally in freshman year, the student will submit an initial portfolio and sit for an interview with the Deaconess Director. The portfolio will include evidence of:
- Completion of THY-2600 Introduction to Deaconess Ministry (CS) with C or better
- One Theology class with “C” or better
- 5 hours of Observation
- 5 hours of Service
Transition Two: Admission to Deaconess Program
- By March 1, normally in sophomore year, the student will apply for formal admission to the Deaconess Program and sit for an interview with the Deaconess Review Committee. Forms and procedures are in the Deaconess Program Handbook. Required components for admission include:
- Permission of the Deaconess Director to sit for the admission interview
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 in theology major and deaconess specialization courses, with a grade of “C” or better in each course
- Completion of 4 Introductory Theology courses:
- Application
- Recommendations from four people:
- Home pastor,
- a CUC professor,
- An individual for whom the applicant has worked,
- An adult (not family or friend) who has observed the applicant in leadership or service
- Criminal fingerprint background check
- Portfolio, including evidence of:
- Current Program Plan
- Completion of at least 30 Observation Hours
- Completion of at least 30 Service Hours
- The application materials and interview should exhibit the student’s commitment to Christ, capacity to serve and lead in an LCMS context, willingness to learn, and dedication to adorn the Gospel with a godly life. Diaconal characteristics such as compassion, mercy, poise and maintaining harmonious relationships should be evident, as well as the capacity for skills in good communication, leadership and organization, among others.
- Recommendations from four people:
Transition Three: Admission to Deaconess Internship
- Internship is typically a one-year (longer for international missions) full-time experience with stipend in a congregation, agency or mission of the LCMS. It is served under the guidance of an onsite LCMS-rostered supervisor and a CUC supervisor. The internship candidate must meet the requirements of all steps of Transition Three in order to begin internship. Progress through Transition Three normally extends over most of senior year.
- Step 1: Application for Internship
- By November 1, the student will submit the Application for Internship to the Deaconess Director. The application will also include:
- Updated Portfolio, including evidence of:
- Current grade report
- Completion of 50 Observation Hours
- Completion of 50 Service Hours
- Updated Portfolio, including evidence of:
- The Deaconess Director and one appropriate faculty member will interview the student.
- By November 1, the student will submit the Application for Internship to the Deaconess Director. The application will also include:
- Step 2: Approval for Internship Placement Service
- By March 1, the student will update the Portfolio to include the following documentation:
- First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
- Updated Grade Report
- Field Work evaluations
- Approval of the Deaconess Director for Internship, pending successful Step 3.
- Upon successful completion of Step 2, the student is approved for participation in the Intern Placement Service.
- By March 1, the student will update the Portfolio to include the following documentation:
- Step 3: Final Approval for Internship
- Successful grade report showing pre-requisites and GPA standards are met
- Completion of at least 30 hours in Theology
- Completion of at least 12 hours in the minor
- Completion of at least 50% of non-course degree requirements
Transition Four: Program Completion
- The Deaconess Program Handbook, the Deaconess Internship Handbook and the Internship Syllabus provide details and guidelines for program completion. Successful completion includes:
- Completion of all course and non-course requirements
- Satisfactory completion of internship by meeting or exceeding all requirements
- Participation in and successful completion of internship seminar(s)
- Submission of completed portfolio
- The student who is not eligible for, or who does not desire, LCMS Deaconess Certification may withdraw from the Deaconess Program and change to Liberal Arts: Theology Major in order to complete their degree.
Transition Five: LCMS Deaconess Certification
- A student seeking LCMS Deaconess Certification will proceed through Transition Five concurrently with Transition Four. The student must successfully complete both Transitions Four and Five before being eligible to serve as a deaconess of the LCMS.
- In order to receive approval for certification, the student must complete:
- Additional Deaconess Program portfolio requirements pertaining to placement and call
- A successful exit interview with the Deaconess Review Committee
- The Synodical Placement Director will oversee and coordinate the process whereby a deaconess candidate receives certification placement. The student must complete all requirements of CUC’s Synodical Placement Office.