The preseminary curriculum at Martin Luther College prepares men to enroll at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. This course of study stresses foreign languages. Hebrew and Greek, required of all students, are the original languages of Scripture. Students choose a non-biblical language to complete the language requirements. In addition, the curriculum includes a selective liberal arts emphasis, with special attention given to literature and history.
The total credit requirements vary based on language choices. A student enrolling in the preseminary program with the entrance requirements and preferences listed in the admissions section can complete the program of study in four years. Most students can complete a degree program in four years even if they are lacking some of the preferred high school credits. The program plans offer information about credit totals and how to accomplish the program in four years.
Total Credits Required for Graduation – 130 / 131
General Education – 38 Credits
Greek Tracks – 19 or 22 Credits
Classical Greek (19 cr)
Koine Greek (22 cr)
Hebrew – 14 Credits
Non-Biblical Language – 12-19 Credits
Confessional Languages (19 cr)
German (12 cr)
Latin (13 cr)
Spanish (12 cr)
Another Spoken Language (12 cr)
Other Academic Areas – 35 Credits
English (6 cr)
History (6 cr)
Psychology (4 cr)
Philosophy (3 cr)
Science (3 cr)
Theology (12 cr)
Vocal Music (1 cr )
Free Electives – 9 or 12 Credits
Classical Greek Track (12 cr)
Koine Greek Track (9 cr)
After taking Elementary Classical Greek I and II, some students will continue in Classical Greek and some will shift into Koine Greek, based on achievement and the recommendation of the Greek professors.
Classical Greek
GRK1101 Elementary Classical Greek I
GRK1102 Elementary Classical Greek II
GRK2101 Intermediate Classical Greek I
GRK2102 Intermediate Classical Greek II
Required Area Elective (choose one)
GRK3101 Greek Comedy
GRK3102 Herodotus
GRK3103 Lysias & Greek Oratory
GRK3104 Homer’s Iliad
GRK3106 Plato
Free Electives
GRK3001 Helenistic Texts
GRK3002 Greek Classics in Translation
Koine Greek
GRK1101 Elementary Classical Greek I
GRK1102 Elementary Classical Greek II
GRK2001 Intermediate Koine Greek I
GRK2002 Intermediate Koine Greek II
GRK3001 Hellenistic Texts
GRK3002 Greek Classics in Translation
Beginning Language Courses
The elementary level of each non-biblical language option is considered a high school prerequisite. Elementary language courses are offered for students who do not test into the intermediate level in their non-biblical language at MLC, but the credits are not counted in the degree credits needed for graduation. Students who want to study another language in addition to their non-biblical language option may take elementary language courses as free electives.
GER1001 Elementary German I
GER1002 Elementary German II
LAT1001 Elementary Latin I
LAT1002 Elementary Latin II
SPN1001 Elementary Spanish I
SPN1003 Elementary Spanish II
Confessional Languages – 19 credits
GER2001 Intermediate German I (3 cr)
GER2002 Intermediate German II (3 cr)
GER2012 Luther German (3 cr)
LAT2001 Intermediate Latin (4 cr)
LAT2002 Vergil’s Aeneid (3 cr)
LAT2012 Ecclesiastical Latin (3 cr)
German – 12 credits
GER2001 Intermediate German I (3 cr)
GER2002 Intermediate German II (3 cr)
GER2011 Survey of Theological German (3 cr)
GER2012 Luther German (3 cr)
*Free Electives
GER3021 European German Lutheran Writings (3 cr)
GER3022 American German Lutheran Writings (3 cr)
GER4010 German Immersion I (3 cr)
Latin – 13 Credits
LAT2001 Intermediate Latin (4 cr)
LAT2002 Vergil’s Aeneid (3 cr)
LAT2011 Classical Latin Literature (3 cr)
LAT2012 Ecclesiastical Latin (3 cr)
*Free Electives
LAT3001 Roman Historians (3 cr)
LAT3003 Post-Reformation Latin Lutheran Writings (3 cr)
Spanish – 12 Credits
SPN2001 Intermediate Spanish I (3 cr)
SPN2002 Intermediate Spanish II (3 cr)
SPN2011 Intermediate Spanish III (3 cr)
SPN2012 Communicating Christ in Spanish (3 cr)
*Free Electives
SPN3001 Latin-American Culture & Civilization (3 cr)
SPN3002 Spanish & Latin American Literature (3 cr)
SPN3011 Advanced Spanish Conversation (3 cr)
SPN4001 Selected Topics in Spanish I (3 cr)
SPN4002 Selected Topics in Spanish II (3 cr)
SPN4011 Spanish Immersion I (6 cr)
*Courses listed as free electives are not a required part of the non-biblical languages. These free electives are options for completing elective portions of the program.
A student may also fulfill the non-biblical language requirement with achievement in another living language. A student choosing this option must furnish an official college transcript verifying six college semesters of another spoken language or must provide other recognized verification that demonstrates the equivalence of six college semesters.
In addition to the general education and language requirements, students must take additional courses, both required and elective, from other academic areas to complete the liberal arts degree. Click here for the menu of courses.
Seminary Certification
To provide an opportunity for men who are older than traditional college students to prepare for the pastoral ministry of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, Martin Luther College offers the Seminary Certification Program. Click here for more information.
