The Seminary Certification Program at Martin Luther College provides an opportunity for men who are older than traditional college students to prepare for the pastoral ministry of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Students who successfully complete the program and demonstrate appropriate spiritual, academic, and personal attributes are recommended to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) to  continue preparation for the pastoral ministry.

  1. The Seminary Certification program is designed for men who have demonstrated spiritual maturity and leadership skills in their local congregations.
  2. Men older than traditional college students have the option of either a Bachelor of Arts program or a Seminary Certification program.
  3. Men who are married or older than 21, and who have not attended MLC, should first contact Dr. Alan Sorum at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (admissions@wisluthsem.org).
  4. Men whom  the WELS Non-traditional Student Committee recommends to apply for the MLC Seminary Certification program should then contact the MLC Admissions Office (admissions@mlc-wels.edu).
  5. The Dean for Pre-Seminary Studies tailors a Seminary Certification program to correspond with the academic background of each student. Those who arrive with a previous bachelor’s degree normally require two years to complete seminary certification. Those who arrive without a degree normally require three years.
  6. MLC awards a certificate to those who successfully complete their prescribed program.
  7. Students who complete a Bachelor of Science degree at MLC and then decide to prepare for pastoral ministry may enroll in a two-year Seminary Certification program with the approval of both the Education Dean and the Pre-seminary Dean.