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In addition to completing the online application with your personal information, you will also need to provide the following materials.

A recommendation letter from your WELS or WELS-affiliated congregation’s pastor or an administrator of a WELS or WELS-affiliated Early Childhood Center or Elementary School.

The person you ask to write your letter of reference should be someone who knows you well, knows your interests in serving in the public ministry, and can speak to your gifts, talents, and abilities. The letter should be about a page in length.

Letters of reference should be submitted by the person you asked to write the letter as a signed PDF attachment to an email sent from their church or school email to admissions@mlc-wels.edu.

If you would like to ask someone who is not currently serving as a church leader, school principal, or teacher to serve as your reference, please contact the Director of Continuing Education to discuss your request.

Applicants who completed college courses and/or degrees at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States and its territories should request official transcripts from all institutions they attended.

Applicants who completed college courses and/or degrees at an institution of higher education outside of the United States and its territories should submit a foreign transcript evaluation.

Applicants who have not had any previous college experience must submit proof of high school completion.

All transcripts must be submitted directly to the Admissions Office. Electronic copies of your transcript can be sent directly to admissions@mlc-wels.edu. Paper copies of your transcripts should be directed to

Martin Luther College – Admissions
1995 Luther Court
New Ulm, MN 56073

The Personal Statement is your opportunity to share with us how you define the term and what it means to you to join the WELS public ministry as a Christian Educator by answering the question “What does the term “Christian Educator” mean to you.

This statement should be between 100-200 words. The intention of the personal statement is not to eliminate students from our program. Instead, the intention is to better prepare you for the course of study you are about to begin.

We genuinely want to know your thoughts about the term “Christian Educator” because it is a phrase we will return to throughout our course of study. We want you to be able to look back on your experiences in our program and see the development of your philosophy as a called worker in the public ministry of the WELS.

Once all elements have been received, your application will be considered and a determination of admission into the program will be made.

Those accepted into the program will receive a letter from the MLC Admissions Office with additional information.

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