Prospective Students
Are you being called as a minister, therapist, chaplain, public theologian, or other faith leader? Is Louisville Seminary the right stop on your vocational journey? We look forward to being a resource and friend as you discern your call.
Degrees & Programs
Courses for these degree programs are taught by an outstanding faculty of scholars who hold advanced degrees from colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Visit the course catalog to see the individual courses offered in each degree program.
Click here for credit hour requirements.
Contact the Office of Admissions
Let's connect! If you have questions, need help filling out forms, or simply want to chat, give us a call at (800)-264-1839 (toll free) or (502) 992-9373 or send us an email!
Want More Info?
We understand this can be a big step towards something new and exciting. We are happy to send you more info, simply fill out the form by clicking the button below.
Get to Know Louisville Seminary
Watch the videos below for short introductions to our campus, studies, and community at LPTS.
Visit the LPTS Campus – Your Way!
Virtual Open House events will continue during the fall and spring semesters. (specific details below.) If you provide us with your contact information (by filling out this form or sending an email), we will keep you informed of these events and other resources that will be helpful as you discern your call to Louisville Seminary.
Note: The Office of Admissions at Louisville Seminary has resumed scheduling in-person campus visits. Because of our Covid vaccination policy, the Office of Admissions is not accepting walk-in visits at this time. Campus visits must be scheduled prior to arrival, and proof of Covid-10 vaccination, including an initial booster, is required for in-person visits. If you have already scheduled your visit, please email the Admissions Department with a copy of your photo ID and vaccination card.
Experience LPTS: Plan an In-Person Visit!
Visiting our campus in-person is encouraged as a part of your discernment process.
Experience LPTS Campus Visit Days are offered on the following Thursdays, with the program running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (ET):
- September 22, 2022
- October 13, 2022
- November 17, 2022
- March 23, 2023
- April 27, 2023
Your immersive campus visit experience will include meeting with faculty, students, and staff, attending classes, touring our campus, and worshipping in chapel. Click on the link below for more information and to register!
Virtual Open House Events
The Office of Admissions will be hosting the following virtual Open House events on different topics related to our degree programs and community life. All events will be held via Zoom from noon to 1 PM (ET). See full list of dates and topics below:
Virtual Open House
Registration
Oct. 7 – Get to know Louisville Seminary
Are you discerning a call to seminary? In this general open house session, you will learn about Louisville Seminary’s mission, vision, and values, our degree programs, including dual degree options, and our campus. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with our Director of Admissions and current students.
Nov. 4 – Faculty Meet & Greet
Join our faculty members for a casual meet and greet. Hear about their areas of scholarship, what courses they teach, books and projects they are currently working on, and what they love most about being part of the LPTS and greater Louisville community.
Dec. 2 – Two Open House Options: MAMFT Program & Practicum and MDiv Program & Field Education (for MDiv prospective students)
MAMFT Program & Practicum – Are you interested in our marriage and family therapy program? If so, this open house is especially for you. Learn about courses you will take, the cohort-based approach to learning, and the various opportunities to engage in hands-on therapy experience through practicum requirements.
OR
MDiv Program & Field Education
At LPTS, we believe that it is important that our students learn both inside and outside of the classroom. All Master of Divinity students are required to complete 800 hours of field education as part of their graduation requirements. Come learn about MDiv education opportunities and hear from current students and recent alums about how their field ed experiences helped to shape their first call out of seminary.
Feb. 10 – MAR Program
What can I do with a Master of Arts in Religion degree? Meet with our Director of Admissions and MAR faculty members to learn about the program and hear the opportunities for this degree.
March 10 – MDiv Degree Program
Do you feel a call to ministry or chaplaincy? Meet with our Admissions Staff, faculty members and current student(s) to learn about the MDiv program and hear the opportunities for this degree.
April 14 – What can I do with a seminary degree?
Louisville Seminary provides a unique foundation of learning and experience that prepares our graduates for careers in diverse ministries. Join us for a panel discussion with various constituents of Louisville Seminary.
The registration deadline is the Friday prior to the scheduled Open House. If you register late, then you will receive a confirmation email with the link to join the Open House if time allows prior to the time session for which you registered.
Register for one (or more) virtual open house by clicking the button below:
Exploring Your Vocation & Call
Is God Calling You?
In Psalm 139 the poet asks God, “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” God pursues us persistently, and this ultimately is comforting, for it is our Creator who knows us best, who “formed our inmost parts.” The God who has “written all our days” also has dreamed for each of us a plan perfectly fitted for our own talents and gifts. God calls us—and is calling someone even now—to use those gifts in service to Christ’s church.
Traditionally, Presbyterians have insisted that gifts for church leadership be developed through theological education. Our denominational seminaries provide unequalled instruction and training. Our gifted students arrive on the Louisville campus and then begin the process of becoming good pastors, counselors, and teachers—servant leaders equipped to help the people of God make theological and biblical sense out of our troubled but exciting world.
We train pastors who are lifelong learners and who assume personal responsibility for integrating classical theological knowledge with the skills and practices of congregational ministry. We challenge our students to live compassionate lives that are congruent with the gospel, taking seriously the commission of Jesus to spread the good news of salvation, justice, love, and mercy. In the skilled hands of our outstanding faculty, students are stretched, nurtured, and cherished as persons who are, in Paul’s words, “stewards of the mysteries of God.” We invite you to join us.
As you are discerning God’s call, we pray with you...
Almighty God, in Christ you pursue us with grace, lovingly capture us in your mercy, and set us free for humble service. Life-giving Spirit, you give each of us gifts for ministry; your purposes stir our souls and give our lives meaning. O Christ, give us courage to respond willingly to your call, relying always on your guidance, strength, and protection.
Perspective on Discernment
Christian Vocation - PC(USA) Presbyterian Mission Agency
Equipping Vocational Discovery - Forum for Theological Exploration
Discernment
by Marcus A. Hong
Director of Field Education
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology
Chapel Worship Coordinator
The Call of God Is Not all about You
by Debra Mumford
Dean of the Seminary
Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics
Director of the Money Matters for Ministry Program
Why you SHOULD come and NOT come to Seminary
by Dianne Reistroffer
Professor Emerita of Ministry and Methodist Studies
Discerning a Call to Ministry - Part I
Vocation or Call as a "form of desire"
by Susan R. Garrett
Professor of New Testament
Discerning a Call to Ministry - Part II
A Calling to the Learned Ministry
by Susan R. Garrett
Professor of New Testament
Master's Application
Click Here for more information about the master’s degree applications and deadlines.
Dual Degree Program
If you would like to be considered for a dual degree program, you will need to fill out one of the forms in this section. These are to be completed in addition to one of the three applications listed above and cannot be considered as stand-alone applications. There is an additional application fee for dual degree programs.
For more details about Dual Degrees, Click Here.
If you have already started the "Master of Divinity (MDiv) Application" above,
click here to add the dual MAR Application OR
click here to add the dual MAMFT Application.
If you have already started the "Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) Application" above,
click here to add the dual MDiv Application OR
click here to add the dual MAMFT Application.
If you have already started the "Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) Application" above,
click here to add the dual MDiv Application OR
click here to add the dual MAR Application.
CONTACT US
Our staff in the Admissions Office is here to help.
Phone (502) 992-9369 or (800) 264-1839 ext 369
