Confessional Lutheran Post-graduate Studies
The Lutheran School of Theology (Församlingsfakulteten) in collaboration with Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne, IN (USA) offers a Master of Sacred Theology (advanced theological studies) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Upon completing the program, students receive the S.T.M. degree from CTS.
The S.T.M. (in Latin: Sacrae Theologiae Magister) degree program provides the opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge in a chosen field of theological study and to gain and use skills necessary for scholarly work and research in theology on an advanced level. The program is suitable both for those who wish to advance their theological knowledge and understanding beyond a Master of Divinity degree (or its equivalent) and for those who wish to equip themselves for theological leadership in the church. The program is an excellent preparation for persons planning to continue with studies for a doctoral degree.
Upcoming courses:
- 2024 Sep 9-13: The Lutheran Theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in context, Torbjörn Johansson, FFG
- 2024 Nov 18-22: Baptism and Lutheran Catechesis, John Pless, CTS
- 2025 Feb 17-21: Doctrine and Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper, Naomichi Masaki, CTS
Application
In the American education system, a Master of Divinity (or similar) is required for admission to the S.T.M. degree program. In the European education system, a Bachelor of Theology degree is required (or cand. theol.). Application form
Finances
The course fee is US$550 (~5,000 SEK) per course. Students make arrangements for travels and lodging on their own. Students are encouraged to search for scholarships. Contact us for further information.
Previous courses (some courses return repeatedly):
- January 7-14, 2014: THE DOCTRINE AND LITURGY OF THE LORD´S SUPPER FROM VERBA DOMINI, LUTHER, AND LITURGICAL MOVEMENTS, Naomichi Masaki, CTS
- November 17-22, 2014: GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTIFICATION IN ROMANS, Timo Laato, FFG
- March 9-14, 2015: THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY MINISTRY, Naomichi Masaki, CTS
- September 7-12, 2015: BISHOP BO GIERTZ, Rune Imberg, FFG
- November 16-21, 2015: BAPTISM AND LUTHERAN CATECHESIS, John T. Pless, CTS
- February 29-March 5, 2016: JUSTIFICATION, Roland F. Ziegler, CTS
- September 5-10, 2016: CHRISTOLOGY IN THE GOSPELS, Daniel Johansson, FFG
- November 14-19, 2016 (in Wittenberg, Germany): THE FORMATION OF THE FORMULA OF CONCORD 1546-1576, Lawrence R. Rast, CTS
- February 27-March 4, 2017: MARTIN LUTHER’S THEOLOGY, Naomichi Masaki, CTS
- September 11-16, 2017: THEOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Timo Laato, FFG
- November 13-18, 2017: DOCTRINE & LITURGY OF THE LORD´S SUPPER, Naomichi Masaki, CTS
- February 26-March 3, 2018: HERMENEUTICS, Charles Gieschen, CTS
- September 10-15, 2018: REVIVAL MOVEMENTS, Rune Imberg, FFG
- September 9-14, 2019: THE BOOK OF REVELATION, Daniel Johansson, FFG
- November 18-23, 2019 (in Wittenberg, Germany): THE FORMATION OF THE FORMULA OF CONCORD 1546-1576, Torbjörn Johansson & Daniel Johansson, FFG
Application and admission procedures for the full S.T.M. program
- The prospective student should download and fill in the S.T.M. application form.
- The applicant must submit official transcripts of all previous academic work beyond high school. Since methods of recording grades and conferring degrees differ from country to country, the applicant must also submit details of their academic careers including official transcripts in English of academic work and copies of any degrees or diplomas held, together with some information about the institutions granting the degrees.
- Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are able to evaluate the applicant’s character, scholarly intent and ability. This should be sent directly to Concordia Theological Seminary from the referent. The personal reference form is found here.
- The application form, transcripts of previous academic work and reference forms should be sent by mail to Concordia Theological Seminary, Graduate Studies Office, 6600 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46825-4996.
Study plan for S.T.M. students
The standard structure for the STM program is three intensive courses per year, a total of nio courses. Six of these courses are in the area of systematic theology, which is the main subject of the program (”major”). In addition to completed courses (incl. course papers), students will be examined on 1) a Biblical Language Exam, 2) a Research Language Exam, and 3) a Major Comprehensive Exam. Finally, the student writes a major essay (Thesis), which is presented and defended.