Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University

Trinity Lutheran Seminary forms leaders for Christ’s church at work in the world. 

Message from the Dean:          

I believe the heart of Theological Education is forming faithful, wise and courageous leaders to witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action. The church is called to be a servant-witness in the world. That requires leaders who are formed in faith, informed by knowledge, and experienced in practical application of their learning. As the world around us changes, church leaders need to be able to speak the Gospel in new ways to new audiences in new contexts. 

In the words of hymn writer Richard Leach, ‘Come, join the dance of Trinity!’

The Rev. Kathryn A. Kleinhans, Ph.D. 
Dean 
Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University 

The Trinity Lutheran Seminary community has adopted the following statement of Community Commitments:

“Be courageous. Be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13b-14, NRSV) 

As an educational institution, we are committed to learning together.  This requires a willingness to listen to each other and to engage in difficult conversations with humility and respect.  We are empowered to be community in this brave space because of our faith in the God who sustains us through these challenges, changes, and difficult conversations.

Every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6).  Every human being is of infinite value to God (Psalm 8:3-5, Matthew 6:26-30). Therefore every human being is worthy of respect and will be treated with respect in this community.

Because every human being is made in the image of God, we believe that other people - especially those who are different from us - broaden our understanding of who God is.

As a predominantly white seminary in a predominantly white denomination, Trinity commits itself to be a community where people of all racial identities and ethnicities can flourish and further commits itself to the work of anti-racism in church and society.

As a Reconciling in Christ seminary, Trinity commits itself to be a community where people of all sexual orientations, genders, gender identities, and gender expressions can flourish as full participants in the life of the seminary and the life of the church.

As a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Trinity commits itself to welcoming students, faculty, and staff from other denominations and faith communities who desire to be part of this learning community and who are willing to engage other persons and other beliefs with respect. One way we talk about this at Capital University is to say that we are “rooted in our tradition and open to yours.”  

As an expression of the belief that every human being is made in the image of God, the seminary community commits itself to the use of inclusive language for persons. This includes the use of non-gendered language when referring to humanity in general, as well as using the names and pronouns that individuals use for themselves.

Because God transcends human understanding and expression, the seminary community commits itself to the use of inclusive and expansive language for God. Expansive language includes language and imagery that is not limited to the human. The Scriptures are full of such imagery, e.g., God as rock, fortress, and shield (Psalm 18:2), God as bird (Isaiah 31:5), God as fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13).  Expanding the language we use for God honors the magnitude of who God is and challenges and broadens our understandings and experience of God.

Faculty 

Dean - The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Kleinhans 

Interim Associate Dean - The Rev. Dr. C. Lynn Nakamura

Professors - The Rev. Dr. Olehile Buffel, The Rev. Dr. Kevin Dudley, The Rev. Dr. Baiju Markose, The Rev. Dr. Joy Schroeder, The Rev. Dr. ​Rachel Wrenn 

Doctoral Fellow - Denise Rector

History 

In 1830, the German Theological Seminary of the Ohio Synod, later known as the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, was founded to meet the need for educating pastors in the Ohio region. During its first decade, it had one theological professor, Wilhelm Schmidt. 

In 1845, the English Synod of Ohio founded Wittenberg College at Springfield to provide pastors for the Church as well as members of other professions. Ezra Keller was the first theological professor, and first president, of the fledgling college. In 1906, the theological department was named Hamma Divinity School in recognition of the generosity of Michael and Almira Hamma. In 1964, Hamma received a large measure of autonomy within the Wittenberg structure and was renamed Hamma School of Theology. 

In 1850, the Joint Synod of Ohio founded Capital University. At that time, the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary (ELTS) was part of Capital University. In the 1920s, the Seminary was moved to the present Trinity campus and given a large measure of autonomy within the University. In 1959, the Seminary separated from Capital, becoming an independent institution of The American Lutheran Church. 

By the early twentieth century, Hamma and ELTS were united by a shared allegiance to the Lutheran Confessions, by the Common Service used by several Lutheran bodies in North America, and by much common history. As The American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America came to work closely together in theological education in the 1960s and 1970s, it was decided that there should be only one Lutheran seminary in Ohio. Trinity Lutheran Seminary opened its doors on September 1, 1978, as a joint seminary of the ALC and the LCA. 

As a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1988, Trinity stands for what its predecessors, ELTS and Hamma, embodied commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, to educational excellence, and to thorough preparation for Christian service. 

On January 1, 2018, Trinity Lutheran Seminary became part of Capital University. 

Since its founding, Trinity Lutheran Seminary has provided opportunities for faith training in the classroom and around the globe, equipping students for transformative ministry in a variety of settings. The scope of our master’s degrees will prepare you to change the world, whether you see yourself leading a congregation, teaching in a classroom or advocating for social justice in the community.  

A Vision for Mission 

Disciples of Jesus are called, gathered, and sent. Trinity’s mission statement clearly has that missional thrust. The faculty are determined to make our long-standing commitment to educate leaders for the church’s mission even more explicit by shaping a curriculum that is missional in focus.  

With Serious Theology 

A healthy and vigorous vision for mission requires a solid theological grounding. A diverse, talented, and charismatic faculty leads students through a rigorous academic curriculum. Courses explore sound principles of biblical interpretation, the history of the church’s witness to the gospel, and the task of theology for the missional church in today’s world.      

Deep Spirituality 

Students plan and participate in daily worship; initiate and share in an intentional prayer life; explore the importance of forms of ritual and music; and continually seek ways to remember and live out who they are in Christ. A deep spirituality is essential to strong leadership in mission. 

Contextual Learning 

Students gain valuable practical experience in churches, nursing homes, and hospitals; in urban, rural, and suburban neighborhoods; and in travel to the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. First- and second-year students explore and participate in ministry through their “Learning in Context” assignments in churches throughout Columbus, and third- and fourth-year students grow and mature in their development in internship placements across the state and across the country. 

General Information 

Trinity Lutheran Seminary is a professional school on the graduate level. 

Located in Bexley, Ohio, a suburb on the near east side of Columbus, the Seminary sits just minutes away from the urban vitality of greater Columbus - the country’s 15th largest city. It is easily accessible from Interstate Highway 70 via the Livingston Avenue or Main Street exits.  Across College Avenue from the Seminary is the main campus of Capital University. 

• The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program typically prepares students for ordained ministry. The program typically spans four years for full-time students, which includes the contextual education requirements.

• The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree may be earned in two years of full-time study. This degree  is intended for those persons seeking personal and/or professional enrichment through the study of theology, Bible, history, and related disciplines. In cooperation with Capital University Law School, students may earn dual degrees by making application to both schools. 

Academic Calendar 

Trinity Lutheran Seminary academic calendar can be found at https://www.capital.edu/academic-calendars/#trinity.     

The academic year consists of a Fall Term (August through December) and a Spring Term (January through April), in which students take multiple courses, as well as a May Term in which students may take one course.  Some courses are also offered in summer.    

May term is designed to provide opportunities for intensive study in many different types of contexts and locations. International courses have been conducted in Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador, the Middle East, Kenya, Germany, and Haiti. Other opportunities for study have included courses in urban settings such as Detroit, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. as well as rural settings such as Nebraska, South Dakota, and Appalachia. On-campus courses feature elements not possible to include during regular terms.  

In-Term Course Scheduling - During Fall and Spring Terms, courses may be scheduled to meet for the full semester, for only the first half of the semester (Session 1), or for only the second half of the semester (Session 2).  

Academic Standing and Academic Probation 

To be in good academic standing, a student must not be on academic probation.  A student in the M.Div. or M.T.S.degree program will be placed on academic probation when the student earns grades that meet the following conditions: 

•    One Fail or F letter grade in one term 
•    Two or more Marginal or D letter grades in one term
•    One Marginal or D letter grade in each of two successive terms        

Spring semester and May Term are considered as one term for the purpose of determining academic standing. A student will remain on academic probation until they demonstrate a pattern of successful academic work by earning Passes or letter grades of C or higher in all courses attempted (i.e., with no marginals, fails, or D’s) in one of the 3 following timeframes

a) completing 1 semester of at least nine hours,

b) completing 2 consecutive semesters of at least 3 hours each, or

c) completing their degree program before conditions a or b are met.

Remaining on Academic Probation may jeopardize a student’s financial aid. A student who remains on academic probation after two terms may be advised to withdraw. In extreme cases, the faculty may suspend or dismiss a student. Suspension will be for a specific length of time, usually one year, after which reapplication for admission may be considered by the faculty. Dismissal of a student ordinarily precludes readmission. 

In order to be placed in an internship site or to begin internship, students are expected to be in good academic standing. Students who are on academic probation will not be placed in an internship site. Students who enter academic probation while already on internship may be permitted to continue in their internship placement until they return to good academic standing. A student who is eligible for academic dismissal while on internship may be dismissed in accordance with the seminary’s policy on Academic Standing and Academic Probation. Dismissed students will be removed from their internship site.

Admission Procedures 

Admission to the Seminary is based on more than academic considerations. Acceptance to study for the ministries of the Church involves qualities of the whole person and expectations of the Church concerning the character of seminarians.      

Application for admission must be made through the Office of Admissions. Detailed information regarding admissions can be found here: https://www.trinity.capital.edu/admissions/. Applications are accepted at any time, however those who apply after May 1  put themselves at a disadvantage in regard to requests for Seminary housing, financial aid, and campus employment. For this reason, it is recommended that applicants begin the admission process as early as possible. 

Admission Requirements

Admission to seminary degree programs is based on evidence of ability to undertake satisfactory graduate work. Requirements for admission include:

1. Typically, a Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited college or university.  ATS standards of accreditation allow for the admission of students without a baccalaureate degree or its educational equivalent, provided that they meet the criteria established by Trinity Lutheran  Seminary for evaluating their ability to engage in graduate theological study.
2. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, documented by official transcripts.
3. The ability to read, write, and speak English clearly and effectively (for persons whose primary language is other than English, a recent score of 500 or above on the TOEFL or its equivalent, is required).
4. Evidence of respect for, and willingness to engage,  the Seminary’s teaching of the Christian gospel in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
5. Evidence of personal maturity, conduct,  commitments, and personal skills appropriate to the candidate’s vocational goals, as indicated by the applicant’s references, autobiographical essay, resumé, background check, and, if requested by the admissions committee, a personal interview.
6. Applicants who cannot demonstrate academic readiness (via transcript or other documents),  but who have obvious gifts for ministry, may be granted conditional admission. Conditions set by the Admissions Committee shall be reviewed by the committee at the deadline it has set, normally at the end of the first term of study.

Admission - International Students 

In previous years, seminary students have come from Kazakhstan, China, Iceland, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. The international community includes both pastors and laypersons, most of whom are completing requirements for the Master of Theological Studies degree. These students are a valued part of the Trinity community, contributing a continuing witness to the global nature of the Christian Church.  

Lutheran students seeking study in the United States apply on standard application forms obtained from the national church office in the applicant’s home country. Trinity works with the Global Mission staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the companion national churches to determine priorities of study. Application forms should be returned to the Director of International Scholarships of the ELCA.  International students who are not Lutheran apply directly to the Office of Admissions. 

Capital University is authorized by Federal Law to admit F-1 non-immigrant students. International students who are admitted to Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University must obtain a Form I-20 - Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status from Capital’s Director of International.

Education before applying for their student visa. 

All seminaries, colleges and universities in the United States must electronically report the following information about F-1 students to the Immigration Customs Enforcement each term: enrollment status, current address, and start date of the next term. This electronic notification system requires that international students take great care to maintain their F-1 status and follow all requirements. All international students are required to be registered full-time (9 credit hours), unless they receive authorization to drop to part-time. 

All international students must complete a financial certification form as part of the application for admission with proper documentation attached that reflects an ability to support themselves for the entire academic year. On-campus employment is very limited and cannot be used as the sole means  of support. The only off-campus opportunities available to international students are Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training (after completion of studies), and Employment Due to Economic Hardship. For more information regarding off-campus employment, students should contact the Director of International Education.   

All international students whose first language is  not English are required to submit proof of English-language proficiency documented by a recent TOEFL score. Questions about English language proficiency may be directed to the Director of International Education. 

Candidacy for Ordained Ministries in the ELCA  

Students seeking to be rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America enter a process called candidacy from the very beginning of their preparation for ministry. The candidacy process includes both review and support carried out by the Church through a candidacy committee of the student’s home synod in partnership with the Seminary and the candidate’s home congregation The student’s candidacy committee will provide information to each candidate regarding the various steps of the process. 

Applicants for the Master of Divinity degree program who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America should first contact their synod office  to begin the entrance phase of the ELCA candidacy process. The candidacy process should be initiated at least six months before anticipated enrollment at the Seminary. Ideally, the entrance process is completed and the entrance decision made prior to enrollment. The Seminary grants full admission to the M.Div. degree program to ELCA applicants only after they have received a positive entrance decision from their candidacy committee.  ELCA M.Div. applicants who have not received a positive entrance decision from their candidacy committee can only be granted conditional admission to the M.Div. program; in order to continue in the M.Div. program beyond their first semester, they must receive a positive entrance decision.

Cooperative Relationships 

Theological Consortium of Greater Columbus Trinity Lutheran Seminary and the Methodist Theological  School in Ohio comprise the Theological Consortium of Greater  Columbus. All courses at each of the member  seminaries are open to Trinity Lutheran Seminary degree students through cross-registration (subject to stated prerequisites).

Seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America  Certain courses offered by the other seminaries of the ELCA (Luther Seminary, Lutheran Theological School at Chicago, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Pacific Lutheran Seminary, Wartburg Theological Seminary, and United Lutheran Seminary) are open to Trinity Lutheran Seminary students through cross-registration.  The Associate Dean will regularly communicate the specific courses that are available for cross-registration.

Course Numbering System 

Email / Canvas       

All faculty, staff, and students are issued Capital University email addresses. In order to use Canvas in any course, students must use their Capital email address. To obtain an active account, call Information Technology at 614/236-6508 or stop at Information Technology on the first floor of the Blackmore Library to register for an email account. It is free for all students who are enrolled or on a leave of absence. Students are strongly encouraged to check their Capital email accounts daily. All emails related to course work and university or seminary business will be sent only to university email addresses. 

Grading

Trinity uses a Pass-Marginal-Fail grading system for  M.T.S. and M.Div. students. 

• Pass (P): The student has demonstrated an acceptable level of achievement in meeting the expectations of the course as these are described by the instructor.
• Marginal (M): While not failing the course, the student has demonstrated a questionable level of achievement in meeting the expectations of the instructor for the course. A student may make up a Marginal grade by retaking the course (or its equivalent). No more than three grades of  Marginal will be allowed in the total number of courses required for graduation; no more than one  Marginal in a division will be counted toward the  fulfillment of graduation requirements. No more than one Marginal in a biblical language will be counted toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements.
• Fail (F): The student has failed to meet the expectations of the course. Therefore, no credit is given for the course toward graduation requirements.

If a required course has been failed, it or its equivalent must be (re)taken at the earliest opportunity. Courses taken to repeat a failure or marginal may not be taken by independent study.

When an instructor assigns a grade of Marginal or Fail to a student in a course, the instructor will provide a written evaluation explaining that grade for inclusion in the student’s file.

Letter Grade Option:

A student who desires to be evaluated in a course with a traditional letter grade instead of Pass, Marginal, or  Fail must request such a grade directly from their professor before the end of the second week of the course (or the second day of an intensive course).

In a course where a student requests a letter grade, the  following grading system is used:

A  (93-100) Superior

B (85-92) Good

C (77-84) Fair

D (70-76) Poor

F (0-69) Failure

The same provisions regarding Marginal grades and graduation requirements apply to the letter grade D.

Library Services 

Hamma Library houses a collection of more than 140,000 theological books and periodicals. Because Hamma Library is a part of Capital University’s Library Services, seminary students also have access to more than 250 databases that include 20,000 journals and periodicals, plus more than 250,000 eBooks. Through OhioLINK, students also have access to more than 100 other academic libraries and their collections. Electronic resources are available on and off campus, from most devices, and print materials are deliverable for pick up at Hamma, or any other OhioLINK library that is convenient. As a member of the ATLA Reciprocal Borrower program, seminary students and alumni can borrow at over 100 other theological libraries across the country. Ask the librarian for more information about any of these borrowing options. 

Library also has three student-use computers and a network printer. Students will find plenty of group workspace, as well as quiet corners for individual study.

Pastoral Care and Personal Growth  

Part of the experience of seminary is the support of the growth and development of the whole person-body, mind and spirit. Resources are available throughout the community to contribute to that development. Trinity’s daily worship life, the presence of those who have been trained in spiritual direction, interactions with many clergy within the Seminary community, workshops, referrals to area social and interpersonal professionals, and community events contribute to strengthening personal resilience. Trinity Lutheran Seminary is dedicated to deepening the challenge and hope offered to each person in order to develop disciplines and perspectives that encourage health and wholeness. 

Spouses and families are a valuable part of the Trinity community. Families are invited and encouraged to participate in daily worship and special events, to use the library and to become involved in support groups and special events. 

Pre-Seminary Studies 

Because of the wide range of undergraduate programs and majors offered by colleges and universities, Trinity does not require any one type of undergraduate preparation as a prerequisite for theological study. However, it is recommended that, whenever possible, pre-seminary students include in their course of study a broad background in the liberal arts, including such subjects as English, history, modern languages, philosophy, Greek, and the social sciences. In light of present-day racism, sexism, global poverty amid affluence, and the history of injustice with respect to American minorities, it is of utmost importance that sensitivity to these issues be nurtured prior to entering the Seminary.  

Although academic work at the baccalaureate level cannot be counted for credit at the master’s level, students with courses in Bible and theology at the college level may benefit in their seminary program in one or more of the following ways: 

1. They may test out of a core requirement. A student who tests out is exempted from taking the course but the hours required for graduation are not reduced. The student may be required to substitute a course from that area of study for the exempted core course. 
2. They may have certain entry-level core requirements waived, in which case the student will take another course in that area of study for each course waived. 
3. They may be admitted to certain courses for which they do not have the Trinity prerequisites 

Test-Out Policy 

If a student’s academic background is such that a core course would involve a large amount of repetition, that student may test out of the course by arrangement through the Associate Dean and the instructor of the course to take an oral or written competency examination. Demonstrated competency will exempt the student from the course but will not reduce the hours required for graduation. At the discretion of the Associate Dean in consultation with appropriate faculty, the student may be required to substitute an upper-level course from the same academic division as the exempted course. 

Transfer Credit  

Credit will be transferred from accredited graduate schools and seminaries if it can appropriately be applied to a Trinity degree program, with certain provisos. No transfer credit will be given for work done with a letter grade under C, or with a grade of Marginal in Pass/Marginal/Fail grading systems. 

No more than two-thirds of the total credits required for a degree program can be transferred toward a Trinity degree.

Worship 

First and foremost, worship is where God encounters us with love, mercy, and the transforming presence of Jesus Christ in Word and sacrament.  Shared daily worship calls the Trinity Lutheran Seminary community together and forms the basis for our common life and the center of our spiritual and educational formation in Christ. We worship together as one academic community of faculty, staff, students and guests. In doing so, we demonstrate our unity as members of the One Body and affirm that the work of praising and serving God is the foundation for our studies and for our corporate life.  

The worship of God is a priority as a seedbed of formation. Our worship forms, equips, and inspires our guests and us and prepares our students for excellence in worship leadership, not only on our campus but also in the world.  

The particular focus of our community on preparation for ministry brings certain secondary functions of our worship into prominence. These include the following: 

•  In worship, our busy and fragmented lives can stop for a moment so we may recollect what we are about and find our lives, individually and corporately, re-centered in God. 

•  In worship, our vocational commitments can deepen as we cultivate the habits and spiritual dispositions necessary for faithful service. 

•  In worship, we may be enabled by God to bear one another’s burdens and to uphold one another even in our differences as we pray for each other and for the world. 

 In worship, opportunities are provided for students to plan, participate in, and grow to appreciate services representing diverse liturgical traditions while deepening an understanding of their own specific traditions.