Field Education
Field Education engages junior and middler seminarians in experiential learning to develop readiness for and improve competencies in rostered ministry. In parish and institutional contexts students learn to relate academic courses to pastoral work. Four semesters of Field Education for M.Div. seminarians and three semesters for M.A.R. seminarians are required for graduation, and one academic credit hour is awarded for each semester satisfactorily completed.

First Year / Field Ed Application Form

Second Year / Field Ed Application Form

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
For the M.Div. degree the seminary requires one basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for which six hours of credit are awarded. M.A.R. students are advised to take the basic unit as an elective. Students must submit the required documents to the office of Contextual Education. No credits are given for additional CPE units. CPE consists of training programs and service opportunities certified by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (of which the seminary is a member) in hospitals for the mentally ill, general hospitals, correctional institutions, centers for rehabilitation of alcoholics, institutions for the aging, etc. Contextual Education staff guides students in their applications.

Internship Year Program
The Internship Year provides extended and thorough involvement in the work of ministry under the supervision of a pastor/supervisor approved by the seminary. An integral part of the Master of Divinity degree program, internship is a prerequisite for ordination by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Eligibility for internship: completion of at least 80% of the courses required during the junior and middler years; two preaching courses; a basic unit of CPE; endorsement by their synod candidacy committee. Students are also required to participate in an internship conference prior to and an internship debriefing conference following the experience. Successful completion of internship carries 30 hours credit toward the M.Div. degree. Click here for The Intern Program.

Student Application for Internship Placement

Congregation Application for Intern

Cross-Cultural Program
All M.Div. and M.A.R. students are required to fulfill a cross-cultural requirement, usually in January of the first or second year of seminary. Lasting from ten days to three weeks, this program is a significant immersion in a ministry setting different from the student’s customary environment. The cross-cultural experience aims to equip students to understand more fully and better meet the challenges of Christian ministry today. The Contextual Education office coordinates this program, issuing a list of activities and sites early in the Fall semester. Students may propose their own sites, but such are subject to review and approval by the Contextual Education Committee. Students follow up their experience with a theological reflection paper and a conference with their faculty advisors.

Have a question? Need help with the Form? Need additional information (general or specific), or wish to share ideas for Contextual Education, please e-mail
Ms. Shelley Allen or call me at 803-461-3217.