Candidacy Status and Update Form

To be completed by an official Judicatory Representative:

Applicants to Luther Seminary pursuing ordination into rostered ministry are required to submit additional supporting documents from their respective judicatory body indicating support of their application. Applicants do not need to be fully entranced into their candidacy process to apply to Luther Seminary, unless requested by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Luther Seminary requires this extra step as a good faith measure in partnership with judicatory authorities and to ensure applicants are 1) taking the necessary steps to begin the ordination process with their judicatory body as they pursue their theological studies and 2) have had conversation with their judicatory body to confirm that the degree program and contextual education offerings at Luther Seminary meet the requirements of their judicatory body's ordination process.

For more detailed information about Luther Seminary's degree programs, please see our most current Academic Catalog.

Judicatory Confirmation Authority Contact Information

Judicatory Authority Name (i.e. synod, diocese, conference, church, council)

Judicatory Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Judicatory Phone Number

Your Full Name (i.e. Judicatory Representative submitting form)

Your Email Address
Must be an official judicatory or professional email address - cannot be the applicant nor a familial relation

Candidacy Status Update

You are completing this form for the candidate you identify below. By completing this form, you are 1) confirming the current candidacy or ordination status of the identified candidate and 2) confirming support for the candidate's pursuit of a degree program at Luther Seminary.

Full Name of Candidate

Denomination/Faith Community in which candidate is seeking candidacy/ordination

ELCA Candidacy Status
What is the candidate's current candidacy status?

Expected Month/Year of Entrance Interview

Date of Entrance

Date of Endorsement

Date of Approval

Date of Denial

Candidacy/Ordination Status
How would you best describe the candidate's current status in the candidacy/ordination process?

Please note that as of June 30, 2027 Luther Seminary may no longer be an approved seminary by the University Senate for students seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church. Luther Seminary will, however, continue to offer excellent educational options for UMC students seeking non-ordained ministry or ministry as a Local Licensed Pastor (LLP).

If your candidate plans to pursue ordination in the UMC, please see the University Senate's list of approved seminaries. Luther may no longer be listed after June 30, 2027.

If your candidate plans to pursue ordination in the UMC, please verify that they have been approved to take courses at Luther Seminary for the purpose of ordination in the UMC:

I understand that courses will not be approved by the University Senate for the purpose of ordination in the United Methodist Church beginning June 30, 2027 but am still encouraging this candidate to pursue their studies at Luther Seminary.

I do not approve this candidate's pursuit of studies at Luther Seminary and will encourage them to apply for an approved seminary through the University Senate.

Support for Seminary
Do you support this candidate's immediate pursuit of a degree program at Luther Seminary?

Yes

Expected Degree Choice, Program Duration, and Internship Type
In the email sent to you by this candidate, an expected degree choice, program duration and internship type were indicated by your candidate.
Please confirm that you approve of these selections made by your candidate:

Please let us know if you have any concerns or remarks about your candidate's selections in regards to program selection, program duration, and/or internship type.

Other Information/Comments
Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Have Additional Paperwork to Forward? Please send a copy of any relevant documentation (i.e. entrance paperwork, etc.) as an attachment to admissions@luthersem.edu.

Please note this form can be filled out multiple times as updates are available for your candidate.

Thank you!

In lieu of signature, type your full name below