Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Answer the call. Bring change to the world through the power of the Gospel.

At Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) we teach, form and nurture women and men for leadership in public ministry in a context that is Christ-centered, faithfully Lutheran and ecumenically committed.

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Only ELCA seminary located in the southeastern U.S. and only one approved for training United Methodist clergy in S.C.

LTSS is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada

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Get to know the dynamic city of Columbia where LTSS students live, work and learn.

Attend On-campus, Online or Hybrid

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You choose the delivery method that works best for you. However you choose to attend LTSS, at the center of everything we do is our commitment to building community and helping you reach your life, spiritual and career goals.

On-campus in Hickory

As a Hickory seminary student you live on campus or drive to campus. You benefit from the special in-person experience of learning and worshiping as part of a gathered community on our beautiful campus. You also benefit from having immediate access to faculty, peers and library resources.

LTSS offers quality, affordable apartments for residential students and families and comfortable overnight accommodations for long-distance commuters. For more information about residential housing, contact Kellie Medley, director of residential life, at kellie.medley@35buy.net or 828.328.7249.
Online or Hybrid

Students who attend online or hybrid participate online by livestreaming into classes or completing asynchronous work. You benefit from the flexibility of online learning while still having quick access to faculty, staff and certain library resources. All residential, online and hybrid students are required to attend the First Week Gathering on campus at the beginning of every semester, attending classes and special formation events with their student peers.

The online or hybrid option accommodates students facing irresolvable obstacles to in-person learning. If you are following a call to professional ministry, be sure to consult the appropriate representatives of your denomination before committing to attending as an online or hybrid student.

LTSS Welcomes Diversity

Smiling students around table in seminary classroom

We are a Reconciling in Christ institution with a public commitment to welcoming everyone and offering hospitality to all who enter our academic programs.

As an ecumenical seminary, we embrace students from all denominations. We believe our diversity enriches every student’s experience, expanding your horizons while strengthening your denominational identity.

Lutherans

LTSS is one of seven seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the only ELCA seminary in the southeastern United States. The seminary’s majority Lutheran faculty provide world-class instruction in Lutheran theology, history and polity. Lutheran students and alumni benefit from the seminary’s regional, national and global networks within the ELCA and Lutheran World Federation.

LTSS is proud to house the Region 9 archives, a ministry of the ELCA dedicated to preserving Lutheran history in the Southeast.
Methodists

LTSS is proud to be approved for training United Methodist clergy.

Our Methodist faculty provide world-class instruction in Methodist theology, history and polity. Our Methodist students benefit from a supportive community of peers and a curriculum that accommodates their special requirements.

Our Methodist alumni serve in various ministries across the state and continue to support the seminary in various ways.
Baptists

LTSS boasts a diverse mix of Baptist students and alumni from across the Southeast. Many of our Baptist students are already established professional ministers, while others are just beginning to follow their call to ministry.

Our Baptist students benefit from world-class instruction in Baptist history, theology and polity. We hold a special relationship with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which provides scholarship funding for qualified students.

Each of the programs on the Columbia campus shares a beautiful piece in common, serving others. These programs all nurture students that are called to serve others...

Amanda Burke, M.Div'21

Graduate Programs & Concentrations

Our degree programs are designed to prepare you for a variety of ministry settings, such as church leadership, youth and family ministry, music ministry, faith formation, teaching ministry, chaplaincy and directors of faith-based non-profit organizations ministry.

Explore a Concentration
As an LTSS student, you may use nine general elective hours to complete a formal concentration or cognate. We offer concentrations in Biblical Studies, Theology and Faith Formation.

With the help of university graduate faculty, we offer concentrations in Leadership, Counseling and Sustainability. Once you complete your concentrations or cognates, we will make sure your achievement is designated on your official transcript. For more information, contact Brent Driggers, Ph.D., LTSS associate dean for academic programs, at brent.driggers@35buy.net.

View Degree Programs