FORT WAYNE, March 31, 2025—The PhD in Theological Studies (PhD-TS) and Master of Sacred Theology (STM) programs, two advanced graduate programs at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), are now closely integrated, following a recommendation from the PhD-TS Advisory Committee that was approved by the faculty.
Under revised program requirements, which go into effect in the summer of 2025, PhD-TS students who complete the first year of their program will be awarded an STM. STM graduates, if accepted into the PhD-TS program, will have already completed the first year of the program.
"The changes to our PhD in Theological Studies program will make it more accessible and assure more completions, with the result that we will have more theological educators for the Lutheran church whose scholarship is characterized by faithful confession and theological conviction," said CTSFW Provost Dr. Charles Gieschen.
The PhD-TS Advisory Committee noted several specific benefits of the revisions. With the Lord's blessing, the changes will:
Permit international students to reside in the US for only one year.
Facilitate easier acquisition of German language ability.
Allow STM graduates to take calls as pastors and complete the PhD-TS from the parish.
Enable sharing of classes between the PhD-TS program (which previously was only residential) and PhD-Missiology program (which is reduced-residency).
"The CTSFW faculty is committed to provide formation of the highest quality at the doctoral and master’s level for the edification and defense of Christ's Church," said Dr. Benjamin Mayes, a member of the advisory committee. "The changes are aimed at maintaining high levels of academic achievement while making this more manageable for our students to attain."
CTSFW launched the PhD-TS program in 2018 to answer the call of LCMS leadership and partner churches for a doctoral program in the areas of Confessional Lutheran Studies and Biblical Studies, which had been a vision at CTSFW since the late 1980s. The program prepares future confessional Lutheran professors and researchers of theology for service in the US and around the world.
The Master of Sacred Theology (STM) program, a one-year residential program, guides students to become competent theological researchers, including extensive use of the German language, which is essential at the STM and PhD-TS level.
"We are very excited to offer these programs, which aim at nurturing and raising Lutheran theologians who are useful to the Lord in His church," said Dr. Naomichi Masaki, director of the PhD-TS and STM programs. "The vitality of our confessional heritage is found in the ongoing and faithful reception of the gifts that the Lord is giving. We invite students to develop their scholarly gifts here so the saving Gospel may be faithfully taught and preached throughout the world."
To learn more about program requirements or to apply, visit the program webpages or contact Dr. Naomichi Masaki at naomichi.masaki@ctsfw.edu.
The application deadline is January 15 of each year, for entry in the summer.
Founded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community that engages and resources the church and the world, domestically and internationally, with distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. To learn more, visit ctsfw.edu.
