Pastors serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry, the one sacred office given by God for the sake of the church. They proclaim forgiveness, preach and teach God’s Word, administer God’s life-giving Sacraments and provide faithful pastoral care to His people.
Rev. Kyle Mietzner, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska — View additional videos
Pre-Seminary Education
Since seminary study is graduate-level in nature, an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is required for admission to the residential programs of study.
Discover the pre-seminary options in undergraduate education available to those considering enrollment in one of the two LCMS seminaries.
Note: The following undergraduate information has been provided by each of the universities. Total costs will vary based on a variety of factors. Admissions staff at each Concordia will work to help you find grant and scholarship opportunities to assist you in pursuing church work education. Contact the Concordia admissions staff listed below.
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Concordia University Ann Arbor continues to accept students into the online CUAA Lutheran Education program. Other church work programs are not accepting new students at this time.
- Contact: Jeff Frosch | Admission@cuaa.edu | 512-420-3343
Concordia University Chicago
Overview — 2026-27 academic year
- Tuition: $5,000
- Room and Board: $12,200 (for basic, complete plan—variations are available)
- Fees: $0 (fees are rolled into tuition cost)
- Contact: Kyle Thoms | Kyle.Thoms@CUChicago.edu | 708-209-3044
- Schedule a visit today
Concordia University Irvine
Overview — 2026-27 academic year
- Tuition: $8,900 (after the Church Vocations Scholarship is applied—actual tuition cost may be higher if one does not qualify for the Church Vocations Scholarship)
- Room and Board: $14,590 (14 meal plan - other variables may apply)
- Fees: $1,000 + $300 New Student Fee + $300 Parking Fee
- Contact: Carrie Donohoe | carrie.donohoe@cui.edu | 949-214-3389
Concordia Irvine Director of LCMS Recruitment
Concordia University Nebraska
Overview — 2026-27 academic year
- Tuition: $3,500 (after all institutional/federal/state/outside scholarships are applied)
- Room and Board: $11,950 (for basic, complete plan—variations are available)
- Fees: $960
- Contact: Aaron Rohde | Aaron.Rohde@cune.edu | 402-643-7233
- Schedule a campus visit today
Concordia University St. Paul
Overview — 2026-27 academic year
- Tuition: $0
- Room and Board: $13,000 (Congregational Aid and District Aid can be applied to lower this cost)
- Fees: $0
- Contact: Breana Winnes | winnes@csp.edu | 651-641-8718
- Schedule a virtual appointment
Concordia University Wisconsin
Overview — 2026-27 academic year
- Tuition: $36,000 before financial aid (the average church worker student pays $0 in tuition after financial aid is applied)
- Room and Board: $13,670 (for basic, complete plan—variations are available)
- Fees: $530
- Contact: Jeff Frosch | Admission@cuw.edu | 512-420-3343
Seminary Education
God has blessed the LCMS with two excellent seminaries — Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
In all programs, certification by seminary faculty is required before a candidate may receive a call to serve as a pastor in the LCMS.
Learn more
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Overview — 2025-26 academic year
- Tuition: $0 (after institutional financial aid discounts)
- Room and Board: Single Housing (includes meal plan): $11,500. Married Housing: $12,500
- Fees: $150
- Contact: Rev. Jesse Kueker | kuekerj@csl.edu | 314-505-7225
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
Overview — 2025-26 academic year
- Tuition: $0 (after institutional financial aid discounts)
- Room and Board: $10,608 (for single student dorm plan--off-campus married relocation program costs vary)
- Fees: $624
- Contact: Rev. Matt Wietfeldt | Admission@ctsfw.edu | 1-800-481-2155