The Licentiate Degree is an undergraduate degree that encompasses a plethora of studies geared towards professional entry-level studies required for ordination to the Priestly ministry of the Church. Licentiate Degrees offered through Midwestern focus on the dynamics of the discipline of the major field of study. Since Licentiate Degrees are a professional degree, students who complete their studies are ordained (upon Diocesan recommendation) to the Diaconate or Priesthood within the Church.
To qualify for enrollment into the Licentiate Degree program, the student must meet the following criteria:
1) Must be a full communicant of the Church.
2) Must obtain the recommendation and approval of their Bishop.
3) Must be a high school graduate, or equivalent.
4) Must demonstrate within their local parish a commitment to serve.
5) Must meet the personal and spiritual requirements for admittance as an Aspirant in accordance with the Canons of the Church.
6) Must be under the spiritual supervision of a local Rector or Parish Priest of a local parish, who will serve as their Proctor.
7) Must adhere to the standards and discipline of Midwestern School of Divinity.
The Licentiate in Sacred Theology is provided in conjunction with the various Archdiocese, Diocese and Provinces of the Abyssinian Apostolic Church and is administered in European-style. Each of the major disciplines requires the study and research of several text, along with academic papers consisting of specific requirements. Throughout the program, the student is required to present themselves before the Colloquy for critique and evaluation of academic progress.
Total Credit Requirement: 144 credits
Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
Program Tuition: $125 per credit
Course Registration: $25 per course
Technology Fee: $5 per Trimester
Colloquy: $500 | 3 credits per year (9 credits total)
Academic Paper: 15 credits
Graduation: $225
| COURSE | CREDITS |
| Introduction to the Diaconate | 3 |
| Introduction to the Priesthood | 3 |
| Early Church History | 3 |
| Church Hierarchical Structure | 3 |
| The Divine Liturgy | 3 |
| Sacraments of the Church | 3 + 3 |
| Catechism of the Abyssinian Apostolic Church | 3 |
| Doctrines of the Ancient Church | 3 |
| Liturgical Theology & Liturgicals | 3 + 3 |
| Clericals | 3 |
NOTE: some courses require the student to attend brief Resident Intensives and Symposiums
| BIBLICAL LANGUAGES Hebrew: 9 credits ___Introduction to Biblical Hebrew ___Intermediate Biblical Hebrew ___Advanced Biblical Hebrew ___Reading the Torah and Talmud Greek: 9 credits ___Introduction to Biblical Greek ___Intermediate Biblical Greek ___Advanced Biblical Greek ___Reading the Septuagint | CHURCH DOGMATICS Church Fathers: 9 credits ___Anti-Nicean Fathers ___Nicean Fathers ___Post-Nicean Fathers Theology: 9 credits ___Systematic Theology I ___Systematic Theology II ___ The Catechism of the Church ___Ancient Church Theology |
| CHURCH HISTORY Church History: 9 credits ___The Apostolic Church ___The Reformation ___Early Church History ___Africentric Church History | ECCLESIOLOGY Foundations: 12 credits ___The Nature of the Church ___The Purpose of the Church ___The Mission of the Church ___The Ministry of the Church |
| MINISTERIAL STUDIES Ministerial Functions: 15 credits ___Duties of the Diaconate ___Duties of the Priesthood ___The Duties and Ministry of Bishops ___Homiletics ___Sacraments of the Church ___Church Governmental Structures ___The Divine Liturgy | ELECTIVES Electives: 9 credits choose 3 ___Religious Themes in Media ___Branches of Christian Theology ___Introduction to Canon Law ___Sacred Music ___Guided Readings |
NOTE: upon successful completion of the Licentiate Program, the student may pursue either a Masters of Sacred Theology or a Masters of Divinity.
Tuition financing is available. Please contact the Administrative Office for details/information.