School of Arts and Sciences
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Department of Theology
Pre-Deaconess Studies
Serve your community, your church, and the world through our Pre-Deaconess Studies program.
Preparing for a life of service
Deaconesses have a rich tradition in the Lutheran church. They’ve been around since the time of Phoebe, who supported the work of Paul and the early church thousands of years ago. We’ve come a long way since then, but the mission of a deaconess, as well as her life of service, has remained similar. And the need for deaconesses remains today as well. So if the Lord is calling you to be a modern-day “Phoebe,” we encourage you to check out our Pre-Deaconess program.
Credits
18
On-campus
All courses offered face-to-face on Ann Arbor's campus.
Financial Aid
The average undergraduate student award is $16,603.
Learn about financial aidProgram Overview
Deaconesses get to share the amazing message of Christ in a variety of settings, from aiding pastors in their congregations to serving in the mission field at home or abroad. At Concordia, we’ll provide you with a solid theological foundation as you study Scripture, learn Greek, and develop yourself as a well-rounded individual through our liberal arts, core curriculum. As a student in our Pre-Deaconess Studies program, you’ll also choose a major or minor: Christian Thought major or minor, Philosophy minor, Applied Theology major, Theological Languages major or minor, Parish Music major. Or, you can add a more specialized complementary major or minor, according to your talents—such as Music or Family Life. You’ll also have the chance to participate in church-work internships, mission trips, and pre-seminary student activities.
What to Expect
By the time you finish our program, you’ll be ready to begin your studies as a deaconess student at either of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seminaries.
Recommended for you (based on programs you’ve viewed)
Locations
- Ann Arbor
How to Apply
Undergraduate Application Steps
It’s time to help you become a Cardinal! Just follow these simple steps to complete your application.
For first-time freshman:
- Submit your online application
- Have your school send your official high school transcripts. Transcripts may be mailed or sent via a transcript processing service to:
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Admissions Office
4090 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48104 - Send your official ACT or SAT scores.
Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official. If your school does not put scores on transcripts, please contact ACT or College Board.
For transfer students:
- Submit your online application
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
*Transfer students with less than 60 college credits completed will also submit official high school transcripts. Students who have less than 30 college credits also need to submit official ACT or SAT scores. Scores on your high school transcript will be considered official.
Minimum Requirements
- A minimum GPA of a 2.5/4.0 (C average) or higher
- ACT composite of 18 or above
- SAT equivalent of 940 or higher for combined math and evidence-based reading and writing (for tests taken after March 2016).
*If your GPA or ACT score falls below the minimum for acceptance, your admissions counselor may ask you to retake the test or supply additional documents, such as an essay or letters of recommendation, to complete the application.
Required Academic Coursework in High School
A minimum of 16 units of high school (secondary school) work is required, of which at least 11 should be in basic liberal arts areas. Units should be distributed as follows:
- English: At least three units, but four are strongly recommended.
- Mathematics: Two units of college-prep math, preferably one each in Algebra and Geometry.
- Natural Science: Two units, preferably one each in Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
- Social Studies: Two units, preferably one each in world history and American history.
- Liberal Arts: Two units of the same foreign language or additional units in one or more of the other listed subjects or in fine arts.
- Other Electives: Five units from any area of academic study, but ideally from the areas listed above.
- German or Latin is recommended for pre-seminary students.
Theodore J. Hopkins
Ph.D., M.Div.
Director - Pre-seminary studies for CUAA, Associate Professor
Office: Krieger K-110
Phone: (734) 995-7480
Bio
I am a husband and father, Lutheran pastor and professor, who is particularly interested in Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I began teaching at Concordia University, Ann Arbor in 2015.
Education
- Ph D - Doctrinal Theology, Concordia Seminary (2016)
- M Div - Theology, Concordia Seminary (2011)
- BS - Physics, Valparaiso University (2007)
Contributions
- Hopkins, T. (2021). Christ, Church, and World: Bonhoeffer and Lutheran Ecclesiology after Christendom. (pp. ~200). Lanham, MA: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic Press.
- Hopkins, T. (2020). Luther and Bonhoeffer on the Sermon on the Mount: Similar Tasks, Different Tools. (1 ed.,vol. 7,pp. 34-59). Mequon, WI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2019). Review of Mark Chavez, American Religion: Contemporary Trends (2nd edition). (1 ed.,vol. 28,pp. 44-45). Logia.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Review of DeJonge, Michael P. Bonhoeffer’s Reception of Luther. (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 91-93). Concordia Theological Journal.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). Theology Is for Confession. (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 7-9). Concordia Theological Journal.
Presentations
- Hopkins, T. (2023). Experience Makes the Theologian: Recovering Lutheran Patterns of Christian Experience. Keynote/Plenary Address. 2023 Circuit Visitor's Conference. Frankenmuth, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2022). Strangers, Yet at Home: Going Beyond the Walls in Humility. Keynote/Plenary Address. Theological Conference 2022: Beyond the Walls with Jesus. Lansing, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2019). Reading Scripture Against Ourselves: Bonhoeffer's Penitential Hermeneutic. Paper. Devoted: Reforming the Devotional Life (30th annual Theological Symposium). St. Louis, MO.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Servant Church: Mission After Christendom. Lecture. St. Luke Lutheran Church Sermon/Bible Study Two-Part Series on The Church's Mission After Christendom. Ann Arbor, MI.
- Hopkins, T. (2018). The Location of Congregational Vocation: The Importance of Place in the Mission of the Church. Oral Presentation. The Lutheran Foundation Grant Workshop. Fort Wayne, IN.
Research Interests
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Church and World
Teaching Interests
- Systematic Theology
- Lutheran Confessions
Ryan Peterson
- Chief Liaison at CUAA, Assistant Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7596
Bio
Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson serves as Campus Pastor/Assistant Professor of Theology. He oversees the worship life of the campus and teaches The Bible, Christian Faith, and other theology courses.
Education
- D Min - Leadership and Ministry Management, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (2017)
- M Div - Theology, Concordia Seminary (2007)
- BA - Pastoral Ministry/Theological Languages, Concordia University Wisconsin (2003)
Research Interests
- Leadership and Ministry Management
- Missions and Evangelism
Teaching Interests
- The Bible
- Christian Faith/Christian Doctrine
Charles R. Schulz
Ph.D, S.T.M., M.A., M.A., M.Div.
Associate Professor
Phone: (734) 995-7384
Bio
Professor Schulz, Pre-seminary Director, loves helping students realize God's calling. At Concordia since 2001, he also served as pastor of St. Thomas (2005-2014). His hobbies include running, travel, and German.
Education
- Ph D - Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary (2020)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (1996)
- MA - Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity, University of Virginia (2004)
- MA - Classical Languages, Washington University (1998)
- BA - General Science, Concordia University (1990)
- Exegesis, Concordia Seminary (1998)
Contributions
- Schulz, C. Origen's Exegetical Legacy. In Joshua Hollmann, Scott Yakimow (Ed.), Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal . https://www.cuaa....
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Catechism Sermon on the First Article of the Creed." In Benjamin Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 307-11). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon for Exaudi Sunday Afternoon, On Divorce ." In Chris Brown and Benjamin T. Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Vol. 56, Sermons III, pp. 27-36. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 9). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon for the 10th Sunday after Trinity." In Chris Brown and Benjamin T. Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, vol 56, Sermons III. (1 ed.,vol. 56,pp. 62-8). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. https://www.cph.o...
- Schulz, C. (2018). "Sermon on the Legend of St. Christopher ." In Chris Brown, Benjain Mayes (Ed.), Luther's Works, Sermons III. (vol. 56,pp. 312-7). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
Presentations
- Schulz, C. (2022). Origen's Exegetical Legacy. Paper. Theological Symposium: Search the Scriptures. St. Louis, MO.
- Schulz, C. (2022). Arguing Over the Gods: Apologetic Interpretations of Ps 82:6 in the Fourth Century. Paper. North American Patristics Society Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
Research Interests
- Patristics (Church Fathers)
- Theology of the Lord's Supper
Teaching Interests
- Classical Languages
- Church History
Scott E. Yakimow
Ph.D., M.Div., M.A.
Professor
Office: Krieger 114
Phone: (734) 995-7411
Bio
Rev. Dr. Scott Yakimow arrived at Concordia University Ann Arbor after spending five years as a mechanical engineer working in hydraulics, another four as a missionary in both East Africa and Morocco, and five years as an Associate Professor at Concordia - Portland. His academic interests cover the areas of philosophical theology and comparative religion. Most specifically, he is interested in scriptural logics, particularly those exhibited by pre-modern Christian exegesis, contemporary Lutheran theology, and medieval Islamic tafsir, analyzing them through the thought of the American philosopher, Charles S. Peirce and the contemporary Jewish philosopher, Peter Ochs. This interest leads him to investigate such diverse areas such as Lutheran confessional theology, pragmatic philosophy, ethics, scriptural exegesis and Islam. <br><br>Scott is married to Miriam, and they have five children together. His interests include enjoying his family, mountain biking, hiking, reading, and traveling.
Education
- Ph D - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2014)
- M Div - Concordia Seminary (2004)
- MA - Comparative Scripture, Interpretation, and Practice, University of Virginia (2011)
- MA - Islamic Studies, Luther Seminary (1999)
- BS - Mechanical Engineering, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Christ College Scholar, Valparaiso University (1994)
- Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Language Institute in Fez (2006)
Contributions
- Yakimow, S. (2021). Spreading Open the Letter and Peering Inside: Gregory Nazianzen, Scriptural Pragmatism, and Doctrinal Development. In Jacob Goodson (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 19,pp. 37). The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning. https://jsr.shant...
- Yakimow, S. (2019). Testing the Spirits: The Early Church on Judging Prophecy and Prophets. In Theodore Hopkins and Scott Yakimow (Ed.), (1 ed.,vol. 6,pp. 13-37). Ann Arbor, MI: Concordia Theological Journal.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Signs of Transformation: Communicating the Gospel in an Age of Nones and Dones. In Victor Raj (Ed.), (2 ed.,vol. 24,pp. 281-297). Lutheran Mission Matters.
Presentations
- Yakimow, S. (2020). Signs of Transformation: A Semiotic Approach to a Lutheran Engagement with the World. Lecture. Tri-Circuit Gathering. LCMS Michigan District offices.
- Yakimow, S. (2016). Inquiring into Inquiry. Paper. Theological Educators Conference. Irvine, California.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). Proclamatory Pragmatism: An Investigation into the Lutheran Logic of Law and Gospel. Lecture. Puget Sound Pastor's Conference. Whidbey Island, WA.
- Yakimow, S. (2015). The Role of Doctrine in the Church’s Life. Lecture. Oregon Pastor's Conference. Bend, OR.
- Yakimow, S. (2014). Doctrine and Truth. Lecture. Bi-Circuit Gathering. Portland, OR.
Research Interests
- Biblical Interpretation / Hermeneutics
- Theology and Science
Teaching Interests
- Philosophical Theology
- Scriptural Pragmatism