Lakeland College

Master of Arts in Theology

Lakeland College traces its beginnings to German immigrants who traveled to North America and eventually to the Sheboygan area where they settled in 1847. In 1862, they built Missionshaus (Mission House) to train ministers for the expanding community of faith in the Midwest. As the needs of its students changed, Mission House gradually broadened its purpose and became a combined academy, liberal arts college and seminary. Known simply as Mission House for 95 years, the college adopted the name Lakeland in 1956 and the seminary moved to St. Paul in l962 to become United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. The era of Mission House had ended, but Lakeland College became heir to its campus, tradition and educational mission.

In keeping with its heritage as an educational institution of the church, Lakeland College-through its Mission House Center for Theology-offers a course of theological study leading to a Master of Arts in Theology degree. This program is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and serves the following objectives:

1. to provide additional theological education for persons serving in various forms of Christian ministry
2. to provide area students interested in pursuing Master of Divinity degree at a seminary the opportunity to complete some of their graduate coursework at Lakeland, and then transfer those credits to a seminary of their choice
3. to provide students pursuing an alternative tract to ordination a graduate-level theological education
4. to provide a foundation for work toward the Ph. D. in any area of theological study
5. to provide interested laypersons opportunities for personal enrichment

The M.A.T degree requires 36 credit hours (twelve 3-credit courses), including two courses in Church History, two in Theology, three in Biblical studies, one in Ethics, and one in Worship. Students also complete two electives and the Master’s Project.

Students may participate in M.A.T. courses in person at the Sheboygan campus or through an interactive, real time, online experience from their home computer. Through easy to use technology and programming, students can view the notes, images and power point presentations displayed in class, listen to the instructor and classmates, and participate in class discussion.

Students may transfer Lakeland M.A.T. credits to one of several theological seminaries if they wish to complete a Master of Divinity degree. Former students have transferred credits to Chicago Theological Seminary, Eden Theological Seminary, United Theological Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, and Dubuque Theological Seminary.

Contact Us

For more information about Lakeland’s M.A.T program and current course offerings, please contact the Mission House Center at 920-565-1538 or e-mail darlingca@lakeland.edu. You may also contact the Program Director, Dr. Richard Christensen at 920-565-1345 or e-mail at christensenr@lakeland.edu.