Independent Lutheran seminary in Brookings offering fully-accredited undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs entirely online.
ILT operates two main academic divisions: Christ School of Theology for graduate and seminary students, and Christ College for undergraduate and certificate programs. The institution is fully accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the Association of Theological Schools. ILT does not ordain graduates; ordination authority rests with the synods and associations that accept their graduates. The school offers degrees at multiple levels including associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate, with programs tailored to individual educational goals and designed to prepare students for ministry, business, and other professions.
ILT operates as a fully online institution with a physical campus in Brookings, South Dakota. The school emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to earn degrees at their own pace while maintaining full-time employment and other obligations. The library provides access to 30,000 physical volumes and multiple electronic databases. Students benefit from live online virtual classrooms where they interact with instructors and peers in real time, creating a community experience despite the online format.
ILT's mission centers on speaking the Word of Truth freely and educating students in the classical Christian tradition. The institution welcomes students of all denominational backgrounds and emphasizes learning, critical thinking, and helping students fulfill their God-given callings. Founded to serve conservative Lutheran clergy and church workers, ILT now supports multiple Lutheran church bodies including the North American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, and others that separated from the ELCA.
ILT offers admission pathways for undergraduate, graduate, and international students. The school provides transfer of credit policies and maintains academic policies supporting diverse student backgrounds. International admissions are available, and the institution offers financial support options including the Pathways Scholarship Program. Specific admission requirements and detailed application procedures are available through the admissions office.