Total enrollment at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, reached 582 students this fall, an increase of 44 students from last fall. This enrollment is the Seminary's largest since 1984 and distinguishes Concordia Seminary as one of the 25 largest seminaries of any denomination in the United States.

Of the 582 students, 435 are full-time students preparing to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This represents an increase of 15 students over last year. Of these 435 students, 394 are enrolled in the Master of Divinity degree program, and 41 are Certificate (Alternate Route) program students.

"We are thankful for increases of this magnitude" commented Rev. Glen Thomas, Vice President for Seminary Relations at Concordia Seminary. "The confidence with which the church regards Concordia Seminary and its graduates is encouraging. We form men for ministry with the understanding that they should possess a theologian's mind and a pastor's heart. It is obvious that the church agrees with this understanding, and we pray that God will continue to bless Concordia Seminary's students, faculty and staff as we seek to fulfill the mission He has given us."

Full-time student enrollment in the Seminary's Graduate School experienced an identical increase of 15 students over the past year. The Seminary's Graduate School offers Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Theology and Ph.D. in theology degrees. The largest increase took place in the Ph.D. program with an increase of 12 students over last year. The Seminary's Master of Arts program experienced an increase of eight students over last year, nearly doubling the enrollment in the program from 10 students last year to 18 students this year.

"We have initiated evening courses in the Master of Arts program, making it more accessible for prospective students within a reasonable drive of Concordia Seminary," commented Dr. James Voelz, Dean of Concordia Seminary's Graduate School. "We also continue to offer the only Ph.D. program in theology in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and its growth is gratifying."

Prospective students who seek to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are encouraged to contact Rev. Jeffery Moore in the Seminary's Admissions Office at 1-800-822-9545 or e-mail him at admissions@csl.edu. Those who seek enrollment in the Seminary's Graduate School are encouraged to contact Dr. James Voelz at 314-505-7103 or e-mail him at gradschool@csl.edu.