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Are you interested in becoming a Lutheran deaconess or joining CDC? 

To become a rostered deaconess, the LCMS offers the following training programs with deaconess certification:

Concordia University, Chicago

• Bachelor of Arts in Theology with Deaconess Studies
• Colloquy (for those with training outside of the LCMS programs)

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

• Deaconess Studies Online-ODS
• MA with Deaconess Certification
• MA with Deaconess Certification & Masters of Social Work (MSW)
• Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS)
• Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT)

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

• MA in Deaconess Studies (Residential)
• MA in Deaconess Studies (Distance)

There are also synodical pre-deaconess programs at an undergraduate level.

In addition to completing one of these, CDC also requires:

• communicant member of an LCMS congregation, 
• no membership in another deaconess conference or association (since no others are affiliated with the LCMS), and 
• either a synodical called or certification while awaiting a call. 

You can apply below. Your application will be processed by the CDC Membership Committee and then forwarded to the Executive Committee for approval. If you are already certified, commissioned, and rostered as an LCMS deaconess, you may apply for Member status. If you are awaiting a call or rostered status, you may apply for Affiliate status. Affiliates become members upon installation into an LCMS call.11