Admission to Abbreviated Degree Programs

Students may be admitted to abbreviated degree programs based on prior academic theological degree completion. These decisions are made by the admissions committee in consultation with the Academic Vice-President/Dean and are based upon the requirements and policies of the Association of the Theological Schools (ATS). 

The most common abbreviated degrees relate to students who have completed an ATS-accredited Master of Divinity degree and are now applying to a two-year professional degree at Iliff, including the Master of Arts in Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Master of Arts in Social Justice and Ethics, and the Master of Theological Studies In most cases, one year of study (40 credits) can be waived. Additionally, a prior ATS accredited two-year degree can potentially enable the student to waive one year (40 credits) of study in the Master of Divinity program. Upon approval by the Admissions Committee, abbreviated agreements may be provided for students who meet the U.S. Department of Defense Master of Divinity equivalency requirements when applying to the the Master of Arts in Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Master of Arts in Social Justice and Ethics, and the Master of Theological Studies degree programs.

As is the case in all admissions decisions, agreement by the school to admit a student to an abbreviated degree program will be stipulated in an official admissions letter from the school. Admission to an abbreviated program cannot be retroactively applied and must be stipulated in the admissions process.