Academic training at Nashotah House is both engaging and rigorous, as students are exposed to stimulating classes, designed to deepen their understanging of the Christian tradition. Nashotah stands in the minority among Episcopal seminaries by requiring that each student learn the fundamentals of Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of the Scriptures, enabling them to proclaim the Word of God with clarity and understanding.

The House's "core curriculum" offers a classical theological education, including extensive work in the old and New Testaments, the history of the Church, and the various disciplines of theology, as well as courses oriented toward the practical skills of pastoral ministry, evangelism, and congregational development. Elective courses, January and June Terms, and practical internships offer students opportunities to explore a variety of subject more deeply.

Our philosophy is that this thorough grounding in the essentials of ministry is the best possible formation for ministry, and provides clergy and and lay leaders with the foundation on which to build a lifetime of learning.

Click here for a printable list of courses offered.

Click here for information on the distance education courses in the M.A. in Ministry Program.

Anglican Heritage 1
Designed for students in the Anglican Studies program, Anglican Heritage 1 focuses on the major aspects of the development of the institutional and spiritual life of the Anglican Church and Anglican tradition. The course begins by exploring the life and thought of the development of Anglicanism and follows through to the Church’s response to the social, political, and intellectual challenges of the modern period. The second half of the course explores the history of Christian church music and introduces the Anglican musical traditions with a particular focus on the information and skills needed for liturgical officiating.

Anglican Heritage 2
Designed for students in the Anglican Studies program, Anglican Heritage 2 focuses upon the Anglican theological tradition. The course begins by addressing the various approaches of Anglicans throughout history concerning the Fathers, Councils and Creeds of the Early Church, and then addresses the relationship of Scripture, Tradition and Reason as developed and balanced in classic Anglican Theology. The second half of this course addresses modern Anglican Theology. The focus here is upon reading several key 19th and 20th century Anglican Theologians.

Ascetical Theology 1
Introduction to Christian Spirituality
This course introduces students to the theology and historical foundations of Ascetical Theology. It includes consideration of the doctrine of salvation and the human person, foundational elements of Christian spirituality, and an overview of key personalities and movements within the universal Christian tradition up to the Reformation. The course examines these matters with regards to the Anglican spiritual tradition past and present.

Ascetical Theology 2
Spirituality for Ministry
This course will continue to study the history of Christian spirituality from the Reformation onwards, with special attention given to “English spirituality.” The second half of the course is focused on priesthood and Christian spirituality in ministry; in particular the priest’s role as spiritual guide and confessor.

Biblical Exegesis
This course intends to lead students into the deep study of Scripture. While it follows the same basic approach as all Nashotah House biblical courses, this class will give students the opportunity to apply techniques covered previously by examining a few passages of the Bible in more depth than was possible in the survey courses. Practice on informed reading of Scripture and the choice of appropriate commentaries will be two of the main foci of the course. This course seeks to help the student express and develop an integrated and honest hermeneutical approach to interpretation of the Bible.

Church History 1
Patristic, Medieval, and Reformation Church History
A survey of Christian history from the Apostolic Fathers through the 16th century reform movements. Attention is given to major aspects of the development of the institutional, spiritual, and theological life of the Church.

Church History 2
Modern Church History
The life and thought of the Christian Church in the modern age (1600-1990). Special focus on the development of Anglicanism and the Christian response to the social, political, and intellectual challenges of the modern period.

Church History 3
American Church History
This course examines the pluralistic nature of the religious scene in America and the manner in which it has influenced national and cultural developments. It is hoped that historical insight into this country’s past religious experience will provide a perspective from which to view and consider the challenges of contemporary life and ministry. The course also focuses on movements and personalities within the Anglican/Episcopal tradition and seeks to consider the strengths and weaknesses of this heritage.

Church Music 1
This course explores the history of Christian church music and introduces basic musical skills necessary for liturgical officiating. Each student is expected to become proficient in reading music, chanting, pointing collects and lessons, and an appropriate level of keyboard ability. The development of liturgical music from the early church to the present provides the framework for examining plainsong, Anglican chant, psalmody, and hymnody. Liturgical and musical terms are learned in their historical context. Scripture reading during services is also discussed.

Ethics and Moral Theology 1
Ethics and Fundamental Moral Theology
This course provides an introduction to the foundations of a contemporary Anglican approach to Moral Theology, or “Christian Ethics.” Primary attention is given to an exploration of basic Christian moral principles, and the course includes reflection upon the scope and purpose of moral theology, the importance for moral theology of the basic structure of Christian Doctrine, and the consequences for moral theology of various alternatives in theoretical or philosophical ethics. The course concludes with two short units, one on the use of Scripture in ethics, the other on moral principles and public policy that prepare students to approach specific issues in ethics, in EMT 2

Ethics and Moral Theology 2
Moral Theology and Contemporary Issues
In this course students take the basic principles of Christian moral theology acquired in EMT 1 and apply them to five main groups of issues in contemporary ethics. The historical treatment of various issues in the Christian and wider ethical tradition provides a backdrop for the class’s consideration of moral questions, and specific reference is made to General Convention resolutions and other ecclesiastical documents.

Greek 1
The Greek New Testament
This course provides an introduction to Koine Greek as found in the New Testament. The goals are for the student to obtain a rudimentary knowledge of New Testament Greek grammar, to be able to use the Greek New Testament, lexicons, theological dictionaries, and commentaries as preparation for homiletical work, and to prepare the student for more advanced courses in New Testament exegesis.

Greek 2
This is the second required course in Koine Greek. This course focuses upon translation and vocabulary skills. Daily translation exercises are taken from the Gospels of John and Mark. Daily vocabulary assignments help the student build an essential vocabulary for rapid reading of the Greek New Testament. Greek 1 is a prerequisite for Greek 2.

Hebrew 1
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew
This course is designed to give students an introductory-level acquaintance to biblical Hebrew. The goal of the course is, in conjunction with Hebrew 2, to bring students to a basic level of proficiency in reading simple Hebrew narrative texts. By the end of the course students should be able to work with the basics of Hebrew grammar well enough to start reading some simple biblical passages.

Hebrew 2
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II
This course begins where Hebrew 1 ends. Continued work on the more complex grammar of the Hebrew language, beginning work on syntax, and initial steps of translation will be addressed. By the end of this course students should be able to work with the basic tools of Hebrew study to translate narrative sections of the Bible on their own.

Historical Theology 1
History of Christian Thought (1): Patristic and Early Medieval
This is the first of two courses in historical theology. Historical Theology 1 focuses on the historical and philosophical development of Christian doctrine from the second through the twelfth centuries. Major attention is given to the development of the Apostles’ and Niceno-Constatinopolitan Creeds, the theology of the first seven ecumenical councils, and the doctrines related to Christology, Trinity, sin, nature, and redemption in the patristic period. The course concludes with theological developments related to faith and reason in the early medieval period.

Historical Theology 2
History of Christian Thought (II): Late Medieval, Reformation, and Modern
This course is the second half of a two-part introduction to the history of Christian thought. It surveys the history of Christian theology from the thirteenth to the twentieth century covering the Late Medieval, Reformation and Counter Reformation, Enlightenment, and Modern periods. This course seeks to understand how certain figures, movements, and controversies have helped to shape the development of Christian theology in general, and Anglican theology in particular. Special attention is given to key works of Anglican theology.

Homiletics 1
Principles of Preaching
An introduction to the craft of sermon preparation and delivery. The significance of preaching, the importance of exegetical research, and the value of image, story, and metaphor in proclaiming the Gospel are emphasized. Students do a number of practical exercises to develop the different skills necessary for good preaching.

Homiletics 2
Experience in Preaching
An intensive laboratory experience in the preparation and delivery of sermons. Students are encourage to develop their preaching skills in a variety of different homiletical formats and liturgical contexts.

Liturgy 1
The History of Christian Worship
This course is an exploration of the liturgical tradition beginning with the Jewish antecedents. The purpose of the course is not simply to learn historical data, but to relate the tradition to its theological and pastoral context. The course is designed to provide a foundation for subsequent course work in liturgy.

Liturgy 2
Pastoral Liturgy
The goal of this course is to integrate previous study within the task of planning and leading parish worship. All the sacraments and rites of the Book of Common Prayer are explicated with regards to their use in the parish while keeping in mind their historical and theological dimensions.

New Testament 1
Introduction to the New Testament: Jesus and the Gospels
The first course in the writings of the New Testament surveys the historical, religious, and social world of the New Testament, and introduces various critical and literary-theological methods for the study of the New Testament in general. The Gospels are then surveyed in terms of content, literary structure, critical issues, and theological emphasis. The underlying aim is to gain an understanding of the four unique portraits of Jesus provided in the canonical Gospels. The course also examines the development of the Christology of the New Testament and the modern debates about and constructs of a Historical Jesus as opposed to the Real Jesus of the four canonical portraits.

New Testament 2
Introduction to the New Testament: From Acts to Revelation
Beginning with the Acts of the Apostles, each of the non-Gospel writings of the New Testament is introduced and surveyed in terms of content, literary structure, critical issues, and theological emphases. The course also examines the life, theology, and soteriology of Paul, and the development of the kerygma, incipient creedal formulae, ministry and sacraments in the New Testament.

Old Testament 1
Introduction to the Old Testament I
This course provides a general introduction to issues and concepts necessary to begin study of the Hebrew Bible, followed by an introduction to the books Genesis through 2 Kings. The purpose of the course is to offer a basic introduction to the contents of these books and to explore general exegetical questions about each book. A thematic overview of each book will be presented. This information should assist the student in using various tools for the interpretation of Scripture.

Old Testament 2
Introduction to the Old Testament II
Continuing the thematic exploration of the Hebrew Bible from Hebrew Bible 1, this course presents a basic introduction to the remaining books of Isaiah through 2 Chronicles (the Masoretic order of the books). As with the previous course, exegetical and thematic issues for each book will be addressed. A brief introduction to the Deuterocanonical literature will also be included.

Parish Ministry Field Placement
This required component of Nashotah House’s Master of Divinity program consists of three terms, usually in a parish, under the supervision of a seminary-approved priest/mentor. All such placements are made in consultation with and with the approval of the Director of Field Education. Parish-based Field Education does not earn academic credit.

Parish Ministry 1
The Calling, Character and Life of the Priest
This course examines (1) the vocation of the Church in the purposes of God, (2) the relationship between the ministry of the ordained and that of other Christians, (3) the development of and justification for Catholic Order, (4) the specific tasks of the ordained ministry in the Church’s mission, (5) the character of the priestly life and each student’s identity as it relates to that life.

Parish Ministry 2
The Priest as Shepard and Teacher
This course examines (1) the ways in which some of the great pastors in Christian history have rooted Pastoral Care in the Christian revelation, (2) models for relating the insights of the behavioral sciences to the Catholic Faith, (3) approaches to the most common problems brought to the priest for advice and counsel, (4) the role of the priest in establishing the boundaries for Christian teaching in a parish and (5) available Church School curricula and the criteria for evaluating them.

Parish Ministry 3
The Priest as Leader of the Church in Mission
This course prepares senior seminarians for the work of the priest in the day-to-day leadership of a parish church or for serving on a parish clergy staff. Attention will be given to (1) the office of Rector, (2) the relationship between Rector and Vestry as well as that between Rector and Assisting clergy, (3) models for parish governance, (4) the dynamics affecting leadership in parishes of different sizes, (5) steps necessary to protecting ministries from attack, (6) connecting parishes in the Church’s worldwide mission, (7) ethical issues in ministry, (8) the response of ordained leaders to Postmodern culture and (9) matters relating to beginning and ending ministries in a congregation.

Parish Ministry 4
Ordained Ministry in the Anglican Tradition
This course is designed for (1) students in the one-year M.Div. completion program and (2) students pursuing a Certificate in Anglican Studies. It examines the place of the ordained ministry in the mission of the Church, the development of and justification for Catholic Order, the Canon Law of the Episcopal Church with particular attention to that portion of it applying to the ordained, leadership of congregations of different sizes and settings, the protecting of ministries from attack and various other issues of ministerial ethics.

Systematic Theology 1
This course is the first half of a two-part introduction to Christian theology. This course is designed to give the student an overview of particular Christian doctrines from their biblical foundations through their historical developments to their modern expressions. It will examine what the Church believes, teaches, and confesses on the basis of the Word of God about Divine Revelation, Scripture, Reason, Tradition, Faith, God the Father, Creation, the Fall, the Trinity, the person of Jesus Christ, and the person of the Holy Spirit. Particular attention will be given to how Anglicans have understood and received these doctrines of the Christian faith and the role they play in the life of the individual and the Church.

Systematic Theology 2
This course is the second half of a two-part introduction to Christian theology. The course is designed to give the student an overview of particular Christian doctrines from their biblical foundations through their historical developments to their modern expressions. It will examine what the Church believes, teaches, and confesses on the basis of the Word of God about Original Sin, Anthropology, Salvation (justification, sanctification, and glorification), Grace, the Church, the Sacraments, and the Last Things. Particular attention will be given to how Anglicans have understood and received these doctrines of the Christian faith and the role they play in the life of the individual and the Church.

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Ascetical Theology 13
The Spirituality of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon England
The course will explore the history of both the Celtic and Anglo-Saxon saints; more importantly, their writings and experiences will be discussed with a view of asking what can be learned from them today.

Ascetical Theology 15
Christian Spirituality in the Later Middle Ages
This course will be a pilgrimage through the great landmarks of Christian spirituality in the western church from the time of Charlemagne (c. 800) to the eve of the Reformation (c. 1500). Some landmarks are:

• The Benedictine Tradition
• Franciscan and Dominican Devotions
• The English Mystics of the 14th Century
• The last flowering of piety in the lay spirituality of the Beguines and Thomas a Kempis

Ascetical Theology 17
Christian Spirituality from the Reformation to the Modern Era
Beginning with Thomas a Kempis and continuing through Reformation authors such as Martin Luther, Thomas Cranmer and John Calvin, we will explore how Reformation ideals were transformed into various spiritual methods. The course will conclude with a discussion of such modern authors as Thomas Merton, Henry Nouwen, and Michael Ramsey.

Church Music 10
Anglican Choral Tradition
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the standard repertoire of the Anglican Choral Tradition and its relationship to the music in The Hymnal 1982. Choral works will be presented within their historical context; architecture, liturgical practices, and musical advancements influencing the composers of each selected period, will be explored. The class will consist of lectures, videos, and assigned reading and listening. The final grade will be determined by 4 quizzes (40%) and a final exam (60%). Quizzes will include terms, names, and events. The final exam will be drawn partly from quiz material plus two essays and a listening section.

Cross-cultural Immersion Experience
This optional participation in a short-term mission is designed to “immerse” students in a cultural setting radically different from their own and thus provide insights into the nature of culture as a phenomenon. The usual length of such a program is two to three weeks. Three credits can be granted for this experience if it is accompanied by mastery of a related reading list, a post-experience reflection paper and a subsequent seminar.

Liturgy 10
Sacramental Theology
The Catechism of the Church defines the sacraments as “outward and visible sighs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” But how are we to understand the nature of the grace conferred, or the processes by which it is conferred? Furthermore, what relationship do the visible signs have to do with what they convey? The goals of this course are:

1. To provide the student with both an historical and theoretical grounding in the definition and exercise of the sacraments.
2. To explore the relationship of the sacraments to the process of sanctification To elucidate the importance of the sacraments in the life of the Church
3. Students will also be exposed to insights which have enriched contemporary theology from other disciplines, especially anthropology, psychology and ritual studies.

Parish Ministry 14
Loving and Leading the Small Congregation
Though more than half of the Episcopal Churches in the United States have fewer than 100 persons in church on an average Sunday, many of the priests now serving them or likely to do so in the near future have had little or no exposure to the significant research on the relational dynamics predictable in such congregations. This course examines that research in a determined attempt to prevent or attack the unnecessary discouragement, frustration and joyless ministry experienced by many priests in small congregations.

Teaching Parish Program
This optional summer placement in a parish is normally taken during the summer after the Middle Year and earns six credits. Placement is made after consultation with the Director of Field Education. The program includes about 240 hours of work in the designated parish, mastery of a related reading list, a post-placement reflection paper and a subsequent seminar.

Click here for a printable list of courses offered.