Introductory formation in Orthodox faith, Scripture, worship, Church history, and spiritual life. Electives are chosen from the Electives Library.

• BTH 1001 — Foundations of Orthodox Theology (3)
  Introduces Orthodox doctrine and Tradition, key terms of dogmatics, and the Church’s theological method rooted in worship and the Fathers.
• BIB 1002 — Introduction to Holy Scripture (3)
  Overview of Old and New Testaments, canon, inspiration, and Orthodox interpretation as received in the Church’s liturgical life.
• CHH 1003 — Introduction to Church History (3)
  Surveys apostolic era, early persecution, councils, and the growth of Orthodox Christian civilization, including Ethiopian heritage introduction.
• GEZ 1004 — Introduction to Ge’ez (3)
  Introduces Ge’ez alphabet, pronunciation, core vocabulary, and basic reading skills using common prayers and worship texts.
• SPF 1005 — Spiritual Life I (2)
  Orthodox spiritual foundations: prayer rule, fasting discipline, repentance, confession, virtues, and participation in the sacramental life.
• ELC 1006 — Elective (2–4)
  Choose approved electives from the Electives Library (examples: Zema intro, Saints, Apologetics, Biblical themes).

Structured preparation for deeper theological understanding and church service. Electives are selected from the Electives Library.

Year 1

• TH 2101 — Orthodox Dogmatics I (3)
  God, revelation, Tradition, and the Orthodox confession of faith; catechetical clarity and doctrinal foundations.
• BIB 2102 — Scripture Survey I (3)
  Guided survey of key biblical books with Orthodox interpretation and links to worship and doctrine.
• CHH 2103 — Ethiopian Church History I (3)
  Origins, saints, monasticism, and development of the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition in historical context.
• GEZ 2104 — Ge’ez I (3)
  Grammar basics and reading exercises using prayers, hymns, and liturgical lines.
• LIT 2105 — Liturgy I (3)
  Intro to Orthodox worship, services, sacraments, rubrics foundations, and the theology of prayer.
• SPF 2106 — Spiritual Formation I (2)
  Spiritual disciplines for church servants: prayer, fasting, obedience, humility, and practical spiritual growth.
• ZEM 2107 — Zema I (2)
  Introduction to Ethiopian Orthodox chant tradition: basic modes, structure, and practical participation.

Year 2

• TH 2201 — Theology of the Trinity (3)
  Orthodox Trinitarian doctrine grounded in Scripture, Fathers, and liturgical confession.
• CAN 2202 — Canon Law I (3)
  Canonical order, church discipline principles, and pastoral application in parish life.
• GEZ 2203 — Ge’ez II (3)
  Expanded grammar and reading; translation practice using liturgical and devotional texts.
• ZEM 2204 — Zema II (2)
  Continuing chant training with expanded repertoire and disciplined practice under guidance.
• LIT 2205 — Liturgy II (3)
  Liturgical theology and rubrics: feasts, fasting seasons, services, and parish application.
• SPF 2206 — Spiritual Formation II (2)
  Deepening ascetical life: virtues, spiritual warfare, repentance, guidance, and service integrity.
• ELC 2299 — Electives (3–6)
  Advisor-approved electives from the Electives Library supporting ministry focus (Bible, Theology, Patristics, Liturgy, Ge’ez, Pastoral).

Semester-by-semester outline (15 credits per semester). Electives are selected from the Electives Library.

Elective Option: With advisor approval, 3 credits may be substituted with an elective from the Electives Library.

Full 4-year curriculum (representative sequencing). Courses may be scheduled by semester based on readiness. Electives are selected from the Electives Library.

Semester-by-semester outline (approximately 13–14 credits per semester). Course sequencing may be adjusted. Practicum credits may vary by placement. Electives (if approved) come from the Electives Library.

Advanced coursework combined with supervised research and thesis writing. Electives (if used) come from the Electives Library.

Ecclesiastical doctoral program for advanced theological scholarship, teaching, and leadership formation. Includes seminars, research methodology, proposal development, dissertation research, and defense.

Th.D. Required Courses (8100–8990 Level)

• THD 8101 — Doctoral Seminar: Advanced Orthodox Dogmatics (3)
  Seminar in advanced dogmatics with major patristic sources; research papers and oral presentations.
• THD 8102 — Doctoral Seminar: Patristic Theology & Fathers (3)
  Primary-text reading in Fathers; doctrinal synthesis and seminar leadership.
• THD 8103 — Doctoral Seminar: Canon Law & Church Order (3)
  Advanced canonical cases and ecclesiastical governance; research applied to pastoral realities.
• THD 8104 — Doctoral Seminar: Liturgical Theology (3)
  Liturgical theology and sacramental practice studied as doctrinal confession; major research paper.
• THD 8105 — Doctoral Seminar: Pastoral Leadership (3)
  Leadership theology, pastoral administration, formation, and ecclesial accountability; project design.
• THD 8201 — Theological Research Methods (3)
  Doctoral research design, sources, archival strategies, annotated bibliography, and methodological rigor.
• THD 8202 — Academic Writing & Publication (3)
  Doctoral-level writing, argumentation, citation systems, peer review process, and publication readiness.
• THD 8301 — Comprehensive Exams (0)
  Written/oral exams covering core fields: dogmatics, Scripture interpretation, Fathers, liturgy, canon law.
• THD 8401 — Dissertation Proposal (3)
  Proposal with question, literature review, methodology, outline, and reading list; committee approval required.
• THD 8501 — Dissertation Research I (6)
  Supervised research and chapter drafting with periodic committee review.
• THD 8601 — Dissertation Research II (6)
  Continued writing, argument development, and integration of Orthodox sources.
• THD 8701 — Dissertation Writing Seminar (3)
  Peer review, chapter workshops, and writing discipline under faculty direction.
• THD 8801 — Dissertation Defense Preparation (3)
  Final revisions, formatting compliance, defense rehearsals, and submission readiness.
• THD 8991 — Dissertation & Oral Defense (6)
  Final dissertation submission and oral defense before committee; completion requirements enforced.

Highest academic degree for theological scholarship, teaching, and senior leadership. Includes doctoral seminars, language/research tools as needed, comprehensive exams, proposal, dissertation research, and defense.

• PHD 8101 — Doctoral Research Seminar I (3)
  Research design, advanced bibliography building, and doctoral writing discipline for scholarly contribution.
• PHD 8102 — Patristic Texts Seminar (3)
  Primary patristic texts with critical analysis; seminar papers grounded in Orthodox tradition.
• PHD 8103 — Advanced Exegesis Seminar (3)
  Advanced exegesis with Orthodox hermeneutics and patristic commentary patterns.
• PHD 8104 — Ethiopian Theological Systems (3)
  Study of Ethiopian Orthodox theological expression, sources, and historical development.
• PHD 8201 — Research Language / Tools (0–6)
  As needed: Ge’ez research reading, related languages, or research tool modules for dissertation competence.
• PHD 8301 — Comprehensive Exams (0)
  Doctoral comprehensive examinations covering core fields and dissertation concentration.
• PHD 8401 — Dissertation Proposal (3)
  Proposal with research question, literature review, methodology, and chapter plan; committee approval required.
• PHD 8501 — Doctoral Dissertation I (9)
  Supervised dissertation research and writing; chapters submitted for committee review.
• PHD 8601 — Doctoral Dissertation II (9)
  Continued dissertation writing with argument refinement and source integration.
• PHD 8701 — Doctoral Dissertation III (9)
  Advanced drafting, revisions, and committee feedback cycles; publication-ready writing encouraged.
• PHD 8991 — Dissertation & Oral Defense (6)
  Final submission and oral defense before committee; doctoral standards and formatting enforced.

Electives are approved courses students choose in addition to required core courses. Electives must be selected from this library and approved by the Academic Dean/Advisor. Search works on elective descriptions too.

Biblical Studies Electives (BI)

• BI 3201 — Wisdom Literature (3)
  Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and wisdom themes; Orthodox interpretation and spiritual application.
• BI 3202 — Major Prophets (3)
  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel; messianic prophecy and doctrinal themes in the Church.
• BI 3203 — Minor Prophets (3)
  The Twelve; covenant faithfulness, repentance, and prophetic witness.
• BI 3204 — Psalms (3)
  Psalms in prayer and liturgy; theological themes and Orthodox spiritual reading.
• BI 3205 — Gospel of Matthew (3)
  Kingdom theology, discipleship, and patristic commentary on Matthew.
• BI 3206 — Gospel of John (3)
  High Christology, signs, and sacramental themes; Fathers and liturgical use.
• BI 3207 — Acts of the Apostles (3)
  Apostolic Church life, mission, and pastoral patterns for the Church today.
• BI 3208 — Pauline Theology (3)
  Key Pauline themes: grace, faith, Church, salvation; Orthodox interpretive tradition.

Theology Electives (TH)

• TH 3301 — Christology (3)
  Person and work of Christ; councils, Fathers, and Orthodox confession.
• TH 3302 — Pneumatology (3)
  Holy Spirit in Scripture, Tradition, sanctification, and Church life.
• TH 3303 — Ecclesiology (3)
  Nature of the Church, sacraments, authority, unity, and mission in Orthodox tradition.
• TH 3304 — Anthropology & Salvation (3)
  Human nature, fall, healing, and salvation as theosis in Orthodox theology.
• TH 3305 — Eschatology (3)
  Death, judgment, resurrection, and the Kingdom; Orthodox teaching and liturgy.
• TH 3306 — Theology of the Holy Trinity (3)
  Trinitarian doctrine from Scripture and Fathers; worship confession and pastoral teaching.

Patristic Studies Electives (PT)

• PT 3401 — St. Athanasius (3)
  Athanasius on Incarnation and Trinity; doctrinal defense and spirituality.
• PT 3402 — St. Cyril of Alexandria (3)
  Christology and union; patristic method and council context.
• PT 3403 — St. John Chrysostom (3)
  Preaching theology and moral teaching; pastoral applications and homiletics.
• PT 3404 — Desert Fathers (3)
  Sayings and lives; ascetical wisdom for spiritual formation.
• PT 3405 — Patristic Anthropology (3)
  Human person, passions, healing, and virtue in the Fathers.

Liturgical & Zema Electives (LT / ZM)

• LT 3501 — Divine Liturgy Commentary (3)
  Line-by-line theological commentary on liturgy; rubrics, symbols, and meaning.
• LT 3502 — Sacramental Theology II (3)
  Advanced sacramental theology and pastoral practice; preparation and discipline.
• ZM 3503 — Advanced Zema Theory (3)
  Modes, structure, and theological meaning of chant; practice expectations.
• ZM 3504 — Chant Practicum (3)
  Supervised chant participation with graded attendance, preparation, and proficiency checks.

Ge’ez Language Electives (GE)

• GE 3601 — Ge’ez Reading (3)
  Reading fluency development with prayers and liturgical texts.
• GE 3602 — Ge’ez Syntax (3)
  Intermediate syntax, grammar, and translation drills for academic reading.
• GE 3603 — Patristic Ge’ez Texts (3)
  Guided reading of Ge’ez theological texts; vocabulary building and interpretation.
• GE 3604 — Liturgical Translations (3)
  Translation practice for liturgical lines; accuracy, style, and theological fidelity.

Pastoral & Ministry Electives (PS / MN)

• PS 3701 — Pastoral Counseling (3)
  Orthodox pastoral counseling foundations: listening, guidance, boundaries, and referrals.
• PS 3702 — Parish Administration (3)
  Operations, leadership systems, finance basics, records, and responsible governance.
• PS 3703 — Youth Ministry (3)
  Orthodox youth formation: teaching methods, family cooperation, and program design.
• PS 3704 — Marriage & Family Ministry (3)
  Pastoral care for families: marriage preparation, counseling basics, and Church teaching.
• MN 3705 — Prison Ministry (3)
  Orthodox pastoral service in correctional settings; ethics, safety, and sacramental care principles.
• MN 3706 — Hospital Chaplaincy (3)
  Ministry to the sick: visitation practice, grief care, prayer, and pastoral presence.

Research & Academic Skills Electives (RS)

• RS 3801 — Academic Writing (3)
  Argument structure, citations, style, and theological writing craft.
• RS 3802 — Theological Research (3)
  Sources, research strategies, annotated bibliography, and methodology basics.
• RS 3803 — Thesis Preparation (3)
  Proposal writing, thesis outlines, committee expectations, and defense readiness basics.