Parents
How do I prepare my child for LCC? I don’t even know where to start.
Start by teaching the faith. Read the Bible to your children. Go to a faithful, confessional, liturgical church. Teach them Luther’s Small Catechism. Teach your children Christian virtue and Lutheran piety.
How do I teach this faith and piety at home?
Remain in God’s Word and let it shape your life and that of your family. Lead by example to your children. Read Scripture with them. Memorize the catechism with them. Sing hymns with them. Call out sin for what it is and show the love of Christ to all.
Are there any books I should read with my kids or have them read to get ready?
There is a pretty good chance that if you are asking this question your kids have already had some exposure to the kinds of books they will read at LCC. The Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and a good hymnal are foundational. After that, the simple answer is if it is a good book, read it. However, if you need a list, here is a short list of authors of which your kids can read some or all: Homer, Shakespeare, Dante, St Augustine, Martin Luther, the Greek historians, Plato, Aristotle, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Dostoyevsky, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, etc. If you want a more comprehensive and detailed reading list, please get in contact with us.
Academics
What degrees do you offer?
We offer both B.A. and A.A. degrees.
Are there majors and minors?
No, all LCC students major in the Classical Lutheran Liberal Arts. There are distinct tracks that students can pursue.
What are the various tracks a student can pursue?
1. General Track (A.A., B.A.): The goal of the General Track is to provide students with a curriculum in Lutheran theology and the classical liberal arts, instilling a passion for family life, deepening one’s appreciation for the church, and cultivating a broad skill set appropriate for many careers.
2. Trade Partnership Track (A.A.): The goal of the A.A. Trade Partnership Track is to prepare students for a variety of vocations and includes training in a skilled trade through relationships with other colleges and businesses. This track is designed to work in conjunction with either an A.A.S. trade school degree or else non-degree trade certificate program at a partnership trade college.
3. Pre-Seminary Track (B.A.): The goal of the B.A. Pre-Seminary Track is to prepare students spiritually, morally, and intellectually for enrollment at a confessional Lutheran theological seminary in preparation for ordination into the pastoral office. The same coursework also may be completed as a Biblical Languages Track that trains students in Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek for personal spiritual edification and potential applications in various lay vocations.
4. Teacher Certification Track (B.A.): The goal of the B.A. Teacher Certification Track is to prepare students to teach in classical Lutheran schools through pursuit of the certification requirements of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education.
5. Parish Music Track (B.A.): The goal of the B.A. Parish Music Track is to prepare students to support the church musically with vocal and instrumental music, instrumental accompaniment, conducting, composition, arrangement, and the fostering of congregational part-singing
What if I am not considering a career in the church, but I want to go into law, medicine, nursing, science, architecture, engineering, etc.? Is LCC for me?
Yes, LCC is for you, and you probably would want to select the General Track. First, the unique and rigorous studies at LCC will make you a highly attractive candidate to graduate programs. Second, LCC will prepare you to sort through the good and evil in your postgraduate studies. Thirdly, by giving you a firm foundation in the Scriptures and the Classics, you will be able to carry out your career and serve your fellow man with the excellence of Aristotle and the compassion of Christ.
What partnerships does LCC have for its Trade Partnership Track?
LCC has partnerships with Casper College and the Tarkio Technology Institute.
Which trades are eligible for the Trade Partnership Track?
You are welcome to pursue a certificate from one of our partner schools in any field which they offer one. We highly recommend electrical, plumbing, HVAC, diesel mechanic, bookkeeping, practical nursing, etc. Some great pathways to home-based businesses include certificates in entrepreneurship, marketing, paralegal, web design, etc.
Is Casper College accredited?
Yes, Casper College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Several discipline-specific accreditations are also held.
What if my main aspiration is to be a godly wife and mother? Should I come to LCC?
Yes, LCC is a great place for you. Your work in these godly vocations will be the foundation of your children’s education. LCC can prepare you to teach in the home.
What resources are available at the library?
There are a large number of printed, audio/visual, and digital materials necessary to support coursework and research projects. Students will also have access to the LCMS Wyoming District Library. Preparations are underway to provide students and faculty access to additional resources through Casper-area libraries as well as inter-library loan services with other libraries. The online catalog is searchable by author, subject, title, and LCC course name, e.g. “HIS 132.”
Can I test out of certain classes?
Yes, with admission will come a Latin Placement Exam, which can allow you to start at more advanced levels of Latin. There will be similar options for Greek and Hebrew. Due to the unique nature of LCC’s curriculum, LCC generally does not allow you to bypass core liberal arts classes. AP and CLEP exams as well as transfer credits from other institutions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the registrar.
How will Latin be taught?
The emphasis will be on reading aloud together in class to check for comprehension. Much of the classes will be spent on reading and discussing texts with the professor providing immediate feedback and guidance. Ultimately, LCC students will be able to think, converse, and write in Latin.
Does LCC have a favored pronunciation of Latin?
LCC’s staff is still debating a favoured pronunciation or spelling of English. We come from a variety of backgrounds and bring different accents. We have a South African on the board of regents, the president is a Canadian, several staff members are Minnesotans, and the Dean of Students is from the West Coast but writes in British English. Likewise, there are a variety of approaches to the pronunciation of Latin that follow a variety of academic traditions (the same goes for Greek). Generally speaking, LCC professors will follow the classical pronunciation of Latin, while ecclesiastical Latin will be favored in music.
Finances
What is the cost of tuition?
$8,500 per year.
What is the cost of LCC housing?
$1,750 per semester for room, or, if one chooses to participate in the Homestay program with room and board, $3,000 per semester.
How much will books cost?
$785.86 for year one, which is 35% less than $1,215 average for first year books assigned at private universities in the USA.
Will scholarships be available?
Yes, LCC offers scholarships. Please visit our financial aid page.
Will LCC offer student loans?
No. In order to preserve our freedom, LCC does not take federal funding and will not provide federal student loans.
Admissions
Must a student be Lutheran to attend LCC?
Yes, a student must be a member in good standing with a Lutheran congregation that holds and teaches the Bible to be the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God. For example, the home congregation would be a part of a confessional Lutheran synod like the LCMS, ELS, or WELS.
Do I need a transcript to apply?
Yes, either a transcript or its equivalent. LCC welcomes custom-made homeschool transcripts. Homeschool transcripts will be considered official transcripts when emailed directly from the parent to admissions@lutherclassical.org or mailed directly from the parent to Luther Classical College Admissions, 2300 Hickory St., Casper, WY 82604.
Do I need a certain standardized test score to be admitted?
No, there is no fixed minimum score. However, students who score among the upper 25% of test takers, generally corresponding to 78+ on the CLT, 25+ on the ACT, or 1200+ on the SAT will be given priority consideration. High scores are also rewarded by LCC’s academic merit scholarship.
Does a prospective student who has completed prior college courses need standardized test scores to be admitted?
No. If a student has earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher for 12 or more credits from an accredited college or university, no standardized test score is required. However, LCC still encourages that applicant to submit a score for priority admission and the LCC Academic Merit Scholarship.
Do I need to know Latin?
Yes and no. Students in the A.A. Trade Partnership track do not need to know or take Latin. In all other programs, students need to be proficient in Wheelock’s Latin or its equivalent by the first semester.
Do I have to go through a classical curriculum to come to LCC?
No. Students from all educational backgrounds can come to LCC. In fact, if you did not go through a classical curriculum, your experience at LCC will have an extra layer of wonder and discovery as you experience classical Lutheran education for the first time.
But I will not be proficient in Wheelock’s Latin or its equivalent by the first semester. Should I not bother with applying?
Who said you would not be proficient by the first semester? LCC offers a summer bridge course in Latin to prepare you for the first semester of studies. We also provide other resources, please contact us for details.
Are there other Latin curricula besides Wheelock’s and Henle that suitable for passing the Latin test?
Yes, we mention these two resources because they are the most commonly used by our prospective students. There are many suitable substitutes. Students need to master all noun declensions, verb conjugations, and the fundamentals of grammar.
Do I have to write essays to apply?
Yes, you must write two 500-word essays. The first will be about your theological confession. The second will be about your appreciation for the classical liberal arts tradition. See the Apply page on the LCC website for more information.
Does the application process include an interview?
Yes. There will be a friendly, supportive interview because we want to get to know you and we want you to have the opportunity to ask us questions.
Is a gap year a good idea?
It depends on you and your situation. For some students taking a gap year can make it harder to continue where one left off from high school. For other students, a gap year can be a great opportunity for personal growth and provide time to improve one’s academic abilities and financial savings.
Does LCC accept transfer credits?
See page 66 of the academic catalog for more information.
Housing
What are the housing options at LCC?
The Westwood Hills Apartments, the LCC Homestay Program, and campus housing. The Westwood Hills Apartment is a student residence managed exclusively by Luther Classical College exclusively for LCC students.
Will men and women be housed together or in separate housing units?
Men and women will be housed in separate, gender-specific houses.
How many genders are there?
Two: male and female as God created them.
Is it wholesome and Christian for men and women to study together?
Yes. Although, God created men and women differently and gave them distinct vocations, both bear the same image of God and have intellects to be satisfied, instructed, and redeemed. There are some situations and topics where it is better for men and women to study only with mentors and peers of their own gender to better prepare them for their distinctive roles. LCC will often group men and women together, but occasionally separate them as appropriate.
Will there be married student housing?
There are no units specifically designated for married student housing. However, married students may make their own housing arrangements or inquire whether LCC can provide housing leads.
Am I required to live in LCC housing?
There is no policy requiring this. You are welcome to make your own housing arrangements if you wish. You are encouraged to live in LCC housing, as it provides two distinct advantages. 1. The cost is lower than the citywide average. 2. You will have a more optimal campus experience as you will naturally be plugged into the campus community.
How much does it cost to live in LCC housing?
$1,750 per semester, regardless of whether you are staying in the Westwood Hills Apartments, Homestay Program, or campus housing. You do not have to pay for utilities. If you choose to have room and board in the homestay program, then the cost is $3,000 per semester.
Will the apartments be furnished?
Yes, the apartments will be fully furnished, including bed frames and mattresses. You will need to bring bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, etc.
Student Life
Will I need a car?
Not necessarily. Cars are convenient but not required. There are plenty of conveniences within a 5- to 10-minute walk from campus.
Will I have to pay for parking?
No.
Is Casper a safe place to live?
Casper consistently ranks among one of the safest places to live in the USA. In 2024 WalletHub ranked Casper as the second safest city in America.
Will there be food available on campus?
No. LCC will not have any cafeteria facilities, but there will be places where you can heat up a meal. This has several advantages: First, it keeps costs down. Second, it allows you to cater to your dietary needs. Third, cooking will be a natural way to make conversation and build friendships. Instant conversation starter: you can always ask for recipes or advice.
Where will chapel be held?
For the first academic year, chapel will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Institutional Identity
What is LCC’s relationship with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod?
LCC is a confessional Lutheran college founded by a Board of Regents under the sponsorship of Mount Hope Lutheran Church of Casper, Wyoming, which belongs to the Wyoming District of the LCMS. All members of the Board come from LCMS congregations. The president of the Wyoming District and the senior pastor at Mount Hope serve as ex officio members of the board. The Wyoming District Board of Directors will conduct annual visits to supervise the doctrinal integrity of the college. The college is independent of the LCMS’s Concordia University System and is presently neither a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) nor an Educational Service Organization (ESO) of the synod. All faculty members must be members in good standing with LCMS congregations, and LCC receives support from 199 LCMS congregations nationwide. LCC welcomes ongoing discussion with Synodical leaders as more formal relations are explored.
Can an LCC graduate become a called worker within the LCMS?
Eventually. LCC currently does not offer a colloquy program. An LCC graduate can become a called worker in the LCMS after graduation by continuing their education at one of the Synod’s seminaries or by enrolling in a colloquy program offered by an institution in the Concordia University System.
Is LCC accredited?
State and federal law requires that an institution conferring a liberal arts degree be accredited by an agency approved by both the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). LCC is seeking such accreditation in a manner that also protects our mission. LCC is on schedule to open in the Fall of 2025 and, upon submission of a satisfactory application, to be granted approval for conferring an A.A. degree to the first cohort of students in Spring 2027 and a B.A. degree to the first cohort of students in Spring 2029. The college also is actively developing articulation agreements with selected theological seminaries, law schools, and graduate programs to ensure that LCC graduates may pursue advanced degrees at other institutions. Accreditation policies prohibit the disclosure of more specific information until LCC has, in fact, achieved approval. LCC will provide updates as the process continues.
Will I be able to get a job while waiting for LCC to become accredited?
Yes. Jobs are not contingent on the accreditation of a prospective employee’s educational institution. LCC will provide you with the experience and study you need to be an impressive job candidate.
Is LCC an “eligible educational institution” that provides students with IRS Form 1098-T to claim an American Opportunity Tax Credit?
Not yet. We reasonably hope to attain this status by 2026.
Can I use my 529 plan to pay for tuition at LCC?
Please check your state’s requirements and regulations governing your 529 plan.
Is LCC a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational institution?
Yes, LCC is a nonprofit institution and has 501(c)3 status from the IRS. Any gifts to LCC can be claimed as charitable giving on one’s tax return.