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Programs & Curriculum

Programs
Courses
Field Ed

Degree Programs

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Courses Integrating Faith and Service

Black Lives Matter: This course invites students at Iliff to consider the intersection of theological education and the contemporary movement for Black lives as part of a long history of Black struggle for liberation within the United States. Through this class, students are introduced to scholar-activists who have been and continue to be engaged in the movement for Black lives.

Social Media Peace and Justice Praxis: In this praxis participants: 1) explore social media (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, email, podcasts, etc.) as public spaces within which issues of justice and peace are experienced, articulated and debated, where sometimes ephemeral communities are formed to support activism and organize for social change. 2) reflect on their own lives in cyberspaces, and 3) build skills for activist uses of social media.

Identity, Power, and Difference: A signature course at Iliff, this class cultivates students’ ability to engage in social and theological analysis, particularly about social structures, ideologies, and embodied practices that lead to domination or oppression. This course helps students think critically about their own social locations, power and privilege, and what effect these have on their professional and vocational contexts as pastors, educators, and religious and nonprofit community leaders.

Field Education Connecting Faith and Justice:

Iliff’s robust contextual education includes internship placements within congregations, justice ministries, denominational offices, nonprofits, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions, as well as Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) accredited healthcare and community-based Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) sites. Every year Iilff works with students and community leaders to identify the right vocational fit for each intern. This results in both ongoing community partnerships and the development of new internship sites every year in the Rocky Mountain region, across the country, and around the globe.

Current and previous internship sites include: justice-centered ministries like the Presbyterian border ministry Frontera de Cristo, Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and Disciples Net online church, which provides access to people unable to take part in a physical, brick-and-mortar church; nonprofits like Creative Strategies for Change and the Anti-Defamation League; educational institutions like the Compassionate Care Initiative at the University of Virginia School of Nursing; research-based NGOs like the Applied Research Institute in Jerusalem; arts organizations like the Romero Theater Troupe; local congregations committed to inclusivity and justice like Christ Church United Methodist in Denver, Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ in Denver, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boulder, and First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque; and justice-centered church plants emerging out of established congregations.

Iliff interns participate in an innovative thirty-week curriculum that engages students in justice-centered relational organizing leadership methods, and intentional formation of their personal, professional, spiritual, relational, and cultural capacities. Each Internship Seminar is taught by experienced congregational and community leaders who model the connection between faith and justice. The Master of Divinity Journey Program (a combination of online and on-campus learning) allows students to remain rooted in their community of origin. Many MDiv Journey students are involved in community engagement and leadership, and Iliff supports these students to intern and seek justice within their current communities.

Student Engagement

Community
Students
Scholarships

Opportunities for Engagement

The Iliff School of Theology has had a long-standing commitment of providing students with robust opportunities to engage in the world while they are in school. Internship and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) are the two primary curricular opportunities for students to engage the world. In addition, Iliff also offers a variety of practical and justice-focused courses, immersion programs, and supports student-led groups who organize within the community. Many Iliff students also volunteer to get to know their local community, serve a cause they care about, and gain experience in a professional field. Finally, Iliff students are encouraged to integrate their learning into their lived experiences, so that their education becomes embodied and relevant to the world.

Student Senate

The Senate is a representative body of students at the Iliff School of Theology striving to serve the needs of the student community encouraging individual growth, communal ties, and spiritual development. The Senate supports a forum for open and civil communication and acting as a liaison between the student body and faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and trustees.

Iliff Voices in Action

This organization is comprised of students who are interested and concerned about issues of social change, discrimination, hunger, homelessness, oppression, and injustice.

Iliff Queer Coalition

Iliff Queer Coalition (LGBTQA Students and Allies)–Iliff Queer Coalition provides education, social support, and advocacy for LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Allied) concerns. We celebrate the diversity of creation and the integrity of all individuals, while opposing divisive action, language, and attitudes that undermine God’s love.

National Alliance of Pan African Seminarians

To provide social, spiritual, academic and professional support to African American & African seminarians and theologians during their pursuit of education and vocational discernment.

Walking the Talk - Student Engagement

We believe that people make a place, so we asked schools to profile three current students who are engaging major social issues while in seminary.

Q: How are you continuing to engage in the world while in seminary?

Byrdie Harris
MASJE '17

“Iliff School of Theology didn’t turn me into an activist, I was already an activist, and that’s why I chose Iliff.

In a way, Iliff and I have been informing one another these past two years. The community that makes up Iliff has assisted me in fine tuning my call to intersectional social justice as a form of radical ministry in the world. During my time at Iliff, I have worked with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking as their community engagement intern and helped to create a state-wide campaign to end the epidemic of human trafficking in Colorado, while bringing those most marginalized and impacted by human trafficking to the table as the lead voices in the campaign. I have also worked closely with Black Lives Matter 5280, and other racial justice organizations in the Denver Metro Area. Before coming to Iliff, I founded an organization called QTPoC Colorado, which affirms and advocates for Colorado residents who are both people of color as well as on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum of identities. Iliff has encouraged me in this work. The skills I learned during the founding of QTPoC Colorado I brought with me to Iliff as the school’s Queer Coalition president. This fall I will be joining the University of Louisville’s Pan-African studies department as a full-time Ph.D. student and a Diversity and Activism Fellow. Iliff has been integral in preparing me for this next journey, and the staff and faculty at the school have been essential on my journey to finding and claiming my voice in the movement toward radical justice and in identifying teaching, writing, and activism as a ministerial call.”

Piper Ramsey
MDiv Student

“When I first came to Iliff, I felt as if I was just beginning my journey into understanding the ways in which my passion for social justice and total liberation would play out into the world.

Iliff has given me the tools to engage the injustices of the world with empathy, critical thinking, and a drive that will be with me for the rest of my life. In the future, I plan to use my education to create communities that actively resist systems of oppression and power by embodying the love and mercy of Christ. Later this year, I am relocating to a rural southern community in the United States where I intend to begin anti-racist work and creating programs that give aid to impoverished families."

Brandan Robertson
MDiv '17

"I am committed mobilizing the post-evangelical millennials who are committed to the good news of Jesus and want to make an impact for the equality, justice, and inclusion of the most marginalized in our world.

Through my non-profit Nomad Partnerships, we work with major religious leaders around the world to move the dial in denominations and church networks towards inclusion, while also educating and consulting our political and social leaders about the power and importance of the faith perspective to advocate for progressive causes. In May, I was honored to speak at the U.S. Capitol on behalf of LGBT+ inclusion in the Church and society, and in June will be marching in the National Pride March in D.C. with dozens of other LGBT+ faith leaders. In the fall, I am releasing a book called "Our Witness: The Unheard Stories of LGBT+ Christians" which is a volume of edited stories that I have complied from a diverse group of LGBT+ Christians from around the world, raising our voice and witness against the harm of exclusion and the power of the Spirit working in and through our queer lives. Iliff has helped me to harness my passion and vision for a more just and inclusive world and Church, and has fueled my work and fight for justice. I have truly never felt more cheered on and supported by any other religious community in this work than I have by Iliff. It is my hope that through the networks of activists and faith leaders that come from this place, we will continue the legacy of creating a more just and generous world for the good of all people”

The Iliff School of Theology recognizes students for their service and justice work and has a commitment to the notion that contemporary leaders must be financially resilient and spiritually integrated. In light of this institutional value, Iliff has developed a Matching Scholarship Program that seeks to foster these skills and values. In addition, the school offers the following scholarships that reward student commitments to serve and seek justice.

Forshey Scholarship - This scholarship is given to students who are committed to social action. Rev. Dr. Gerald E. (Jerry) Forshey ThM '57 was active throughout his career in the United Methodist Church, served cross-racial appointments, and was active in the movement for racial justice in church and society as a pastor, teacher, and activist.
Little Rock 9 Scholarship - This scholarship support students of color concentrating on Justice and Peace. Proceeds from the 50th anniversary event in 2008, Iliff celebrated the 50th anniversary of the "Little Rock Nine,” nine African-American teenagers who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Bishop Melvin E. and Lucile Wheatley Peace and Justice Award – This scholarship is for a student who demonstrates Christian commitment to peace and justice. Established in honor of the leadership of Melvin (United Methodist Bishop and Iliff honorary trustee) and Lucile to support.
Caren Elizabeth Wilbanks Scholarship - This scholarship is given to students concentrating on Justice and Peace. Established in 2005 by Linda and Dana Wilbanks, in honor of their daughter Caren Elizabeth Wilbanks (1970-1995).
William Seward Iliff and Dorothy Iliff Memorial Scholarship – Recipient is a full-time graduate student who is focused on leading positive social change.

Core Commitments

Environment
Uniquely Iliff
President's Q&A

Environmental Q&A: How does Iliff practice and promote environmental stewardship and sustainability?

Iliff School of Theology is officially a member of the schools-with-solar club. A 352-panel array is operational on the roof of Iliff’s Schlessman Commons and can generate up to 130 megawatts annually. The panels’ daily 98 kilowatts capacity means up to 65 percent of the campus’ electrical draw can be supplied by the system each year. The panels were installed by City Electric of Louisville, Colorado, and financing was provided by Renewable Energy Ventures of Lakewood, Colorado.

Q: What makes School unique?

Open and Affirming of LGBTQIA

Iliff offers a welcoming and affirming community for LGBTQIA students interested in theological study. In support of this commitment, Iliff has many supportive faculty and staff who serve as advisors, allies, and advocates; all gender restrooms available throughout campus; and an LGBTQIA student group – the “Iliff Queer Coalition.” Iliff also has a presence at Denver PrideFest and at Creating Change: The National Conference on LGBT Equality, and the school is in collaboration with the University of Denver’s LGBTQIA Resource Center.

Global Immersion Experiences

Iliff offers immersion experiences in Africa and along the U.S./Mexican border. In the winter of 2016, Iliff offered a global immersion course led by Dr. Edward Antonio that helped student’s experience globalization firsthand in South Africa. Students participated in and observed several organizational justice efforts in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Harare, and other locations in South Africa during the winter interterm.

Equipping Leaders for Financial Resiliancy

Iliff is committed to assisting contemporary leaders to be financially resilient and spiritually integrated. In light of this institutional value, Iliff has developed a Matching Scholarship Program that seeks to foster these skills and values, while reducing student loan debt. This program makes up a significant portion of our institutional aid and we encourage all students to seriously engage in this innovative program.

Q: How is Iliff changing the world?

Rev. Dr. Thomas V. Wolfe

President, Iliff School of Theology

“At Iliff we strive to help our community clearly see the need for justice and create ways to act out that justice. Iliff graduates are active in the Church and the Academy, in leading Non-profits, and in helping communities find their strengths. Our students are practiced in holding ancient and modern wisdom in tension as we treasure the past and work to transform the future with fresh ideas. Iliff listens, and what’s more—we are present to hear. In our changing world, we continue to develop our ability to pivot toward places of theological and social tension. Our community strives to work in fresh ways to change and strengthen the culture to welcome and value all people.”(Text

Careers that Change the World

Q: Profile three alum who are integrating faith and service in their current ministry/career fields.

Becca Boone (MASC,‘13) serves the Food Bank of the Rockies as their Nutrition Network Representative.

Becca Boone serves the Food Bank of the Rockies as their Nutrition Network Representative. She helps to coordinate their child nutrition programs and works on compliance and training for state funded meals. They serve about 40,000 kids each month. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Land, a new church start within the United Methodist Church that seeks to nourish sacred relationships between the Creator and all Creation. Their mission is to cultivate a spiritual community that focuses on food, faith and farming.

Beth Chronister (M.Div,'14) serves the Unitarian Church in Seattle, Washington as their minister of social justice.

Beth Chronister serves Unitarian Church in Seattle, Washington as their minister of social justice. Her ministry is to ground their social justice efforts in the core principles of Unitarian Universalism which believes that all souls are sacred, that life is inherently interconnected, and that their commitment to covenanted relationship is how they practice their faith and engage the holy work of transforming themselves and their communities. She says, "Iliff equipped me with the critical analysis, theological creativity, and self-awareness to enter this work as an unfolding adventure with others!"

Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz (MDiv, 2013) is currently serving two congregations in inner city parishes in Iowa: Trinity Las Americas UMC and Wesley UMC.

Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz (MDiv, 2013) serves two congregations: Trinity Las Americas UMC and Wesley UMC. Trinity Las Americas UMC is the first multicultural congregation of the Iowa Annual Conference of the UMC. Alfaro-Santiz describes Trinity Las Americas UMC (TLA) as a social justice-oriented congregation. It was the first Reconciling Congregation in Iowa, during the 1980's. It was also a sanctuary for people fleeing war from Central America. Many people in the congregation support interfaith relations, the fight for $15 per hour campaign, and efforts to stop homeless camp evictions in Des Moines. "We are a very diverse congregation, we are black, brown, white, different sexual orientations, have different levels of formal education, different citizenship/immigration statuses, different physical and mental abilities, different socioeconomic classes, and people identify as Catholic, Methodist, Buddhists, Unitarians, agnostics and spiritual seekers, we have babies, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors." The church hosts the neighborhood monthly meetings and have started to host a weekly meeting of Latino students from East High School called "Al Exito." Friends of Iowa Women Prisoners meets monthly at Wesley and every year in February the UMC Advocacy Day starts at Wesley UMC before heading across the street to the Iowa Capitol building. “My time at Iliff helped me to understand issues from an intersectional perspective and to do ministry "outside the box" or to do it with the people instead of for the people."

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