 In 1977, the first religious order woman received a Master of Arts degree in Theology and in 1980, the first laywoman received the Master of Divinity degree, followed in 1985 by the first layman to receive a Master of Arts in Theology degree.As a capstone, the new Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Spirituality was first awarded in 2011 to a layman, followed by several other religious men and women, priests and laymen and women; the last being awarded in May 2015.The many graduates from WTU serve in a variety of ecclesial positions