The LCIS was chartered by the General Episcopal Synod in 1976, as the recommanded program for the training of the Clergy of the Liberal Catholic Church worldwide.

The current Director of the LCIS is Bishop Allen Bradley, Auxiliary Bishop in the Province of Australia.

The curriculum has been prepared by the late Presiding Bishop Sten van Krusenstierna. The complete program is designed to be completed in 4 years of study by mail. Although written mainly to prepare aspirants to the Holy Orders in the Liberal Catholic Church, the study is open to all the members of the LCC.

The succesful completion of the Program of Study is not a guaranty that the student will be ordained to any of the clerical Orders of the Liberal Catholic Church. Students who have failed to complete the Program are not automatically considered unsuitable for the Holy Orders. The Ordinary Bishop makes the final decision on Ordinations as he is sole responsible for the sacramental transmission of the Apostolic Succession

Three departments are now operational: