List of Seminaries with Online and Distance Education
Blog, Distance Education | W. Ryan Burns | November 10, 2007 at 5:27 pm
So, I figure it would be good to work on a list of seminaries offering online and distance education degrees. Now, keep in mind that almost every school that offers a distance education will require, at least, some residential classes. This list will only include programs that are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and allow you to complete 90% of your degree off campus:
- Reformed Theological Seminary Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)
- Fuller Theological Seminary Master of Arts in Global Leadership
- Covenant Seminary Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
- Liberty University (too many to figure out which ones are totally distance)
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The cool thing about most seminaries though and their required amount of “campus class” is that a J-term counts towards meeting that requirement. For example, Southern Seminary wants 24 on-campus hours. That is basically 8 classes amounting to a total of 8 weeks on campus if done during the J-terms. Granted, those classes are a bit rough (I took a J-term class at MidWestern 3 years ago) but it is definitely a worthwhile endeavor for distance students.
What is more, the seminaries usually offer cheap(er) rates for those students needing a place to stay while attending a J-term class.
“J-term”?
That’s a new one for me.
Please define for me all our good readers out there.
A “J-term” is a week long class during the months of January, June, and/or July. You go to class for 8-10 hours a day. You do all of your reading before you show up for the week. Usually, you write a paper after the class and sometimes you take an exam.
Basically, you cram a semester into one week. The downside is you lose any decent discussion time and you don’t really get to know the professor very well let alone your fellow students. The upside for those who are distance students, it counts towards campus hours and it only takes a week per “semester.” You could potentially do 3-6 a year depending on how suicidal you want to be!
This link (http://www.sbts.edu/pdf/deil/JTerm4.pdf) will take you to an example J-Term schedule at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I think you will have to copy/paste it. Hope this helps.
Here is the website for Christ Theological Seminary out of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of the United States (RPCUS) which is my denomination. I will be a ministerial student there starting in the Fall. Tuition is free for pre-ministerial students! One must only pay for the cost of books. Anyways, check it out!
You missed one: Amridge University in Montgomery, AL – it’s MDiv is ATS accredited and they offer online programs both on the undergraduate level and post-grad, with multiple concentration options.
I don’t think Amridge is considered ATS accredited; it is an associate member, but not full, which might create a problem if transferring or going on for further studies elsewhere.
I live in Anchorage AK and looking to take an online degree program. I have looked at George Fox, Boise Bible College, Liberty, all way out of my price range. I was thinking of going to Colorado Theological Seminary. They have the degree program I want, their price for tuition is more in my price range and the degree is online. I was wondering if anyone has gone there or currently enrolled. That can give me guidance. My minister is trying to get me to do a course where you have to take a week or two and fly to the school to complete class. I have a family a disabled wife with Multiple Sclerosis, and my wife and her ex’ husband have the child custody agreement where they can’t move out of Anchorage. So, needless to say an online degree is my only way. If anyone wants to look at CTS their web site is http://www.seminary.ws Please let me know if the school is good or if I should keep looking.
Greetings Scott. I am President and Co-founder of Colorado Theological Seminary. We have a number of students from Alaska. Feel free to give me a call toll free at 1-866-45-BIBLE ex 703 and we can chat.
Our mission is to offer affordable and accessible Christian degree and certificate programs by distance learning. We don’t ask for any big up front fees. We charge tuition by the course. So, if for some reason we don’t meet your needs, you are not out big bucks. Approx. 60% of our students are already in the ministry. Thank you and be blessed.
I’ve been studying at Colorado Theological Seminary. The program they have set up is very good. ATS is not the only accreditation game in town. There are several others recognized by the US Department Of Education that service Seminaries. Most places where you would use a seminary degree will not require accreditation from the US DOE. So, if you are interested in a quality education that won’t require you to give up your first born child’s inheritance in payment, then Colorado Theological Seminary would be my recommendation.
Grace & Peace