List of Seminaries with Online and Distance Education
Written by W. Ryan Burns · November 10, 2007
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!