Saw your tweet re: online MDiv, & wanted to reply in more than 140 characters. Most seminaries that aren’t fly-by-night start-ups are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS.edu). ATS currently requires that at least a small portion of the MDiv be completed face-to-face in a classroom setting. And I agree with that requirement. It’s more than just a degree – it’s an affirmation from the school to The Church that this person has completed the requirements for the degree that is designed to prepare a person for ordained ministry. It’s about more than just coursework – it’s spiritual preparation, as well. I would personally be a little skeptical about a school that would award such a degree without ever having seen the person.

Having said that, many seminaries offer distance learning, which usually involves 75%-85% of the work done from home, with the remainder done during a brief period on campus. Union-PSCE currently offers this program for the MACE (Master of Arts in Christian Education) degree and, in preparation for offering the MDiv online as well, will begin offering language courses through the Extended Campus platform next term as well.

We just moved here to Richmond from Atlanta (Clarkston) two years ago. We have a program called Days for Discernment that runs Nov 1-3 (Sun afternoon through Tuesday lunch), and we’d love for you (and your wife, and family, if you like) to be our guest. Take a look (http://sn.im/ohmtz), pray about it, and let me know if you’d like to hear more about it.

May God continue to bless, guide and prosper your ministry at OLC –

in Christ,

Rev. Brint Pratt Keyes
Director of Admissions
Union Presbyterian Seminary
Richmond, VA & Charlotte, NC