During the first 10 years of the 21st century, the number of students in higher education taking at least one online course nearly tripled (for more, check out “The Rise of Online Higher Ed“). There was also considerable growth in the number of fully online students.
Just as the church tends to change more slowly than the culture at large, seminary education seems to shift more slowly than higher education in general. Like most pastors, I attended seminary in an era when online education was not yet widespread. By the time I was doing my doctoral work, it was possible for a portion of work in many programs to be completed online. Change was underway, yet all accredited graduate programs still had significant on campus residency requirements that are not possible for all potential seminary students.
Finally, the day has arrived when the primary accrediting body — ATS (Association of Theological Schools) — now allows schools to offer seminary degrees fully online, including the M.Div.
So What?
Until 2012, seminary students could complete no more than 1/2 of ATS accredited degree programs online. The shift to allow up to 100% of such work to be completed online has significant implications not only for what the future student bodies may look like, but also how theological higher education will look in the years and decades ahead.
Quality higher education, including quality theological higher education, can be done well on campus or online. It can also be done poorly in both contexts.
- What do you believe are likely to be some of the primary benefits of fully accredited seminary education being accessible online?
- As additional seminaries begin offering more courses and complete degrees online, what are your primary concerns?
- Do you think the expansion of online offerings will strengthen, weaken or have limited impact on the on campus programs? Explain.