CTS Offers Online M.Div Degree

Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) has received the “unqualified endorsement” from its academic accrediting agency, The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), to launch an online,  five-year  distance-learning Master of Divinity degree.

“This program will allow persons to work and live where they are while pursuing a five-year distance M.Div. degree,” writes Rev. Jul Medenblik, president of the seminary, in a letter to supporters of CTS, which is the Christian  Reformed Church in North America’s seminary located in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The distance-learning Master of Divinity degree “will use a hybrid approach with online course delivery . . . The initial cohort (small group) is being registered for the fall,” writes Medenblik.

Many people  at CTS and others have been working for the last two or three years in trying to re-imagine seminary education and find ways to make it more accessible to those who are feeling a call to the ministry.

“The new program may be what they (students) especially need to discern their next steps (in answering the call),” writes Medenblik.

Students in the program will complete much of their work online, traveling to the CTS campus approximately two weeks each year for intensive, on-campus learning experiences. Students will generally take three courses per semester.

“Formation for ministry will continue to be a strong emphasis as students experience the program in learning cohorts, engage in a wide range of internship opportunities, and receive support through mentoring groups,” says a CTS description of the program.

These courses will maintain the same rigorous academic standards as the on-camps courses provide.

As part of the program, CTS will use tools such as Canvas, an online, learning management system, to offer the theological training.

CTS’s wide range of courses, in such areas as biblical languages, theology, history, pastoral care, preaching, spiritual development, and church growth, will be available via the Internet.

“With our new distance M.Div., those called to ministry can receive sound Reformed theological training while staying rooted in their current home and ministry contexts,” writes Medenblik.

In his letter, Medenblik asked CTS supporters to “pray for this ministry opportunity and pray for God to raise up students from across the United States and Canada for His ministry and for His glory . . . Would you make this an item for congregational prayer?” he wrote.

He said congregations could post the Distance Learning Flyer to a church
bulletin board or pass it on to other interested persons.