Students interested in advanced ministry training at Abilene Christian University will soon have a new online option. Starting this summer, the ACU Graduate School of Theology will offer the Master of Divinity degree online.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe GST has always been called to serve the church for the sake of the world,\u201d said Dr. Mindi Thompson, director of distance education for the Graduate School of Theology. \u201cNow, we are even better equipped to fulfill that calling by offering the Master of Divinity online.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Master of Divinity is a professional graduate degree designed to prepare students for careers in ministry. Graduates are equipped to serve as congregational ministers, Christian educators, campus ministers, chaplains, church planters, and in various other ministry contexts.<\/p>\n
Historically, students interested in earning an M.Div. or other advanced theological training at ACU were required to move to Abilene to earn their degree. \u201cIn some cases, we know that asking students to pick up their lives and relocate for graduate work also asks them to put their ministry careers on hold,\u201d said Dr. Tim Sensing, associate dean of the ACU Graduate School of Theology.<\/p>\n
ACU was recently granted permission by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to offer the Master of Divinity degree online. Now, students will be able to complete the majority of their coursework online.<\/p>\n
The program requires 72 credits and is designed to be completed in 48 months by students who are also working full or part time. Online courses will be offered in a seven-week format, and students will complete one course at a time over a seven-week period.<\/p>\n
In addition to online courses, students in the Master of Divinity program are required to complete four courses in residence. Residency requirements may be met through completion of one-week intensive courses, courses scheduled over two long weekends or by participating in one of our international residency options.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo many of our students are already serving in local congregations,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cOffering the Master of Divinity online allows us to serve students at a greater distance from Abilene. In doing so, we learn what God is doing in churches across the country and around the world, and this gives us greater insight into how best to train the next generation of church leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n