WTS-Newbigin Distance Learning
Master of Divinity Degree

Are you passionate about church planting, revitalization, and center city renewal ministry?  Western’s Newbigin Distance Learning Master of Divinity program may be just the option you are looking for.

Newbigin House of Studies is located in San Francisco, an entirely secular city with no religious memory. Learn how this environment will uniquely prepare you to reach the world with the Gospel.

What makes the program distinctive?

• Community

  

  The emphasis on community sets Western apart from other seminaries offering distance learning. You'll form relationships with peers and faculty, all of whom are deeply committed to helping nurture you for effective pastoral ministry.

  Read what current students are saying about the program.

• Blended Course Model

  

  Students work together and learn from each other in online and classroom collaboration, shaping a remarkable non-competitive learning culture. Unique to Western's distance learning program is a combination of face-to-face and online instruction in nearly all courses.

• The Vision, Partnership, and Urban Context

  Visit this Newbigin House of Studies page to learn what makes this M.Div. program unique.

• Fully Accredited

  The distance learning M.Div. is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Western was honored to receive high praise from the accrediting commission in February 2009 upon granting ongoing approval.

• In-Residence or Distance Learning - which suits you?

  How do you learn best?  What environment do you prefer? Before signing up for any online course or stepping into a classroom, it is important to discern your own learning style.

  In-Residence Learner

  • Prefers the physical environment of the classroom
  • Enjoys regular face-to-face interaction with professors and peers
  • Needs a consistent class schedule and structured learning formats
  • Learn more about our In-Residence M.Div.

  Distance Learning Learner

  • Self-motivated, independent learner
  • Wants flexibility of organizing his or her own learning schedule
  • Disciplined, can set aside 30 hours per week to study and participate in an online setting
  • Prefers to continue in current ministry or home situation
  • Can travel three times a year for classroom-based intensives on campus in Holland, MI and San Francisco, CA (see Intensives for further info)

Program Design:

• Yearly Schedule Overview

  WTS-Newbigin Distance Learning Master of Divinity

  Orientation
  

  In mid-August, new students participate in online orientation and learning management system training. Students will work each within the program's learning management system, Canvas, gaining experience with the same tools utilized in courses and will begin to develop an online community within the new student cohort.

  When new students arrive on campus in January for their first Intensive, they receive an additional day of face-to-face orientation.

  Semester Schedule

  Fall term of 9 weeks begins in late August/early September, features one or two accelerated courses conducted entirely online, and ends in early November.

  Winter semester of 14 weeks begins in November, concludes in early March, and includes holiday breaks, a winter break, and a 2-week on-campus January Intensive.

  Summer semester of 14 weeks begins in mid-March, concludes late June, and includes a 2-week on-campus May Intensive and a one-week break following the Intensive.

  In late July/early August, there is a one week summer intensive class in San Francisco.

  Graduation

  Western Theological Seminary’s Commencement Service is usually the second Monday in May and falls within the distance learning summer semester on-campus Intensive. Graduating seniors participate in Commencement with the In-Residence Master of Divinity graduates and then finish the rest of the Intensive. WTS-Newbigin DL Graduates receive the Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary.

• Course Design and Cohort Model

  A group or “cohort” of students (15-24 people) are admitted each year and move through the curriculum together. This design fosters a rich learning community providing support to each other over the five years of the program.

  Western's program is designed for asynchronous learning with an occasional real-time chat or conference call. Lectures are downloaded using the Canvas learning system. Discussion forums are a regular part of each course and often students work collaboratively on course assignments. Maintaining regular and consistent participation is important for success in this type of distance program.

  Students work most often within the time frame of 1-2 week units. This allows a student to create his or her own schedule for completing assignments while keeping the whole class together within a set time frame for collaborative work.

• On-Campus Intensive

  The three on-campus Intensives allow for 50% of course time to be conducted in a face-to-face setting. Each January and May the two-week Intensives in Holland, MI begin on a Monday morning with an opening breakfast and worship, followed by classes. Students start each day with breakfast together, and the community breaks in the morning for worship and fellowship. Students participate in worship by reading scripture or assisting with the worship liturgy.

  The one-week Intensives in San Francisco are only for years one and two and are specifically for learning about the urban church in context.

  Spiritual formation retreats and professional development seminars are woven into the Intensives throughout the four-year program.

  Lodging and Travel

  Lodging and travel to Holland, MI and San Francisco, CA are not included in the cost of the program and are the responsibility of the student.

  The seminary will assist in locating housing options for the intensives, but students are responsible for the cost of housing and meals while on campus (other than breakfast).

  Textbooks can be purchased from the seminary bookstore.

Courses and Degree Requirements

• 96 credit hours, minimum of four years. 
• Two year embedded Urban Internship
• Intercultural Immersion trip

Sequence of Courses

Field Legend: BL - Biblical Field; MN - Christian Ministry Field; FR - Formation for Ministry; TH - Theological Field

• Year 1

  Fall

  • **Practice of Discipleship (3)
  • **The Urban Christian (1.5)

  Winter

  • New Testament Greek I (3)
  • New Testament Foundations (3)
  • Worship Foundations (1.5)

  Summer

  • New Testament Greek II (1.5)
  • New Testament Interpretation (1.5)
  • Pastor as Person (1.5)
  • Elective (3)
  • Spiritual Formation Retreat (.38)

  Late Summer

  • The Urban Church(3) (on-site in San Francisco, CA)

  ** fully online course. All other courses include blended face-to-face and online instruction.

• Year 2

  Fall

  • *New Testament Elective (3)

  Winter

  • Biblical Hebrew I (3)
  • Old Testament Foundations (3)
  • Multi-Cultural Proficiency (1.5)
  • **Systematic Theology I (3)

  Summer

  • Hebrew Translation & Interpretation (3)
  • Preaching Foundations (3)
  • Spiritual Formation Retreat (.38)
  • **Systematic Theology II (3)

  Late Summer

  • Urban Church Planting (3) (on-site at Newbigin House)

  ** fully online course. All other courses include blended face-to-face and online instruction.

• Year 3

  Fall

  • **Old Testament Elective - using Hebrew (3)
  • Embedded Urban Internship I (3) (runs all year)

  Winter

  • Church History I (3)
  • Practice of Counsel and Care (3)
  • Elective(3)

  Summer

  • Church History II (3)
  • Leadership (3)
  • Spiritual Formation Retreat (.38)
  • Pastoral Learning Project & Pastoral Training Seminar (1.5) (on-site in Holland, MI)
  • Church Revitalization - Urban Context (1.5) (on-site in Holland, MI)

  ** fully online course. All other courses include blended face-to-face and online instruction.

• Year 4

  Fall

  • **Standards and Polity (3)
  • Embedded Urban Internship II (3) (runs all year)

  Winter

  • Missional Church (1.5)
  • Intercultural Immersion (1.5)
  • Elective (3)
  • **Practice of Worship and Preaching (3)

  Summer

  • Credo (1.5)
  • Christian Ethics (3)
  • Spiritual Formation Retreat (.38)
  • Pastoral Learning Project & Pastoral Training Seminar (1.5) (on-site in Holland, MI)
  • Self Assessment for Urban Ministry (1.5) (on-site in Holland, MI)

  ** fully online course. All other courses include blended face-to-face and online instruction.