Western Theological Seminary (WTS) in Holland, Michigan knows how to do distance learning right. The Accrediting Commission of the Association of Theological Schools gave high praise to the school in February 2009, granting ongoing approval to Western’s distance learning Master of Divinity program. The commission commended WTS for its thoughtful attention to the pertinent issues of distance education, which has led to program refinements and improvements. The petition for approval itself was declared to be “one of the most complete petitions regarding distance education to be reviewed in recent years.”
“WTS is on the leading edge of excellence in distance learning,” says Dr. Meri MacLeod, Director of the Distance Learning Master of Divinity program. “Other seminaries are looking to learn from the high standards we are setting.”
Western Theological Seminary started its distance learning program in 2003 in response to the needs of students throughout the country who could not uproot their lives and move to Holland, Michigan for the three year residential program. In 2008 the seminary celebrated the graduation of the first nine students to complete the 5-year distance learning program and receive a Master of Divinity degree. There are currently 57 students working toward their degree via distance learning and 173 students attending school in residence at the Holland campus.
Institutions can choose from various models of distance learning education, and WTS chose a blended course model in which students are taught through a combination of face-to-face and online instruction in nearly all courses. The curriculum is the same as what residential students experience, taught by the same dedicated faculty, but the semesters are structured differently. Also, half the learning is done online, and students attend intensive classes on campus in Holland, MI for two weeks in January and May.
In 2008 the Frost Research Center evaluated Western Theological Seminary’s distance learning and found that 100% of the students felt their expectations were met for a high quality graduate theological program. The greatest program impacts were identified as:
1. The community that was developed among students
2. The ability for second career/non-traditional students to answer their call to ministry
3. The spiritual and pastoral formation
“The way we run distance learning here makes me feel there is no distance between students, faculty, and staff during learning,” says Jade Gao, Educational Technology Specialist at WTS.
Student Brad Nelson of Grandville, MI agrees. “I was previously enrolled in another school’s distance learning program, but the situation didn’t work well. Western’s DL program doesn’t feel disconnected at all.”
Western Theological Seminary has maintained the integrity of its distance learning degree through consistency in courses, academic policy, formational elements, faculty, and admission requirements. There are real and unique differences in distance education vs. residential education, but the faculty and administration of Western have held onto program values and learning outcomes while making modifications to sync with the unique challenges of part-time working adults living at a distance from the seminary.
“It takes an incredible amount of time, energy, discipline, thought, and motivation to stay on top of all the classwork,” says Wes Tillett of Lafayette, Indiana, “but Western’s DL program has been the perfect fit for my learning style, my family life, and my goals for this period of my life as I’m simultaneously gaining full time church experience. This program has brought a lot of stability, authenticity, and richness to both my church work and my learning. It’s been a win-win all the way.”
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Dr. Meri MacLeod, Program Director, can be reached at 616-392-8555, x142 or meri.macleod@westernsem.edu
Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, Dean and V.P. of Academic Affairs, can be reached at 616-392-8555, x126 or leanne.vandyk@westernsem.edu