Learning that fits your lifestyle.
What does your life look like? Do you have a job? Family obligations?
When God places a call on your life and you begin to discern that seminary might be the next step, that doesn’t always mean everything else in life stops. That’s why United created flexible learning options to meet the needs and learning styles of our students. Choose the one that fits best for you or mix and match to get the right combination for this season of life.
And, with United’s FlexChoice program, master’s students can choose to schedule their coursework to earn a degree at the pace that best fits their individual needs.
- FlexChoice Accelerated enables students to move quickly through their seminary program by taking advantage of United’s year-round schedule to earn a Master of Divinity degree in as few as two years.
- FlexChoice Traditional is for students taking 6-9 credit hours per term. Students who prefer to earn a degree at a more conventional pace may prefer this pathway, with the Master of Divinity typically taking three years to complete.
- FlexChoice Balanced allows students to take a reduced course load for optimal work/life balance. This option is ideal for working pastors or professionals, with a Master of Divinity typically earned in four years or more.
Choose the Right Program Style for You
What’s your learning style? Do you learn best in a live lecture and discussion format or better when you have time to read, digest and develop your response?
- Complete assignments each week before the due date at the time and place that are best for you
- Build community through online discussions that allow everyone to participate
- Time and space to think through questions and refine your response in writing, which often encourages a deeper engagement with texts that enhances learning
- Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts can be completed fully online. Master of Arts in Christian Ministries and Master of Ministry can be completed online with as few as 1 week on campus, and Master of Divinity can be completed online with as few as 2 weeks on campus. However, residency requirements may vary by denomination. Each student must check with her or his own denominational leadership regarding residency requirements for ordination.
- Enjoy the option of a more traditional class structure with live lectures and discussions by attending on-campus courses remotely via webcam
- For those who can commit to a specific class time and wish to study at a distance
- Structured learning via a regular pace of scheduled meeting times
- Immediate answers to your questions during class as you engage with your professor and peers
- Experience the fellowship, meals, worship and learning environment of being face to face with your professor and peers, whether you live locally or travel to campus for the week
- Take up to two courses in one Gathering Week with online work before and after time on campus
- Gathering Weeks on campus in Dayton, Ohio take place in October, February, and July
- For many denominations, hybrid courses fulfill the face-to-face residency requirement for students pursuing education primarily online
- Experience the fellowship, meals, worship and learning environment of being face to face with your professor and peers, whether you live locally or travel to campus for the week
- Masters intensives are offered in January before the traditional semester-long on-campus and online courses
- Doctor of Ministry intensives are offered in August and January, with additional focus group sessions occurring twice per year
- Doctor of Theology intensives are offered in mid-July on campus in Dayton, OH
- Complete one course during a Gathering Week with online work before and after time on campus
- For many denominations, intensive courses fulfill the face-to-face residency requirement for students pursuing education primarily online
- Enjoy meals on campus, chapel with the United community and regular interaction with United faculty, staff and students
- For those within driving distance of United’s campus or who choose to move to the Dayton, OH area
- Courses are offered Monday and Tuesday in convenient block scheduling to maximize time on campus
For help discerning which option or combination is best for you, contact our admissions team:
admissions@united.edu
800.322.5817