Deciding to pursue a seminary degree is a major step. Whether you’re called to pastoral ministry, theological research, chaplaincy, or a justice-oriented leadership role, United can help you prepare. But these days, seminary education is no longer solely focused on in-person attendance. United Theological Seminary offers 100% online programs, in-person degrees, and a hybrid option to help students and seminarians thrive in a variety of life and vocational contexts.
Online Seminary
An online seminary degree does not mean watching lectures on YouTube. United offers both asynchronous and synchronous online classes, giving students the freedom to engage with pre-recorded lectures on their own time, as well as real-time interaction during weekly class sessions. The online classroom at United features videos, discussion boards, readings, and assessments.
Online programs from United are fully accredited, robust in theological training, and intentional in student-faculty interaction. To supplement virtual education with opportunities for relational formation, United offers in-person “Gathering Weeks” for online students to attend classes in Dayton once or twice per year. During these weeks, online students, faculty, and staff can build community through worship, meals, and study together in order to deepen their academic and spiritual relationships.
The online learning format is especially helpful for adults who are already serving in ministry or deeply rooted in certain communities. It can also help those who are in the process of discerning their call to ministry and service while juggling commitments to family, work, and local organizations.
In-Person Seminary
Some students are drawn to in-person seminary for the community and daily rhythm of spiritual life on a faith-based campus. Attending United Theological Seminary in Dayton offers students an engaging learning environment with classes, chapel, and hallway conversations with classmates, faculty, and staff.
Some students also appreciate the unique dynamic of classroom discussion that comes with in-person seminary. The opportunity for real-time feedback and embodied presence leads to a more kinetic classroom atmosphere for some students.
In-person students also have easy access to the many ways United is connected to ministry in Dayton, OH and beyond. Proximity to United’s local partnerships with congregations, non-profit organizations, and interfaith networks gives on-campus students the opportunity to engage in local field education, service projects, and volunteerism as part of their degree.
Hybrid Seminary Option
United’s hybrid learning programs provide an intentional middle path for students to decide whether they will complete more classes online or in-person. Primarily online students complete coursework at a time that works best for them, often during evenings or weekends. Meanwhile, primarily in-person students at United can also take some online courses as part of their degree, enabling them to stay on track in their studies without neglecting their other commitments.
Hybrid learning also reflects United’s broader educational vision which is that seminary should be accessible and responsive to students’ current vocational, professional, and geographical locations. Hybrid students get to connect with faculty and classmates without sacrificing autonomy and flexibility.
Benefits of Online Seminary
Online classes also open the door to more diverse community. United’s virtual classrooms host students from across the United States and around the world, giving students and faculty the chance to encounter theological, cultural, and ministerial perspectives that differ from their own. This rich diversity not only helps to enrich classroom conversation, but also cultivates a deeper kind of empathy that is a hallmark of those called to faith-based leadership.
Online learning also opens up the seminary to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. Students remain where they are, avoiding the cost of relocation, commuting, or disrupting family, church, or ministry commitments. With an intentional structure and faculty support, online seminary can be a flexible pathway to deep formation.
Benefits of In-Person Seminary
Embodiment is a key element of spiritual formation. In-person seminary offers students the daily rhythm of community life in a learning environment that also functions as a home. Chapel, in-depth classroom conversation, and close proximity to trusted faculty mentors form a tightly knit spiritual community where students wrestle with questions of faith in real time, supported by both classmates and teachers who know them by name. In-person learning also makes it much easier to attend seminary events, guest lectures, and worship services.
Whether you decide to study on campus or online, you’ll experience connection that is transformational and helps form the friendships, habits of spiritual discipline, and sense of rootedness that can change lives long after graduation.
Challenges of Each Format
Of course, there are potential challenges to each format. Online learning requires self-discipline. Students must be able to manage their own time, stay motivated, and navigate technology in the absence of a physical classroom or daily schedule. The lack of face-to-face student-faculty interaction and unplanned community conversations can be difficult for some online students.
On the other hand, attending in-person seminary often requires sacrifice. Students may need to relocate or reconfigure their work and family obligations in order to attend classes on campus. The cost of living near campus can also be high. Daily commuting to class also adds stress and time to an already demanding academic schedule. A good seminary degree fits the rhythm of your life.
How to Decide Which Is Right for You
Choosing between online and on-campus seminary starts with self-reflection. Do you thrive with in-person mentorship and live classroom discussion? Or do you prefer to study at your own pace with the flexibility to design your own schedule? Do you need to stay put in your current ministry setting or are you ready to uproot your life and embrace a period of immersion and spiritual retreat?
United Theological Seminary is ready to help. United’s admissions team is here to listen and provide clarity and care as you explore every option. United’s goal is to help students of all types and backgrounds discern their unique call to faithful, fruitful service in a complex world.
Your Choice Supports Your Calling
Both online seminary and in-person seminary provide an opportunity for the kind of rigorous, transformative preparation that is required for a life of ministry, but the format is not everything. What matters more than where you choose to study is how your choice supports your formation, calling, and ability to serve others with love and integrity.
Contact United’s admissions team, explore their academic offerings, and take the next step toward discernment today.