Seminary licensed by State of Illinois to offer low-residency M.Div. program
CHICAGO, September 27, 2016—Bexley Seabury, one of 10 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church, today received authorization from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to offer an enhanced, low-residency Master of Divinity (MDiv.) program at its new Hyde Park/Woodlawn campus beginning with the January 2017 term. Bexley Seabury previously offered a residential MDiv. program in Columbus, Ohio. Like the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry and Diploma in Anglican Studies programs, the Bexley Seabury MDiv. is already accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Bexley Seabury’s shift to a low-residency MDiv. makes it possible for students to pursue seminary without having to relocate, leave their jobs, or disrupt ministerial and other responsibilities. Most of the seminary’s courses are hybrids that combine face-to-face sessions—scheduled for three weekends over three months or for one-week intensives in January or June—with ongoing online learning. Through the seminary’s relationship with Chicago Theological Seminary, students also have the option to take many courses entirely online.
One distinctive enhancement to the Bexley Seabury MDiv. is the expansion of field education from a one- or two-semester program to a highly contextual five-semester internship. Communities of Learning and Formation, established in and with the MDiv. candidate’s local parish, provide a new model for collaborative teaching, learning, and formation in the field.
“We understand our new Master of Divinity program as a whole new way of living out our shared ministry as the priesthood of the baptized,” said Bexley Seabury President Roger Ferlo. “We will be partnering with dioceses to shape the spiritual formation process for their ordination candidates, and also include local leaders as active participants. I am thrilled to put this new program into motion.”
Bexley Seabury’s enhanced Master of Divinity program also includes a module of courses previously reserved only for doctoral candidates. These include courses that draw on family systems theory and asset-based community development strategies as well as a signature course in community organizing for people of faith, a mainstay for Doctor of Ministry studies at Bexley Seabury since 1999.
Bexley Seabury is an Episcopal center for learning and discipleship offering theological education in a generous spiritual and intellectual tradition. Our mission is to equip lay and ordained leaders for bold inquiry in service of the Gospel and active engagement in congregational and community life. Learn more about our degree, diploma and lifelong learning programs at bexleyseabury.edu.