Applicants that are hesitant about 100 percent online learning get opportunity to try out a course first
SPRINGFIELD, MO (Jun. 9, 2010)−Rockbridge Seminary, a fully online seminary that allows students to learn while serving in a ministry role, today announced Seminary Test Drive, a program that targets potential students who are ready to begin their seminary education, but are hesitant about 100 percent online learning. The new program allows a student to register for any course on the schedule and pay only one-half of the regular tuition fees, as long as the student agrees to enroll for the next term, if they are satisfied with their online learning experience.
“We developed the Seminary Test Drive program because we understand that not everyone is ready to jump in and fully commit to e-learning,” explains President Daryl Eldridge. “Through this new program we hope to address those concerns and help these students realize the many benefits and rewards associated with online learning.”
Eldridge says that in his conversations with prospective seminary students he hears questions like: “Will I feel part of a learning community or feel isolated and alone?” “Will I learn as well as I would in a traditional classroom?” “When I need help, will I have the support I need?”
Confident that most Test Drive students will be satisfied with the e-learning experience, Eldridge invites potential seminary students to apply for the Test Drive program. A limited number of Test Drive applicants are selected for the program each 8-week term.
About Rockbridge Seminary
Rockbridge Seminary is a degree-granting institution of higher learning that exists to develop servant leaders for Christian ministry through learning experiences that allow them to study and practice without leaving their ministry field.
The learning experiences provided by Rockbridge Seminary are delivered fully online, based on a curriculum that is designed around the biblical purposes of the church, and guided by ministry competencies.
Rick Warren, Saddleback Church’s senior pastor, calls Rockbridge Seminary the “future of global seminary education.” For additional information, visit www.rockbridgeseminary.org.
About E-Learning
According to a recent study conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group and The Sloan Consortium, online learning continues to grow “at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population.” The study found that “more than one in four higher education students now take at least one course online.” The majority of chief academic officers surveyed in the study affirm that learning outcomes for online learning compared to face-to-face learning is equivalent or superior. For additional information, visit www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/learning_on_demand_sr2010.
For persons ready to start seminary but still hesitant about taking courses 100% online, Rockbridge Seminary offers a Test Drive program.
Rockbridge Test Drive students:
Take advantage of a “fast track” application process
Choose any course in the current term
Pay ½ tuition for the test drive course
Agree to take a second course the next term if satisfied with the online learning experience
A limited number of applicants are accepted to the Rockbridge Test Drive program each 8-week term. Only persons applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Ministry Leadership degree programs are considered.Admissions guidelines apply.
Christianity Today Magazine recently featured an article about online seminary education. Rockbridge was highlighted as the first online-only seminary utilizing today’s technology to bridge the distances between where students already are in ministry and where seminary education can be delivered.
Registration for the May 2010 Term (2010-T3) is now open for all current students and approved applicants. Registration will remain open until April 26, 2010.
Spring Break is scheduled April 27, through May 3, 2010. The May term will begin on May 4, 2010.
Current students: Please bookmark the myrbs.org login page and use it to gain access to class. You can go there now and bookmark/favorite the login page.
We are needing quality photographs of you in action.
We are preparing to update our website and want to feature you in your ministry. If you have some quality photos of you in action please email them to the course.support email address found in the left hand sidebar of the student portal.
We need the photos as soon as possible. Thank you for being willing to share your story.
The following post was taken from an open comment in Rockbridge Seminary’s course “Lead Like Jesus” by Rock’r student David Leister – Wednesday, 27 January 2010, 07:13 AM CST
As I’m in a new church now and still getting acclimated, I’ll take the liberty to use Rockbridge as an example, also in hopes that Dr. Eldridge and other students can tell me if I’m making sense or not!
I think that in today’s world where everything is available at the click of a mouse, where distribution logistics of a DVD player made in Asia can be completely controlled by a pre-teen in Idaho, those at the traditional base of an organization’s pyramid need to be empowered and filled with organizational vision. Customers are more readily in contact with diverse areas of an organization. No longer is there one simple 800 number for customer complaints. Now you can call most large churches and be waltzed through a number of menu options and departments to get you right to the nitty gritty.
Chains of command are being ruptured and what used to be following Point A – B – C – D to arrive at E, is now AE merged together. In today’s world of proclaiming the Gospel through churches or selling titanium heavywares manufactured in New Jersey to Brazilian petrochemical customers requires that everyone wearing the organizational “logo” live their organization’s mission, vision and values. The days of passing the buck seem to be dying.
At Rockbridge, I see myself at the traditional base, not so much as a customer, but as a student according to the diagram. But the difference is that instead of paying, learning and leaving, I feel empowered and motivated to make the sale as well. Rockbridge’s mission, vision and values are easily recognizable and explainable. And it seems that Rockbridge’s leadership wants everyone involved, from faculty to students, to feel like valued members of the organization. I find myself sending site links to friends for encouragement as well as information to prospective students or gifted leaders who I know would enjoy and benefit from, for example, the MML program.
I believe that this is because the pyramid has been turned upside down so that everyone is in tune with and has ownership in the vitality of the organization. Information about anything from the accreditation process to daily counseling on learning plans is easily accessible. There doesn’t seem to be too much red tape and risk in misrepresenting what Rockbridge stands for. If you ask me to encapsulate my alma mater’s vision, I don’t know where to begin, and coming from someone who loves to talk and write (too much!) I get tongue-tied.
Based on the reality of today’s global, internet world of business and academics, Rockbridge is thriving by getting its message in the hands of its students and faculty, who altogether have the potential to reach countless numbers of potential customers/students.
OK, I feel like I just did a promo. You guys hiring? lol
If you are not completely satisfied with the online seminary learning experience after beginning your first course, Rockbridge Seminary will refund your tuition in full.
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