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.
Starting with the March 2010 Term, course forum post instructions and reading questions that reference a specific course textbook page number will also show the Kindle location number as well (assuming the course textbook is also available for the Kindle).
The Kindle location number will be provided using this format:
K-1022
A growing number of Rockbridge Seminary students now use the Amazon Kindle and order their required textbooks in a Kindle format. Their feedback helped the seminary realize the need for adding the Kindle location number to assignments where a specific page number is referenced.
Rockbridge Seminary student Nils Smith (twitter) talks about his Rockbridge experience and being able to continue to serve in his ministry at San Antonio while going to seminary.
Why do we need these new churches? Shouldn’t we invest our efforts into continuing these other churches that have plenty of room to grow or some dying congregations that need a jolt of life breathed into them? …Continue reading Nils Smith’s reflections during his Church Planting Course at Rockbridge Seminary.
Rockbridge Seminary does many things differently from traditional seminary. Cutting a new path for fully online seminary education doesn’t stop at the learning model and method.
Students write their own scholarships at Rockbridge. Literally, they write blog postings and emails telling others about their experience and Rockbridge and the people who read that writing become students. When that happens the student making the referral gets $250 in tuition credit added to their account.
We’ve got some really complicated rules about how this must happen. Are you ready to read the fine print? Here it is:
Refer a friend or ministry colleague to Rockbridge Seminary. After he or she completes the first course, you’ll receive $250 tuition credit in your account. There is NO LIMIT to the number of referrals you can make. Four referrals pays for a class!
They just have to put your name in the “Referred by a RS student” blank on their application form.
One of our students has created his own seminary scholarship in a really big way.
I was praying for a long time regarding a seminary. I did not want to leave ministry because I was learning in that context and I also had a family to support. After much searching and prayer – I came across Rockbridge Seminary. It was a huge answer to my prayer. My wife and I knew that this was the right school for me (us). I can still be in ministry; learning and supporting my family. I also did not to take time away from the family as I went to a classroom for lectures and learning. I usually did my seminary work after the family went to bed and after I spent quality time with them. There were times when I did have research and work to do during the day and did not spend with the family, but most of it was done without sacrificing time with my wife and children. In fact, my oldest son continue reading…
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.
follow us on Twitter
