Distance Education
Learn From Where You Are
The goal of Covenant Seminary's Distance Education program is to provide those who are unable to study on campus with access to theological training, support, accountability, and participation in a grace-focused learning community. Most importantly, our distance education program strives to help students know Jesus more intimately at the end of each course than he or she did at the beginning.
Our program design allows students to enjoy this theological training without moving to St. Louis. The program extends Covenant Seminary's impact far beyond the boundaries of our main campus. By using recorded lectures and carefully prepared study guides, students take courses with the assistance of a mentor and interact with other students in online forums. Through the Distance Education program, a student may:
- Take one course.
- Complete an entire Graduate Certificate or Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MATS).
(Please note that the MATS does require three one-week, on-campus residencies during the course of study.) - Begin a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or complete a significant portion of the Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (MAEM) without relocating to St. Louis.
Distance Education courses may not be applied toward the Master of Arts (Exegetical Theology) (MAET), the Master of Theology (ThM), or Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degrees.
All Distance Education students benefit from:
- Personal one-to-one mentoring by faculty-approved mentors.
- Student-to-student interaction in on-line forums moderated by mentors.
Distance Education students pursuing a Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MATS) degree have the added benefits of completing:
- A ministry integration project known as the Capstone.
- Three one-week residencies.
The Distance Education program is accredited, so the courses taken can be applied toward a degree at Covenant Seminary or may be transferred to another institution. (Please consult with the receiving institution.)
Whether you plan to come to the campus for full-time study in the future, or simply want to enrich your life and ministry through seminary training from home, we invite you to become a Covenant Seminary student where you are.
Contact us for general information regarding the Distance Education program and application procedures or call the Admissions Office at 1.800.264.8064.
Degree Programs and Planning
All of Covenant Seminary's degree programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Admission into a degree program at Covenant Seminary is required to participate in Distance Education, and all Distance Education students are subject to the same registration, admissions, and academic requirements as on-campus students. Distance learning students also have privileges for all appropriate services at the Seminary, including advisory and administrative support, academic counseling, and financial aid.
Distance Education students can enroll in the following degree programs:
- Master of Arts (Theological Studies)(MATS)
- Master of Divinity (MDiv)*
- M.A. in Educational Ministries (MAEM)*
- Graduate Certificate (GC)
- Continuing Education Opportunities
* MDiv and MAEM may be started via Distance Education but must be completed on campus.
Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MATS)
The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MATS) provides Biblical and theological training that equips lay people to bring an informed Christian perspective to a variety of occupations and non-ordained ministries (e.g,, Bible study group leaders, teachers, church and parachurch staff workers). Admission to the MATS program requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university. Graduation requires 60 semester hours of study.
A student may complete the entire MATS through Distance Education. To do so, students must complete 60 semester-hours of study, including three one-week residencies and a final Capstone project in which students integrate their studies with their ministry contexts. For each class, students will be paired with a mentor, who will serve as a study and accountability partner.
Degree, Course, and Text Information (PDF format)
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
TThe Master of Divinity (MDiv) program is a professional degree preparing students for pastoral ministry, as well as for other ordained and non-ordained ministries. This degree offers students the greatest vocational flexibility. Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university. Graduation from the M.Div. requires 103 semester-hours of study, including both Greek and Hebrew languages.
Because we believe that the best and most complete training for ordained ministry takes place in a setting where godly leadership is modeled and where students may come to know Jesus more intimately through personal interaction with such leaders, the complete MDiv degree is not offered through Distance Education. We generally encourage students interested in pursuing the MDiv to do so on campus. However, it is possible to begin the degree via Distance Education before finishing the program on campus. Up to 30 hours of this degree may be completed through Distance Education. Doing so will allow students to complete the degree with two or three years of study at the main campus, rather than three or four.
Degree, Course, and Text Information (PDF format)
Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (MAEM)
The Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (MAEM) is designed to equip individuals serving in roles that complement the work of the pastor. Core MAEM courses give students a foundation in Bible, theology, and educational theory. As with the MDiv, it is generally preferable to participate in the full MAEM program through on-campus study. But, because this degree is designed to assist people who are often actively involved in ministry, a significant portion of the MAEM may be completed through Distance Education by choosing the Co-op Track.
Through the Co-op Track, students may complete one academic year of study at Covenant Seminary's main campus (St. Louis) and complete the remaining requirements via Distance Education courses from an internship site outside St. Louis. During both years of study, students will be required to be part of a cohort group, which will maintain contact through various technologies. Additionally, MAEM students may take up to 15 units of study through Distance Education before transitioning to the St. Louis campus to finish the remainder of the MAEM as Local Track students. For more information about the Co-op Track, contact the Admissions office.
Degree, Course, and Text Information (PDF format)
Graduate Certificate (GC)
The Graduate Certificate (GC) provides Biblical and theological training that equips lay people to bring an informed Christian perspective to a variety of occupations and non-ordained ministries. This non-degree option provides students the opportunity to pursue graduate theological study without commitment to a full degree. Admission to the Graduate Certificate program requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university. Graduation from the program requires 30 hours of study, all of which can be completed through Distance Education. Courses taken for the Graduate Certificate may be transferred to a master's degree with faculty approval.
Degree, Course, and Text Information (PDF format)
Continuing Education Opportunities
One important way in which Covenant Seminary seeks to prepare servants of the triune God to be rooted in grace for a lifetime of ministry is by offering a variety of continuing education opportunities. From weekend and week-long classes to conferences and special publications to advanced degree programs, the goal of all our continuing education opportunities is to help you be more effective in the ministry setting to which the Lord has called you. For more information, please contact our Admissions office.
Find out more about Continuing Education Opportunities at Covenant Seminary.
Online Registration
Online registration and payment are now available to students through the Student Portal. Distance Education students who have taken at least one class through the Seminary can use the online registration and payment options.
Download instructions for using Online Registration.
Download Portal login Instructions.
As an alternative to online registration, a printable Registration Form for Distance Education classes is also available. Students can use this form to mail, fax, or phone a registration request to the Distance Education Office. You must be an accepted student before beginning your studies. If you have not yet been accepted to the Seminary, please contact our Admissions Office.
Degree, Course, and Text Information (PDF format)
Download Distance Education Catalog (PDF format)
