Distance Learning

In order to meet the need of men who desire to pursue the B.D., M.Div., or M.M.R.E. degrees, but are unable to relocate to Greenville for their full course of study, the Seminary provides for this education under the guidance and assistance of approved local mentors. For all mentors and students, the following guidelines apply:

1. All students seeking credit from GPTS must make regular application for admission to the Seminary. In addition, each non-resident student must a) be under care of Presbytery prior to matriculation, b) have the formal approval of his overseeing Presbytery to study via the Mentor Program (letters from Presbytery must accompany application), and c) attend orientation on campus in the Fall semester of his 1st year.
2. All students applying for the distance program must explain their reason for studying by distance in a letter accompanying their application.
3. The tuition rate for non-resident students is higher than that of the residents students. In addition, several of the fees still apply (e.g., the Field Education Fee, and the $10 mentor fee per credit hour). The rate of tuition for all Mentor Students is as follows: $200 per credit hour.
4. The student is to follow the course syllabus of the degree programs as they are taught at the Seminary. He will use either internet-based class participation or other media (CD, DVD, VHS) as part of his study. The student is expected to complete all the regular assignments of the course. The mentor has the freedom to require reading and writing assignments in addition to those specified in the syllabus for each course, in order to round out the work done by the student. This will compensate in part for the student’s inability to participate in the regular give-and-take of the classroom environment.
5. The regular gpts faculty will grade all examinations and papers required by each course syllabus.
6. At least one year of study for the B.D./M.Div. (no fewer than 24 credit hours) must be completed in residence at gpts. This requirement does not apply to M.M.R.E. students.
7. With the exception of the resident 24 credit hours, the course work for the degree must be completed in no more than eight (8) years (approximately 16 credit hours per year). For the M.M.R.E., the student has a maximum of five (5) years to complete the degree.
8. The student who desires to meet the residency requirement by attending intensive on-campus courses, must take one intensive course per year and average another 16 credit hours per year.
9. Mentor students who have not completed 31 credit hours by the end of the second year will be dropped from the program. These limits may only be extended by faculty vote.

The Seminary has several approved mentors who serve students in their areas. Please contact the Director of Distance Education at the Seminary office to inquire whether there is currently an approved mentor in your area. Local pastors may inquire about being accepted as mentors.

At the invitation of several churches in the United States and Canada, the Seminary is offering some courses by extension. Members of the regular Seminary Faculty, as well as qualified ministers, will be teaching the courses. As with the mentor program, all students seeking credit from gpts must make regular application for admission to the Seminary. Please contact the Seminary for details.

Greenville Seminary has begun using broadband internet broacasting of select classes. Qualified students are able to participate in the class interactively. If the remote site has installed the recommended equipment and has a broadband internet connection, the student can expect acceptable video along with high-quality audio. There may be a slight transmission delay. Students participating by interactive conferencing will be provided course materials by the individual course instructor. There is a technology fee for students participating via the digital classroom. A project description with further details is available from the Seminary office. For details on technical requirements and set-up, please email technical@gpts.edu.