Virtual Campus Overview
The virtual program offers a wide variety of courses in the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts programs to people all across the globe. Through the virtual campus you can be involved in a community that will provide the academic challenge and excellence expected from Asbury's outstanding faculty, while growing spiritually through prayer and study with peers around the world.
United Methodist Commission of Theological Education Recommendation
The Administrator of the Division of Ordained Ministry has released a statement by the Commission of Theological Education giving their approval of the distance learning program (virtual campus) here at Asbury Seminary. To read the statement, click here.
"The position of The United Methodist Church is that, for students preparing for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, up to 2/3 of the MDiv degree program, 1/2 of the MA degree program, can be completed through Asbury's virtual program." - Joel Green, former Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The history of the virtual program stands on the strong foundations of Asbury Theological Seminary's history, tradition, vision and call by God to "spread Scriptural holiness throughout the world." Virtual learning began in the fall of 1997 with 18 students enrolled in three courses. Today there are over 950 students enrolling in more than 150 courses each year. Courses offered through the virtual campus are fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and we offer a variety of courses including core courses required for most of Asbury's programs, which are taught by our world-renowned faculty.
The virtual campus was created to expand Asbury Theological Seminary's educational mission to people across the globe. The need for a program such as the virtual campus has become increasingly great over the past decade. Individuals, churches and institutions continually look for others to partner with in order to help train pastors and lay persons alike for ministry in today's world. Asbury Theological Seminary's educational mission sees the world as our parish and the virtual campus is one avenue toward training people to "go forth" with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.