Institute of Theological Studies
The Institute of Theological Studies (ITS) is a cooperative program involving several evangelical seminaries. Courses are offered on MP3/Data CDs which contain audio lectures by biblical scholars. Course requirements include textbook assignments, collateral reading, research papers, and examinations, all of which are outlined in the syllabus. The Seminary reserves the right to adjust ITS syllabi as appropriate. Courses are taken within a normal Fall, Spring or Summer semester. Courses may be taken for elective credit only and may not be used to replace required courses unless approved by the Registrar.
Regular credit tuition and fees are charged for each course, plus an additional $80 materials fee for the lecture materials which become the property of the student. ITS course materials are ordered upon receipt of tuition and fees, and are non-refundable once ordered. ITS courses cannot be added after the start of the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to locate and purchase all required textbooks, as the Phoenix Seminary Bookstore will not order textbooks for ITS Courses.
A proctor (usually a resident faculty member) will be assigned to the student for each course. The proctor is available to answer any course-related questions and to grade assignments. Mid-term and Final exams must be taken on the Seminary campus by arrangement with the proctor.
Distance Learning
Distance learning is defined as any course which is completed apart from the physical classroom environment and includes independent studies, individualized studies and transfer credit from other institutions that includes online, video, or audio courses. A maximum of 24 credits in the MDiv, 16 credits in the MABL, and 8 credits in the Graduate Diploma program may be completed through distance learning.
Phoenix Seminary launched limited involvement in online learning by offering its first course during the 2010–11 academic year. The faculty have approved 22 credits of core Master of Divinity courses which could by offered on-line without compromising the Seminary’s philosophy of education (which remains focused on face-to-face instruction and ministry formation in traditional classroom settings). Because the development of quality, graduate-level online courses is both expensive and time consuming, we will move forward in this area slowly and carefully over several years. Online courses offered by Phoenix Seminary will meet all applicable regulations of Federal and State agencies and the criteria of our professional and regional accrediting agencies.
