Southern Seminary hosted students from 20 states for the first Experiential Modular. These 8-week online courses bring students to campus for three days to engage face-to-face with their professors, connect with peers, and participate in campus activities.
Brian Renshaw, Associate Vice President for the Global Campus at SBTS, says the new Experiential Modular courses combine the flexible and relational components of education many online students seek. “The Experiential Modular offers online students a unique chance to visit campus for three days and earn course credit, all while Southern Seminary covers their hotel and meals,” Renshaw said. “Before and after their visit, students will complete coursework online. The on-campus experience aims to immerse students in the classroom with their professor and other students, experience campus life, and foster stronger connections with faculty and fellow online students.”
The Experiential Modulars emerged because distance students may need help connecting with the campus community and cultivating meaningful relationships with professors and students. Renshaw says intentional time on campus through these Experiential Modular courses makes flexible education more than just watching lectures.
“While the flexibility of online education is great, it is difficult to establish and continue meaningful relationships purely through online classes,” Renshaw said. “Often, online students feel isolated in their studies because they are the only ones pursuing any sort of theological education in their lives. Additionally, fostering a meaningful relationship with the professor is difficult in the online context. We needed a way to provide opportunities for students to gather and form meaningful connections with faculty, other students, and Southern Seminary. We wanted to create an opportunity beyond just attending in-class lectures.
The inaugural classes for the Fall 1 term successfully met these goals, and students commended their time on campus. “Connecting with other students and the professor through real discussion in the classroom was a night and day difference from merely studying online,” said Zach Kelly, an M.Div. student from St. Augusta, Florida.
Emily May, of Milledgeville, Georgia, enrolled in Jeremy Pierre’s course “Practical Theology in Context.” She said the time on campus exceeded her expectations and was an excellent option for pursuing a degree in biblical counseling in her context.
“I felt more connected to the seminary community than ever before,” May said. “The experience exceeded my expectations.”
Renshaw anticipates similar responses and participation in the next on-campus portions of the Experiential Modulars. He encourages all distance learning students to register for an Experiential Modular course to enhance their online education. “This is a great opportunity for students to supplement their online education,” Renshaw said. “Talking with students who just attended our first one, all of them said something to the effect that they felt more connected with other students. They were encouraged by the classes and the time provided to connect with other students who are taking online courses and engaging in various ministries.”
Southern Seminary offers Experiential Modular courses in Fall 2, Spring 1, and Spring 2 over the next year. You can find more information and register here.