Southern Seminary offers several course formats so online students can complete their degree with flexibility. Most courses run in the eight-week online format, with additional options described below. Contact Academic Advising (academicadvising@sbts.edu) with any questions about course planning.
How to identify course formats in MySBTS: Look for the course suffix when registering. WW is fully online (8-week or 16-week), MD is traditional modular, XMD is experiential modular, CT is a conference course, and LS is live seminary. Check dates carefully, since a 16-week WW course spans two terms.
8-Week Online Courses
MySBTS: WW
Our online courses are purposefully designed for the digital classroom. As an online student, you’ll enjoy a consistent and engaging learning experience—with interactive content, regular live sessions with faculty, and a thoughtfully paced workload designed to support your success.
These courses are asynchronous, with about five or six live sync sessions and assignments due each week.
8-week courses are offered across all six terms throughout the year, and this is where you’ll find the widest selection of courses. Most students take one or two courses per term.
16-Week Online Courses
MySBTS: WW
Some online courses are always 16 weeks:
- Practicums (Christian Teaching,
- Preaching, Biblical Counseling)
- Beginning languages (Beginning Greek, Intro to Greek Exegesis, Beginning Hebrew, Intro to Hebrew Exegesis)
In addition to these courses, we now offer 16-week versions of select core courses. These have the same content as the 8-week version, just expanded. The course schedule follows the 8-week term calendar, so if there is a break week between terms, there is a break week in the course.
Traditional Modular Courses
MySBTS: MD
The Modular course format provides online students the opportunity to come to campus for three days to earn course credit, participate in campus life, and strengthen relationships with faculty and fellow online students.
These courses consist of seven weeks of online content in addition to one weekend on campus. Some content you would normally cover online will be delivered in person during that weekend. You are responsible for your own lodging, travel, and meals.
You will meet in person on a pre-determined Friday (12-8 p.m.) & Saturday (8-5 p.m.) during the term. The dates will vary by course and the term.
Experiential Modular Courses
MySBTS: XMD
Experiential modular courses are enhanced modular classes that include 3 days on the campus of Southern Seminary. These courses are designed exclusively for online students to provide a chance to experience campus and strengthen relationships. All lodging and meals are included in the regular price of tuition.
Monday through Wednesday of a predetermined week are spent on campus with in-person class sessions, catered meals together with other online students, chapel, a late-night event, guest speakers, and dedicated time for community.
Your hotel lodging at the Legacy Hotel and all meals are completely covered. The only thing you pay for is getting
here.
Students who have attended the event in the past share that every online student should take at least one experiential modular. Register for these at our experiential modular page instead of MySBTS so we can
track lodging, dietary needs, and other details.
Live Seminary Courses
MySBTS: LS
These follow the 8-week format, but the instruction is primarily live and synchronous. Instead of five or six supplemental live syncs, you will have dedicated live meetings each week where the content is delivered in real time.
You are required to attend every session. The schedule will be posted when you register so you know the commitment upfront. These are limited offerings throughout the year, not a path for your entire degree.
We are not reducing our standard 8-week offerings. Think of these as an additional option if your schedule allows it.
On-Campus Courses
As an online student, you have the option of taking an on-campus course if you are in the area or able to travel. A few common options:
Evening MDiv classes (MySBTS: E) meet six times throughout the on-campus semester (Monday or Tuesday from 6–10 p.m.). Most content is delivered in person, with some supplemental online lectures in the off weeks. These follow the on-campus semester calendar, which runs on a slightly different schedule than the online terms.
Winter and Spring intensives meet Monday through Friday, approximately 8-5 p.m., for one full week. Fully on-campus, no online content. Usually 2–3 of these are offered per year. You are responsible for your own lodging and meals.
Traditional semester-long courses are also available if the travel and logistics work for your situation. These follow the standard on-campus semester schedule.
To register, fill out the course change form with the class you would like to take.
Conference Courses
MySBTS: CT
A limited number of courses are offered
throughout the year, tied to specific
conferences and workshops. Examples include:
- The Duck and Goose Conference
- SBC annual meeting
- Preaching and Biblical Counseling
workshops with visiting speakers
These require attending the conference or workshop, and completing additional assignments and coursework that count toward an elective or core requirement. Availability varies, so check our conference courses page for current offerings.
Ministry Apprenticeship Program
Courses: 44790, 44915, 44936
Church Partnerships are designed to come alongside the training already happening in local churches. If you are serving in a ministry role at your church, whether that is an internship, residency, or staff position, the Ministry Apprenticeship Program lets that supervised ministry experience count for academic credit toward your degree.
To participate, a pastor or church leader at your church must first connect with Southern Seminary and establish a partnership agreement. Once that partnership is in place, you can enroll in MAP courses.
Visit our Church Partnerships page for more information, or fill out an inquiry form and our Director of Church and Alumni Engagement, Blake Burris (bburris@sbts.edu), will be in contact.