Feeling hesitant about going back to school after many years? At Southern Seminary Online, we understand your concerns and fears. Many of our students have not attended school in decades and juggle full-time jobs, ministry responsibilities, and family commitments. You’re exactly the kind of student our program was designed for.
We know you desire rigorous academic training grounded in theological truth. Our courses provide the depth and rigor you expect, but we’ve carefully designed them to ensure that every student, regardless of background, can succeed. You can do this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
What sets Southern Seminary Online apart from other schools?
How Southern Seminary Online Helps You Get Started
Manageable Workload
- Start your seminary journey confidently by enrolling in one eight-week course at a time, allocating about 10 hours per week. This balance allows you to handle your coursework alongside your personal and professional life effectively.
- Our Instructional Designers work with professors to make each week’s workload as consistent as possible so you can plan out your studies.
- Courses provide professionally recorded lectures to cover course content. These lectures are available four weeks before the class starts, allowing students flexibility to watch when they have time.
Immediate Support and Guidance
- From day one, you will have clear guidance through structured courses with resources designed specifically for you as an online student. Each course begins with a video tour that walks you through the course structure so you always know the next step.
- Courses include a pre-made student notes document corresponding directly to lectures, helping streamline note-taking and studying.
Flexible Course Formats for Your Life
- Our primary courses are structured in manageable 8-week terms. For additional flexibility, we offer select 16-week courses, allowing you to adapt your schedule as needed—whether you want to accelerate your progress or take a slower, steady pace during busier seasons.
- Students have the flexibility to work ahead and can generally continue participating in mission trips, full weeks of ministry, and family trips.
Personalized Resources to Ensure Your Success
Seamless Textbook Access
- All your textbooks are conveniently integrated into Logos Bible Software, accessible digitally so you never have to worry about obtaining physical copies.
- Additionally, as an active student, you have access to Logos Bible Software Max, which includes the best feature set they offer.
Dedicated Academic Advising and Coaching
- Our experienced academic advisors are here to help you select courses, develop your degree plan, and navigate your educational journey with personalized phone or Zoom consultations.
- Our academic coaches provide encouragement, assist with study habits, and offer consistent personal support throughout your journey.
Extensive Digital Library Resources
- Conduct research confidently from home with vast digital access to journals, PDF copies of books, and specialized resources. If you need physical resources, our librarians will provide scanned materials or mail books directly to you. Online students have the same access to library resources as residential students.
Expert Writing Support
- Our Writing Center staff will personally guide you in improving your writing skills, developing arguments, and properly formatting your assignments. Individualized Zoom sessions and draft reviews ensure you submit your best work.
How Quickly Can I Graduate?
- If you take one course each eight-week term, completing six courses annually, you could earn your Master of Divinity (84 credits) in about four and a half years. Master of Arts degrees require fewer credits, allowing even quicker completion.
- Taking a break when life demands is simple, stress-free, and penalty-free. While consistent progress is beneficial, your pace can be adjusted to your life’s needs.
Recommended First-Year Sequence
Most of our degree programs are intentionally designed to be flexible regarding the order in which you take your courses. To confidently start your academic journey, we recommend the following sequence:
- Biblical Hermeneutics – Essential for building strong interpretive skills, offered every term.
- Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey – Foundational courses that may be taken in any order.
- Personal Evangelism, Missiology, or Biblical Counseling – Practical, ministry-focused courses to complement your foundational studies.
- Church History and Systematic Theology – These courses enrich your theological understanding and historical context of the church.
At Southern Seminary Online, your calling matters deeply. We are fully committed to providing you with the rigorous education and comprehensive support you need to confidently pursue your ministry goals.