Western Seminary

Western Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning

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Western Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) provides seminary-level technology-mediated education to both resident and non-resident students. The Center’s academic programs include seminary courses for students who have been admitted to degree, diploma or certificate programs, and enrichment (not-for-credit) courses for those who desire advanced ministry training for their own personal growth and development.

Historically, Western has been a pioneer in external education, introducing video courses in the early 1980s. Today the Center for Lifelong Learning offers a wide variety of learning options, including CD ROM/Internet, video and audio courses. Those who benefit from external studies include: pastors and other church personnel seeking on-the-job training; missionaries satisfying mission board requirements or continuing education needs; prospective pastors, missionaries, and others considering full-time ministry; future and current resident seminary students; lay leaders, teachers, and workers desiring in-depth biblical and theological training, and those with a course-specific interest.

External students have many educational options from which to choose. For graduate credit, students may:

Use external studies to supplement the residential component of their degree program, as long as at least 30 hours of either a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts program are completed via residential studies. This option is ideal for students who desire to begin, continue or finish their seminary studies at a location that precludes attendance at a Western Seminary campus. (This option is dependent upon the availability of appropriate courses, which are selected with the approval of the program advisor.) For more information on residency requirements, please see page 28.
Earn a Graduate Diploma, the equivalent of one full year of resident study. Some diplomas may be earned entirely through distance education. Courses taken toward these diplomas may apply to other Western educational programs. Students interested in such application should consult the Admissions Office.
Earn a 16-hour Graduate Studies Certificate. Some certificates may be earned entirely through distance education. Courses taken toward these certificates may apply to other Western education programs.
Complete CD Rom/Internet, video and audio courses on a course-by-course basis. Western Seminary courses address many of the most important areas of the Christian life and ministry preparation and will help any individual grow in grace and in truth. Christian school teachers in the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) should check with their ACSI offices to ensure that CLL courses will satisfy certification requirements in Bible and professional studies.

Admissions and Administrative Information
Students seeking to take Western’s external courses for credit must meet the general admission standards for Western Seminary as described on pages 18-19 of this catalog. To apply for admission, students must complete a credit application and submit appropriate fees. Western’s Admissions Office reviews all applications and recommends approval for graduate study.

Students approved for external studies for credit may take up to twelve semester hours before applying to enter a specific degree or certificate program through Western Seminary. Students should contact the Admissions Office for specific details before enrollment.

Those students desiring to complete courses on an enrichment (non-credit) basis complete an enrichment registration form, but are not subject to the general admissions process due to their non-credit status. Enrichment students do not earn seminary credit and their work does not apply toward seminary degrees or graduate certificates.

Tuition and fees for external courses

Credit application fee (one-time)	$50
Credit tuition, per hour, all distance education students	$380
Non-Credit (Audit and Enrichment) tuition, per unit	$120

Tuition and fees do not include the costs for textbooks. For complete details, consult the Center for Lifelong Learning.

While Western’s external courses have been accepted by a number of other schools as transfer credit, this decision is always at the discretion of the receiving school. Students seeking such an application should consult the admissions office of their chosen institution before enrolling in external courses from Western or any other seminary.

All students taking external courses for credit have their work rigorously evaluated by assigned personnel from the faculty and staff of Western Seminary. Graduate performance equal to resident student levels is expected of external students.

Churches and other organizations form study groups for the purpose of completing one or more of Western’s video courses. Please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning for information on study group formation, locations, and related materials.

For complete details on diploma and certificate programs, call Western’s Center for Lifelong Learning at 1-800-893-8567 or 503-517-1900, or write:

Western Seminary
Center for Lifelong Learning
5511 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97215-3367
cll@westernseminary.edu

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