July 20, 2007 | By Gary D. Myers
NEW ORLEANS – The main accrediting agency for theological education in North America approved the creation of two learning “hubs” for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) approved the seminary’s plans to enhance and enlarge the extension centers in Atlanta and Orlando. These enhanced regional centers, called “hubs” by the seminary, will allow extension students to earn more of their degree away from the main campus in New Orleans.
In the past students had to earn 30 hours of on-campus credit at the main campus in New Orleans – a costly endeavor for students from South Florida and Georgia. Under the new plan, extension students only have to earn 12 hours of credit in New Orleans. Up to 18 hours taken at one of the regional hubs will be counted as “on-campus credit.”
Extension center students can also choose to earn all or most of their on-campus credit on the main campus in New Orleans. According to NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke, some extension students will find that earning credit in New Orleans will remain the most cost effective option. For others, like those in South Florida and Georgia, the hubs will offer significant travel savings.
Due to the seminary’s commitment to New Orleans and the city’s on-going recovery efforts, the plan calls for students to complete at least one three-hour mission or disaster relief course in New Orleans. This New Orleans-based mission component will continue after the recovery is complete.
The seminary will place additional faculty members in the regional hubs and enhance student services. Increased course offerings at the hubs will include workshop courses during some semester breaks.
The hubs will offer the basic master of divinity degree, the master of divinity church ministry track and the basic master of arts in Christian education. The Atlanta hub has been approved for one addition degree offering – the master of arts in worship studies.
The master of arts degree in worship studies is a 53-hour degree that prepares individuals to serve as worship ministers in a local church. Foundational courses offering a broad theological understanding complement in-depth courses in worship planning and worship leadership.
The seminary’s other master of divinity specializations and master of arts in Christian education concentrations will only be offered on the main campus.
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