Atlanta, Santa Barbara, and Seattle Sites

Earn a certificate or start on a master's degree

Through our innovative regional programs, you can now take class where you live, work, and worship in Atlanta, Santa Barbara, or Seattle.

Foundational Courses Certificate

This four-course certificate is designed for those who are starting seminary studies or who are involved in the credentialing process with the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). You will take courses in church history, theology, Old Testament, and New Testament.

Master's Degrees

All of the classes in the Foundational Courses Certificate program can be a head start on one of these master's degrees from NPTS:

• Master of Divinity
• Master of Arts in Christian Formation
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

In order to complete a degree, you can continue coursework through a combination of online and on-campus classes. Depending on the degree, you will only need to complete 14 to 30 credit hours in Chicago to fulfill residency requirements. Contact Seminary admissions for more information about this option.

ECC Credentialing

For those interested in pursuing credentialed ministry with the ECC, the four foundational courses fulfill part of the basic requirements for licensing and ordination. Note that these are not the same as those offered for Covenant Orientation. For more information about seeking a permanent credential with the ECC, please contact the Department of the Ordered Ministry.

Apply Today

Choose from several program options:

• To take these courses toward one of our regular degree programs, follow our normal application process.
• To enter as a visiting student, receiving credit but initially without pursuing a particular program, complete our simplified visiting student application.
• If receiving credit isn't a priority for you, complete the visiting student application (no need to submit transcripts) to audit a course for personal enrichment.

Priority Application Deadlines

• March 31 (for Fall courses)
• December 1 (for Spring courses)
• Full application timeline

Program Information

Course Format

Fall courses are in session from the beginning of the academic term in August through December each year. Spring courses are in session from January through May. You must register before the start of each semester.

Regional courses are a hybrid of online and intensive study, with coursework beginning at the start of each term:

• Pre-class: Reading, papers, exams, and ministry-related discussion with your professor and peers
• Classroom instruction: Three to five full days of intensive lectures and interaction
• Post-class: Papers, exams, and ministry-related projects to solidify what you've been learning

Tuition

We are pleased to offer a special introductory rate for the 2011-2012 regional courses:

• To take courses for academic credit, you can take advantage of a 40 percent discount off regular tuition, paying only $882 per course
• To audit a course for personal enrichment (without academic credit), we offer a discounted price of $125 per course

For those who continue studies to become degree-seeking students, regular tuition rates will apply. You may, however, be eligible for scholarships, grants, or loans.

Regional Course Schedule

Atlanta

Location: New Life Covenant Church

Spring 2012 (January 17 to May 11, 2012)

• HSTY 6210: Christian Tradition and Mission (Stephen Graham), intensive class meetings January 6-7 and February 17-18

Santa Barbara

Location: Community Covenant Church

Spring 2012 (January 17 to May 11, 2012)

• THEO 6330: Christian Theology (Stephen Bilynskyj), intensive class meeting March 15-17

Seattle

Location: Kent Covenant Church

Spring 2012 (January 17 to May 11, 2012)

• BIBL 5150: Interpreting the New Testament I (Jay Phelan), intensive class meeting February 9-11

Image credit: Konrad Summers