Common Questions About Admissions
What programs can I enroll in without a bachelor’s?
Many people who have grown in wisdom through life experience are ready to learn at the graduate level. Redemption allows students to audit any course at an extremely low price. They offer the same graduate-level course content without mentoring, grading, or earned credit. Admission exceptions to graduate programs may be considered on a limited basis for applicants who do not meet the bachelor’s degree requirement, but nevertheless, demonstrate academic readiness for graduate-level work in biblical studies. Applicants may contact the Academic Dean for an assessment of their prior learning to be considered for this type of exception.
If my undergraduate degree is in a field other than theology, can I be accepted?
Yes. Redemption's theological graduate degrees are within the discipline of the humanities, which doesn't require a related undergraduate degree.
Must I take an entrance exam like the GRE?
No. There are no entrance exams for the graduate programs. You can use the first course to determine if the program is a good fit for your situation.
Common Questions About Degree Programs
Is the program 100% online?
Yes. All courses may be taken 100% online. The goal is to train you to apply course content to current real-life situations.
How long does it take to earn a degree?
The Master of Arts degree is composed of 36 credits. The median time to complete is 2 years at a moderate pace for part-time study (taking one course per term with some breaks). Students can also work through the program at an accelerated pace by taking more than one course each term so it is possible to complete the program in one year. Students are welcome to work at an extended pace as well. For example, a student could take two courses a year and finish in five years. (See the How Do Courses Work page.)
Is Redemption Seminary accredited?
Yes! Redemption Seminary is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I transfer credits from other schools?
Yes. Redemption accepts transfer credit for similar graduate-level courses as Redemption offers. Transfer credit may be considered for approval during the application process. Students may transfer a maximum of 50% of the credits for an individual program.
What is the benefit for ordained pastors without a college or seminary degree?
Redemption Seminary was designed with this type of person in mind. We have been working out a clear path to accept students who didn't go to college but have clearly shown that they have trained themselves to "reason as an adult" (as Paul says 1 Cor 13:11). There are three primary benefits:
- Pastors receive refined teaching and nourishment that comes from a formally structured graduate degree program taught by the most preeminent teachers in the world.
- A degree that communicates the depth of your study and accomplishment testified by a third party. This can be helpful when changing careers or moving into a ministry that requires such a degree (e.g., hospital chaplains, etc.)
- Enrolling in such a program will bless your congregation. They will see the impact of your study and a great role model in you from your willingness to be taught by others.
How does a Redemption degree help my life and my service to others?
The projects within Redemption Seminary courses prompt you to apply what you are learning to your real life. Ministry happens everywhere, and you don't have to wait to graduate to start applying what you are learning. The courses are designed to impact your life and those around you as you work through them. Discussion about this type of application is part of your mentor sessions. Feedback from those you are touching in your life is part of your portfolio. This type of impact is a demonstration of competency in a more profound way than taking a test.
Common Questions About Tuition
Why is the program cost so low?
Redemption Seminary is committed to keeping the cost of education reasonably priced.
Redemption Seminary has an innovative model to ensure a quality education at a reasonable price. We challenge every aspect of the educational experience, seeking the most efficient way to facilitate your learning and spiritual growth. For example, this approach led to substantial savings by using recorded lectures and investing in personal mentoring instead. We also save by not owning and maintaining a physical campus.
In summary, Redemption Seminary can offer its programs for a far lower costs than traditional programs and includes far more (e.g., $23,500+ software package, personal mentoring, etc.) because it doesn’t have the campus and classroom obligations of a traditional school.
Redemption Seminary has an innovative model to ensure a quality education at a reasonable price. We challenge every aspect of the educational experience, seeking the most efficient way to facilitate your learning and spiritual growth. For example, this approach led to substantial savings by using recorded lectures and investing in personal mentoring instead. We also save by not owning and maintaining a physical campus.
In summary, Redemption Seminary can offer its programs for a far lower costs than traditional programs and includes far more (e.g., $23,500+ software package, personal mentoring, etc.) because it doesn’t have the campus and classroom obligations of a traditional school.
Do my course costs (tuition and fees) include access to all required textbooks?
Yes. Enrolling in a course includes access to all required textbooks, resources, and a reference library that has been designed to support your specific program.
Is tuition really lower than the cost of the included Logos Software package?
Yes. The retail cost of the Logos library used in the MABS program is over $23,500. You have access to this library during your program. After completing all of the MABS courses at Redemption Seminary, you will have your personal Logos library expanded with all the books and Mobile Ed courses that were included in your Redemption custom library that you didn’t already own. This even applies if you didn’t own any Logos product when you began your program. The goal is to ensure Redemption Seminary graduates are equipped with ministry resources and tools they learned to use in their program.
Do I get a discount if I already own Logos Bible Software?
No. Logos doesn't offer institutions dynamic pricing for resourcing students, so there isn't this type saving to pass along. You may save by canceling your personal Logos scription since Redemption provides Logos MAX to all active students. Logos cannot refund for subscriptions already purchased, but you can cancel renewals. Know that extensive personal Logos libraries will enhance your experience in the program in a way not available to people who are new to Logos. Your fees and tuition cover access to educational services and mentoring rather than being tied directly to individual Logos resources. (The seminary doesn't receive dynamic pricing for individual libraries from Logos, but we are thankful for the amazing package they provided so we could equip students.)
Does my spouse get a discount on the program if we share a single Logos library?
Yes. If you are working through a program with your spouse but using the same Logos library with the same Redemption Seminary library, your spouse is eligible for a discount. If you are using separate Logos libraries then there is no discount for your spouse. Redemption will provide separate library services and separate graduate gifts in that situation.
Can I get a refund if the program isn't the right fit for me?
Yes. The program is set up so you only pay for what you use. This means that in most cases there isn’t a need for a refund. However, if you stop using course materials or withdraw from a course part way through that course’s term, you will receive a prorated refund for the costs of that course. You can review the refund policy in the Course Catalog.
Common Questions About Courses
How does Redemption Seminary accommodate my preferred learning style?
As part of each program's attention to spiritual development, students build a self-description and analysis of their strengths, opportunities, and stumbling blocks. Mentor-professors use this report to tailor their assessment in terms of their growth in their affections, habits, and knowledge. This promotes holistic growth and acknowledge growth in areas that traditional educational assessments often overlook.
What if I'm not a good "test taker"?
Redemption Seminary doesn't use traditional tests. You are graded by properly completing a workbook (course portfolio) for each course. The activities in your portfolio connect your learning to your ministry. They also demonstrate your competency with the learning objectives for each part of the course and prepare you for mentor-sessions.
The weekly mentor-session is where your professor determines if you have met the objectives for the current unit in your portfolio. Like piano lessons, if you misunderstood an exercise or didn’t demonstrate competency, you may be asked to work further on a particular activity and provide an update in the following meeting.
Can my pastor be my mentor?
Yes. Your pastor or someone in your community who has a doctoral degree relating to theology (such as a D.Min. or Ph.D. in Theology) can be a mentor. Have them contact the academic dean to apply to become a mentor.
How do I work at my own pace?
Each graded course consists of two parts: a self-paced preparation period and a mentoring term. When you register for a course, you determine how long you want your preparation period to be by choosing to be mentored in the next available mentoring term (which can be as little as two weeks depending on the Academic Calendar) or the term after the next available one (providing more than 2 months of preparation.)
What is the typical weekly workload?
This varies for each student because you can work at your own pace.
If you choose to work through all the required course content within seven weeks, the average workload each week will be about 15 hours.
Approximate Time for Directed Activities- 3 hours of video lectures
- 6.5 hours of directed reading & activities
- 1/2 hour for the weekly mentor-session
- 1.5 hours of note-taking and lecture review
- 2.5 hour of independent reading
- 1 hour of organizing research and preparing for mentor session
How big will my classes be?
There will be many people working on the same course material as you, but you don't meet together as a class. Your only live meeting is the one-to-one weekly mentor sessions. So you get plenty of individual attention. There are discussion groups to online to interact with other students.
How well-known are the professors?
The professors in the recorded lectures are very well-known published scholars who have taught at major institutions. Logos Mobile Education provides professional video recordings of these professors teaching the content that they have perfected for their traditional seminary courses, and you have access to them as soon as you enroll.
The mentor-professors that you meet with one-to-one each week have doctoral degrees and teacher's hearts. Their focus is to get to know you and invest in your growth. So they may not be as well-known as the professors featured in the recorded lectures, but their job is to get to know you. The weekly mentor session is your time to talk and their time to listen and provide guidance.
The mentor-professors that you meet with one-to-one each week have doctoral degrees and teacher's hearts. Their focus is to get to know you and invest in your growth. So they may not be as well-known as the professors featured in the recorded lectures, but their job is to get to know you. The weekly mentor session is your time to talk and their time to listen and provide guidance.
What does a mentor session feel like?
Mentor sessions are a masterclass where you demonstrate your progress and receive direction from an expert in the field. Like a personal trainer or piano lesson teacher, your mentor-professor has the time to focus on furthering your understanding and spiritual growth.
You come to each session after being guided through several recorded lectures, readings, and work on a project. You are now ready to present your work, progress, and questions to your mentor. During the session, your mentor determines if you are ready to move on to the next unit or need to improve any work in previous lessons.
You are the primary speaker in the session and your task is to present how you have accomplished the learning objectives for the unit. The course portfolio guides you through the process of building this presentation for each unit by answering questions.
You come to each session after being guided through several recorded lectures, readings, and work on a project. You are now ready to present your work, progress, and questions to your mentor. During the session, your mentor determines if you are ready to move on to the next unit or need to improve any work in previous lessons.
You are the primary speaker in the session and your task is to present how you have accomplished the learning objectives for the unit. The course portfolio guides you through the process of building this presentation for each unit by answering questions.
Are accommodations for accessablity needs provided?
Yes. All lectures are transcribed and the low-stress work at your own pace model provides plentiful flexibility in this area.
What happens with my coursework after I finish the program?
This is an uncommon question. But perhaps it should be raised more frequently. Shouldn't all the work you have put into your study and program pay off with lasting results?
All the notes that you have generated in your digital books and reference material remain with you to enhance your continuing ministry efforts. You are welcome to make copies of your course portfolios and program portfolio at any time during your program. These documents can constitute an amazing ministry portfolio and that can continue to serve you after you graduate. Finally, you write a paper on a theological topic that is relevant to your ministry in the capstone directed study. This work of yours is a huge take-away for your effort throughout the program.
All the notes that you have generated in your digital books and reference material remain with you to enhance your continuing ministry efforts. You are welcome to make copies of your course portfolios and program portfolio at any time during your program. These documents can constitute an amazing ministry portfolio and that can continue to serve you after you graduate. Finally, you write a paper on a theological topic that is relevant to your ministry in the capstone directed study. This work of yours is a huge take-away for your effort throughout the program.
Common Questions About the Logos Library
Will I use Logos in every course?
Yes. Every course has Logos Mobile Ed lectures and readings. Assignments are geared to help you learn how to take advantage of Logos research tools.
I already have Logos. What does this mean for me?
Students receive access to the complete Redemption Seminary Biblical Studies library provisionally. When you complete all of the courses in the MABS program, Redemption give you all the books and resources in the Redemption Biblical Studies library that you didn't already own. If you disenroll from your Redemption Seminary program, you lose access to the Redemption Seminary Biblical Studies library without any effect on your original library.
Do students in the certificate program have access to Logos?
Yes. All enrolled students (including certificate program students) have access to the library, which is included as part of each course's content services fee and tuition. However, only students who complete all of the courses in the master's degree receive the Logos graduation gift which permanently confers any resources in the library that you didn't already own. When you graduate from a certificate program, you lose access to the Biblical Studies Logos package. Graduates of certificate programs can regain access to the package by enrolling in a degree program (certificate program courses can be transferred) or purchasing the library package from Redemption Seminary at a discounted rate (contact for pricing).
Do auditors get course materials and access to Logos?
Yes. Auditors have access to the custom Redemption library and Logos MAX. This access is provided through their course content services fee and ends when they stop auditing. Students continue auditing by extending services or auditing additional courses. Work completed in a supplied course portfolio can be used if the auditor decides to enroll in a Redemption program in the future.
What if I need customer support to use the software?
Logos will help. Your access to the Logos package grants you all the normal rights and privileges of any other Logos customer. All customer support and technical questions are handled directly by Logos (800-875-6467 or customerservice@logos.com).
In addition to these services, Redemption typically provides additional free Logos training classes to its students several times a year.
What is included in Redemption Seminary's Biblical Studies Logos Software package?
You can view a complete description of the package here: www.RedemptionSeminary.org/library
How do upgrades to new versions of Logos work?
All active students are provided with Logos MAX, which ensures that all students enjoy the latest features of Logos, including AI-enhanced searching and hundreds of additional books to use for research.
Common Questions About Doctrinal Positions and Denominational Affiliations
What is Redemption Seminary’s position on the infallibility of scripture?
Redemption Seminary holds a strong conservative position on the ultimate authority of scripture. We are committed to interpreting scripture according to the inspired author's intention and trust their infallible inspiration. Scripture is not a hostile witness to be deconstructed and reconstructed into a person's or movement's liking.
What particular theological or political positions does Redemption Seminary hold?
Redemption Seminary doesn't hold specific theological, social, or political positions outside of the Statement of Faith and resultant issues mentioned in the student handbook. Redemption Seminary does not attempt to adjudicate, support, or suppress specific interpretations and theological positions within the Christian faith tradition.
Do students have to sign an affirmation to Redemption's Statement of Faith?
Yes. Students affirm the statement of faith in the application process. This allows other students to assume that their peers share their faith. Students are provided the theological freedom to disagree with the theological positions taught by lecture-professors or held by mentor-professors.
Is Redemption Seminary affiliated with a denomination?
No. Redemption Seminary is interdenominational, meaning that it allows denominations to trumpet their distinctive traditions while providing professors the theological and academic freedoms they enjoy at their home institutions. This is accomplished through the mentor-professors that students select, and denominations recommend. You can select a mentor-professor that is part of your denomination and will guide you through interactions with the lectures accordingly.
What are the denominational affiliations of the lecturers?
The lecture-professors are well-known scholars in the evangelical tradition. A quick web search on their names will give you an idea of where they are coming from doctrinally. Good professors make it a priority to present various scholarly points of view within their area of expertise. So even if you have a different denominational affiliation than the scholar providing the course lectures, you will hear a fair presentation of the major positions within each topic.
Where can I find the Seminary’s Statement of Faith?
You can find the seminary’s Statement of Faith and in the Student Handbook, which also contains the seminary’s core values and code of conduct that are based on Christian values.