- Mobile Sites - Immersions

Immersions have two features built in when it comes to the mobile nature of the locations:

1) students can take classes for convenience, close to home and in their community. This student is interested in convenience and is drawn to the simplicity of a hybrid program that is in their backyard and in their ministry context. They want to be formed by their education in a way that will help them in practical ministry or in preparation for ordination.

2) students can take classes for experiences, traveling to cities they've never seen. This student is interested in travel and is probably drawn to social media, sharing their experiences. They want rigorous study, but they also want an experience that will not only form friendship but teach them how to build relationships across the nation.

In either respect, the in-person requirement of all hybrid offerings is turned into an opportunity. At Perkins, we've taken what the marketplace considers a 'bug' embedded in hybrid and we have turned that 'bug' into a 'feature.'

- Context Matters - Immersions

Immersion content is formed by its location in a ministry context. Unlike "intensives" which expect the student to come to the seminary, Perkins is positioning itself as the school of theology that comes to you. There is a perception in the church today that seminaries are cold and aloof; completely detached from the needs of a congregation. At Perkins, we are taking a step toward bridging that gap, holding our immersions in the places ministry is actually being done.

Online/In-Person Balance

With almost 80% of instruction happening online, Perkins' hybrid strikes the perfect balance of being maximally accessible, while at the same time requiring the ideal amount of in-person instruction for a distance-learning degree. 

Generally, students can expect to make 1-2 trips for immersion courses each year. This is significantly less than our competitors who require more and, at the same time, it is more substantive than our competitors who only require one ore two in-person intensives for a full degree.

Relational Bridge-building

One key reason students attend seminary is to bridge relationships outside of their immediate social circle and expand their vocational network. The structure of the hybrid program will stretch students to create and maintain relationships across the country. Additionally, immersions offer students an opportunity for friendship in a way only travel can elicit.

Secondly, the world needs bridge builders--folks who can work across difference and division--and the Perkins hybrid is well situated to address that need. With immersion contexts that change from course to course, students will be exposed to many different methods of theological reflection in a condensed period of time. 

Established Brand

Southern Methodist University and Perkins School of Theology have a well established brand identity. There is a reputation that precedes our degrees and programing, purely because of the name they carry.

This alone is not enough to sway a student's decision, but now that hybrid has even the playing field with our direct competitors, our brand is a differentiator against our younger and less nationally recognized competitors.

Nationally Recognized Faculty

Faculty are often a deciding factor for students that are considering theological education. Knowing that online and immersion courses will be taught by our nationally recognized faculty is a huge benefit, especially for the student who is trying to decide between a hybrid program and an 100% online program. With Perkins' hybrid, students have an opportunity to study with academic researchers who are experts in their field. 

Affordability and Stipends

At Perkins School of Theology, we have some of the most competitive scholarship opportunities for students available. We are careful to avoid language that we have seen from competitors, highlighting that our degrees are "free" as this draws a "cheap" association.

Rather, we highlight that the application is free and share with students that "100% of masters degree students receive scholarships." The aim is to encourage students to complete their application. 

Stipends are being offered though, at this stage, they are reserved for residential students.

Alumni Network

Of the five largest United Methodist/Methodist churches in the U.S., four of them are led by Perkins graduates. We have an opportunity to highlight the success and faithfulness of our alumni when we work to attract prospective students, but further we can leverage our alumni’s networks and voices to reach additional prospective students.