The landscape of graduate theological education has shifted dramatically in the past decade, and Claremont School of Theology (CST) has been ahead of the curve. So, does CST teach all its courses online now? The short answer: No. While CST has fully embraced cutting-edge remote learning technologies, CST is not an online school. It also remains committed to in-person education that brings students together on our new Los Angeles campus, in Westwood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Evolution of Theological Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Theological education is not what it used to be\u2014and that’s a good thing. Those who attended CST in the past may wonder: Is doing religious education through distance learning really a good thing? We understand that concern. But the reality is, today\u2019s students are different than ever before. They are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and ministries in ways that make a fully residential program unrealistic. That\u2019s why CST is adapting\u2014embracing flexibility while maintaining the academic rigor and spiritual depth that have always defined us. Gone are the days when students had to uproot their lives, move across the country, and commit to rigid classroom schedules in order to earn a degree. Today, students expect flexibility, accessibility, and a seamless integration of digital and physical learning experiences. At CST, we\u2019ve been refining our approach to distance education for over a decade, making us one of the pioneers in theological education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why Did CST Move to West Los Angeles?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our decision to relocate to west Los Angeles was strategic, forward-thinking, and necessary. With the sale of our Claremont campus, we needed a space that aligned with our evolving identity\u2014a place that could support our hybrid learning model while still offering students a physical location for meaningful engagement. West Los Angeles provides the perfect setting, placing us in a dynamic, accessible urban hub while allowing us to focus our resources on what matters most: education, community, and mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Power of Distance Learning\u2014Done Right<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s be clear: CST doesn\u2019t just \u201coffer online courses.\u201d We\u2019ve designed a hybrid model that integrates the best of digital learning with essential in-person experiences. Our approach includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Role of Intensive Weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But CST is not just a Zoom-based school. A crucial part of our hybrid model is our\u00a0intensive weeks<\/strong>\u2014structured in-person gatherings where students come together for deep learning, faculty mentorship, and cohort-building. These intensive sessions take place on our west LA campus and serve as an essential counterbalance to remote learning. They allow students to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Future of CST\u2019s Learning Model<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The question isn\u2019t whether CST will continue offering distance education courses\u2014it\u2019s how we\u2019ll keep innovating. The world has changed, and theological education must change with it. Our hybrid model isn\u2019t just a temporary response to shifting trends; it\u2019s the future of theological training. CST remains committed to excellence in both digital and in-person education, ensuring that students receive the best of both worlds.So, does CST teach all its courses online? No. What we do is something better: we blend cutting-edge distance education with in-person, immersive learning experiences that create a richer, more adaptable, and more inclusive seminary education.Theological education is evolving, and CST is leading the way. Just like we always have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Horswill-Johnston Behind the Scenes at CST: The Second in an Occasional Series The landscape of graduate theological education has shifted dramatically in the past decade, and Claremont School of Theology (CST) has been ahead of the curve. So, does CST teach all its courses online now? The short answer: No. While CST has fully embraced cutting-edge […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":45137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[417,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behind-the-scenes","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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Executive Vice President of Operations, Communications & Advancement (COO)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"