Is Everything Just Taught Online Now?

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 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.

The Evolution of Theological Education

Theological education is not what it used to be—and 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’s students are different than ever before. They are balancing careers, family responsibilities, and ministries in ways that make a fully residential program unrealistic. That’s why CST is adapting—embracing 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’ve been refining our approach to distance education for over a decade, making us one of the pioneers in theological education.

Why Did CST Move to West Los Angeles?

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—a 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.

The Power of Distance Learning—Done Right

Let’s be clear: CST doesn’t just “offer online courses.” We’ve designed a hybrid model that integrates the best of digital learning with essential in-person experiences. Our approach includes:

  • Synchronous and Asynchronous Courses – Students engage in real-time discussions with professors and peers while also having access to flexible, self-paced coursework.
  • State-of-the-Art Technology – Our hyflex courses use state-of-the-art technology.  What’s hyflex? They’re courses that bring students who come to the CST campus classrooms and students who attend remotely together. Our faculty leverage the latest innovations in virtual classrooms, interactive course design, and digital collaboration tools.
  • Global Access – Students from around the world—South Korea, Taiwan, India, the continent of Africa, and beyond—can now enroll in CST programs without the barriers of geography.

The Role of Intensive Weeks

But CST is not just a Zoom-based school. A crucial part of our hybrid model is our intensive weeks—structured 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:

  • Build meaningful relationships with professors and peers.
  • Participate in hands-on workshops, discussions, and spiritual formation.
  • Experience the kind of community that can only be fostered in person.
  • Embrace its teaching philosophy of contextual education, where students learn not just from textbooks, but from the land, the city around them, and the people they meet. These real-world experiences and relationships are a vital part of their education.

The Future of CST’s Learning Model

The question isn’t whether CST will continue offering distance education courses—it’s how we’ll keep innovating. The world has changed, and theological education must change with it. Our hybrid model isn’t just a temporary response to shifting trends; it’s 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.

Steve Horswill-Johnston
Executive Vice President of Operations, Communications & Advancement (COO)