Program Delivery and Learning Modalities

Degree programs delivery modes at CST

Claremont School of Theology offers degree programs designed to accommodate diverse learning styles through flexible delivery options. These options include:

  • LA Area-residency: This learning experience integrates intensive and weekly On Campus (in-person) learning with some online (synchronous or asynchronous)  learning. At least 50% of courses that La Area-residency students register for each semester must include On Campus learning. Students who attend CST as LA Area-residency students must live in close enough proximity to the CST Campus in Los Angeles to attend On Campus classes one to three days per week.
    • Note: CST does not maintain its own residence hall or student housing. Students are responsible for finding, applying for, securing, and paying for their own housing. 
    • Note: This modality is only available for students who are registered as full-time students, or a minimum of 9 credits for master’s students and 8 credits for doctoral students each semester. 
  • Low-Residency: This blended format combines online coursework with  intensive On-Campus courses, which are held for three to five consecutive days at the beginning of each semester; or by registering for and attending at least one course that includes weekly On Campus learning in addition to online coursework. This modality is available for both full-time and part-time students. 
  • Distance Education: This completely online program allows students to participate in classes either synchronously or asynchronously. This modality is available for both full-time and part-time students. 

Currently, all of CST’s degree programs can be completed through any of these delivery modes, with these exceptions:

  • The PhD must be completed either through LA Area-residency or Low-residency modality. Distance Education is not available for this degree program. 
  • The MA (Religion) must be completed through the Low-residency or Distance Education modalities. LA-Area residency is not available for this degree program. 
 
Note: Students who attend CST on F-1 or J-1 visas must attend as LA Area-residency students. VA students who wish to maximize their housing benefits should attend CST as LA Area-residency students. 

Learning modalities at CST

All classes at CST are delivered in the following learning modalities:

  • Intensive: Intensive classes take place over three-to-five consecutive days and are scheduled at the beginning of each semester. Includes additional online instruction before or after the Intensive Week, either  asynchronously (using the Populi learning management system or similar technology), or additionally scheduled synchronous (Zoom) class meetings. Students attend intensive classes in one of the following modes:
    • On Campus: Classes are held in classrooms on the CST campus in Los Angeles. Students attend classes in-person at the CST campus. On campus intensive classes may be “hyflex” classes, and include students who are attending synchronously via Zoom. 
    • Synchronous: Classes are held on Zoom. Students do not have to come to the CST campus but attend by logging into the Zoom class meeting from wherever they are in the world. Synchronous intensive classes may be “hyflex” classes, and include students who are attending the class in-person from the CST campus in Los Angeles 
  • Weekly: Classes are scheduled at the same time and day each week. Includes additional asynchronous instruction. 
    • Synchronous: Classes are held using the Zoom meetings platform, and take place at regularly scheduled times and days each week. Classes may be taught in “hyflex” classrooms at the CST campus, and include students who are attending classes On Campus. 
    • On-Campus: Classes occur in the “hyflex” classrooms at the CST campus and take place at regularly scheduled times and days each week, and include students who are attending the class Synchronously through Zoom.
  • Asynchronous: Classes take place primarily online through the Populi learning management system, with all interaction between students and instructors taking place through online postings, video lectures, and other Web- or online technologies. Student attendance is counted through the completion of weekly assignments by a designated deadline. Synchronous or On Campus meetings may be scheduled as part of the class, which may be optional or required for some student populations.