ESR Access
Commitments to jobs, family, church or meeting, or other things may prevent you from moving in order to pursue your studies. This is why Earlham School of Religion offers distance education opportunities in the form of ESR Access.
As a full-time Access student, you can earn either the M.Div./M.Min. degree, the M.A. in Religion or the M.A.: Theopoetics and Writing by taking a combination of online courses and two-week intensive courses at ESR in Richmond, IN. Courses are taught by regular ESR faculty and adhere to the same standards as residential courses.
| Program name: | Can be completed: |
|---|---|
| M.Div | Mostly online |
| M.A. in Religion | Mostly online |
| M.A. in Peace & Social Transformation | Fully residential |
| M.A. in Theopoetics & Writing | Fully online |
| Certificates | Mostly online |
Degrees earned through Access are fully accredited by ATS. Access classes are also available to Occasional Students.
ESR Access: A distance education offering
To excel in the ESR Access program, you must be motivated, self-disciplined, and an active and independent learner. Additionally, time management, written communication and basic computer literacy skills will aid you in becoming a successful Access student.
ACCESS CLASSES
You can expect the same academic demand in distance classes as you would in the classroom. To excel in the ESR Access program, you must be motivated, self-disciplined, and an active and independent learner. Additionally, time management, written communication and basic computer literacy skills will aid you in becoming a successful Access student.
Classroom discussions are an important part of learning. In the same way, online discussions are a critical component of a successful online class. Instructors not only teach but facilitate exchanges that help students learn from one another.
ESR online courses are delivered through the Moodle course management software, offering you the flexibility to attend your classes when you are available.
There are also opportunities for synchronous learning through audio/video chat software. Computer requirements for participation in ESR Access are not demanding. Students need a recent computer with an up-to-date web browser, reliable broadband Internet access and office productivity software like Microsoft Office, Open Office or Google Docs.
ACCESS INTENSIVES
The two-week intensive class allows you to satisfy residency requirements and to participate in campus life without moving to Richmond, Indiana. ESR offers two-week intensive classes three times a year: August, January and May.
Preparation for an intensive class starts long before arrival in Richmond. Using a class syllabus as your guide, you will read much of the required texts and may be required to write reflections or research specific topics in advance of the class.
Classes meet for three and a half hours Monday through Friday over a two-week period. Classes are not held on the weekend in between, and though you may choose to return home, we encourage you to remain in Richmond and participate in the ESR community. Following the two-week intensive, you will have several weeks to complete a final project or term paper to complete the requirements of the course.
Resources and accommodations
ESR supports Access learning by providing resources including access to research tools and housing accommodations that meet the unique needs of students in the program.
Next steps
Ministry isn’t just a vocation or a calling—it’s a way of being in this world, seeking to make it whole. Earlham School of Religion is ready to support you in answering your own call to ministry, whatever shape it takes.