FAQs
- What is Journey?
- What is a Hybrid Course?
- What Are Gathering Days?
- Other Questions
What is Journey?
Journey is designed to enhance community building and engagement. This is accomplished through our state-of-the-art online platform, as well as through intentional community formation on campus. Courses include text discussion, blog posts, video and audio lectures, slide presentations, video conversations, live and recorded presentations, and a variety of other engaging activities. We intentionally limit the class size in online courses to ensure relationship building with other students and your instructor.
Online theological education offers a number of exciting opportunities – limited class sizes, a self-directed pace, and the chance to study at an award-winning institution without relocating. While online courses can offer more flexibility in scheduling, they require self-discipline, independence, and diligence.
Students taking online and hybrid courses should be comfortable with basic technology and with navigating a variety of online resources. As with on-campus learning, graduate students should set aside ample time for study to spend working on the weekly assignments and discussions.
Journey is online theological education for the 21st century: a re-imagined community of learners that offers students a rich and interactive online environment with experiential on-campus experiences, that provide in-depth learning and strong connection to faculty and other students.
What is a Hybrid Course?
Hybrid courses are the foundation of Journey. It’s what gets you to campus for Gathering Days. Hybrid courses meet both online and on campus. Students participate in courses online for the 10-week quarter in Canvas, and also meet on the Iliff campus during the 5th week of the quarter.
There are four time slots for hybrid courses during Gathering Days. Students may be in one class or four classes. Most students register for two or three hybrid courses each term.
A: Tuesday afternoon + Wednesday morning
B: Wednesday afternoon + Thursday morning
C: Thursday afternoon + Friday Morning
D: Friday afternoon + Saturday morning
There are eight hours of on-campus instruction per hybrid course. Classes start in the afternoon from 1:00-5:00 and conclude the following morning from 8:00am-12:00.
For example, let’s say that you are in courses that meet during the time slots “Hybrid A” and “Hybrid B”. You would be in class on Tuesday afternoon 1:00 to 5:00pm and on Wednesday morning 8:00am to 12:00pm (Hybrid A). You would also be in class Wednesday afternoon 1:00 to 5:00pm and Thursday morning 8:00am to 12:00pm (Hybrid B).
What are Gathering Days?
Students who are enrolled in hybrid courses travel to the Iliff campus in Denver, Colorado three times a year during the 5th week of each quarter (October, February, April). It is a special time for the Iliff community to be together for academics and fellowship for meals, classes, social events, guest speakers, and special events. By gathering on the beautiful Iliff campus, students have distinctive opportunities for meaningful, engaging, and transforming experiences.
Other Questions
Do I have to be online at any specific time?
Participation in online courses are not required at specific times, but courses follow a weekly schedule with regular discussions and assignments throughout the quarter. Students are expected to login to their courses on a regular basis throughout the week.
How often do I need to come to Denver?
Students travel the Iliff campus for to attend Gathering Days in October, February, and April.
Do I have to move to Denver to attend classes?
No. The majority of your coursework will be completed online, so you do not need to relocate.
Is it possible to work while attending school?
Yes. Many students work part-time or full-time while going to school. Hybrid and online courses provide flexibility for those trying to juggle a variety of commitments outside of graduate school.
How do I know if online learning is right for me?
Students who succeed with online learning are comfortable using new technology, using the internet, managing email, and establishing time management skills. Online learning requires ongoing communication and course participation with peers and faculty. Online learning at Iliff is highly engaging and relational. Contact one of our Admissions Representatives to determine if this is right for you at admissions@iliff.edu
Can I attend part-time?
Yes. You may enroll with a full load of courses or a lesser load of courses. A full load of classes is three or four classes. The curriculum is flexible and you can take courses at your own pace that fit into your life responsibilities. Contact us to discuss your situation and we help you discern if part-time or full-time is best for you.
Will I have an area of concentration and, if so, what are my choices?
Concentrations are options for students in the MDiv or MTS degrees. The following concentrations are available: Biblical Studies , Black Religious Studies, Congregational Practices, Gender and Sexuality, Historical Studies Concentration, Leadership in Emerging Contexts, Social Justice and Ethics, Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy, Systematic/Constructive Theology.
How do I know if the Journey program meets my denomination’s residency requirements?
We can help you with meeting your denomination’s requirements. Journey is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools as part of our comprehensive distance education offerings. Master degrees at Iliff meet denominational requirements for all mainline Protestant denominations. For those who are United Methodist and seeking ordination as an Elder, the denomination allows two-thirds of the Master of Divinity degree online, with one-third required to be in residence (University Senate, January 27, 2011).