Bloy House students will be able to earn a joint master of divinity degree through the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont and the distributive learning program of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in a new program, according to a recent statement released by the seminaries.
The first student to participate in the joint program, involving completion of two-thirds coursework at Bloy House and the final one-third at EDS, will enroll in coursework in the upcoming June term, the statement said.
The agreement, announced May 7, will allow Bloy House master of divinity students to receive degrees from an accredited Episcopal seminary through online course work and summer and weekend intensives on the EDS campus, making it easier for those continuing in employment to finish their degree program.
Strong ties between the two institutions helped facilitate the development of this new relationship, according to the statement. The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook served as academic dean at EDS before coming to Bloy House and Claremont School of Theology in 2009. The Rev. Dr. Harvey Guthrie is a member of the Bloy House Board of Trustees and a former dean of EDS as well.
In addition to these ties, a significant alignment of values and core beliefs has made the relationship possible, the release said.
“Both schools share a deep commitment to forming Episcopal leaders who understand and cherish the baptismal identity of Christian persons as the primary touchstone for all ministry development, and both share a deep conviction that living out the baptismal covenant requires and invites Episcopalians to participate actively in the work of bringing peace and justice to the world. The two schools also share an unwavering energy for reimagining theological education for the 21st century,” the release said.
More information is here.