Phone: (860) 509-9500
Fax: (860) 509-9509
info@hartsem.edu
77 Sherman Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
You are here
Distance Education
It is a new era! Now neither time nor distance need hinder you from taking courses at Hartford Seminary.
Students can take Masters level courses for credit or audit just like the face-to-face classes at the Seminary. Recent changes in our accreditation policies mean that Hartford Seminary MA students can now have up half their courses toward their degree requirements as distance education courses.
The Seminary offers an online religious studies certificate program - essentially allowing a student to take all 18 credits of that certificate degree - approximately 6 courses - online. Then, after this graduate certificate, it is often possible to transfer all those credits into a MA program here, the rest of which would have to be done in face-to-face coursework.
We are committed to offering at least two online courses each semester in diverse subject areas. We also offer a variety of other non credit educational opportunities online.
Through our membership in the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium and using Blackboard software, students will have a host of resources, in addition to the Seminary faculty, to draw from to make their distance learning experiences smooth and painless as well as educational.
Visit our "Frequently Asked Questions" section to learn more about distance learning at Hartford Seminary.
If you have further questions, or to enroll in an online course, contact the instructor or email Scott Thumma, Distance Education Director at sthumma@hartsem.edu, David Barrett, Educational Outreach Director at dbarrett@hartsem.edu, or Karen Rollins, Registrar at registrar@hartsem.edu. Registered students will receive an email a few days prior to the start of classes with instructions on how to access the course web site and log in information.
If you have registered for an online course, please note that you will be contacted a few days before the course begins and then be given their information such as password, course site, instructions, etc. Prior to this, check the specific course's page on the Seminary website for book lists and initial course instructions. This is the procedure for every online course, every semester. thanks!
Online Course Schedule
Understanding Catholicism (DI-503)
Online beginning Monday, January 23
Roman Catholicism is the largest Christian denomination in the world. In this course, we examine the history, theology, tradition, ecclesiology, and ethics of the Roman Catholic Church. The course will stress the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church to ecumenical and interfaith relations, in particular Catholic-Muslim dialogue. Students will have a good grasp of the rationale behind the worldview of Roman Catholics including the ability to consider and locate some of the contentious debates within Catholicism and to understand the impact of Catholicism on contemporary America.
Minlib Dallh , Adjunct Professor of Dialogue
Introduction to Islamic Law* (ET-640)
Online, beginning Monday, January 23
This course will provide a critical overview of the history and practice of Islamic law. We begin by examining the origins of Islamic law, the development of the classical schools of jurisprudence and the nature of pre-modern legal institutions, especially the courts and madrasa education. In following classes, we will explore the substance of classical Islamic law, especially in the areas of family, finance and international relations.
Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
Women, Religion and the Future of USA Churches* (RS-661)
Online beginning Monday, January 23
Setting the context for on-line discussion of women in the future of USA congregations and denominations, the course will begin with a brief overview of women in world religions. Attention will be focused on the history of women’s participation and leadership in American Christian churches over the last two centuries, to stimulate a discussion of what themes and trends might be predicted for the 21st century.
Adair Lummis, Faculty Associate in Research
