Grace College, CUGN partner to offer online master's degree

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Grace College has announced its partnership with Christian University GlobalNet (CUGN) to offer an online Master of Arts degree. The Master of Arts in Ministry Studies (MAMS) degree builds on courses completed by students through CUGN.

This new partnership is an exciting opportunity for students who desire to expand their Biblical education but lack the time or physical proximity to an educational institution in order to do so. Grace College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the fact that the MAMS degree is online makes it both effective and convenient.

The program is broken into three steps -- students complete Cores 1 and 2 with CUGN, and then take an additional 18 credits through Grace, with classes taught by Grace College and Seminary faculty.

Students who complete all three steps will receive a Master of Arts in Ministry Studies from Grace College. The cohort models used by both CUGN and Grace allow students to build relationships, engage in discussions, and learn collaboratively while enjoying the convenience of an entirely online program.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Gill, Dean of the School of Ministry Studies at Grace College, is enthusiastic about the partnership.

"This opportunity allows us to open the door for people from around the world to obtain a master's degree. The partnership is mutually beneficial for Grace and CUGN in that through Grace, CUGN students are now able to obtain an accredited master's degree, and that through CUGN, Grace becomes known to a global student base," said Gill.

Grace College and Seminary President Ronald E. Manahan shares Gill's enthusiasm for the project and is especially pleased with the direction online education is taking.

"The future of higher education is in collaborative partnerships between institutions that have unified missions. This partnership allows us to leverage Grace's legacy of academics with CUGN's legacy of resources. I believe partnerships like this are the future, and it's consistent with Grace's commitment to innovation in education."

Christian University GlobalNet is a Colorado-based university offering Bible, Christian life and theology courses totally online.

The graduate-level courses are taught by scholars from various seminaries (such as Dallas Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Grace College is an evangelical Christian community of higher education which applies biblical values in strengthening character, sharpening competence, and preparing for service.

The 180-acre campus is located in Winona Lake, near Warsaw, Ind. It has historically been among the top schools of its size and listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Colleges.

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