Posted: 4/02/04
Logsdon, Wayland partner to bring master
of divinity program to South Plains residents
By Teresa Young
Wayland Baptist University
LUBBOCK–Wayland Baptist University and Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University have partnered to bring a graduate-level divinity program to the South Plains.
The agreement allows students with a bachelor's degree in religion or theology to take courses from Logsdon faculty on the Wayland campus in Lubbock with credit toward the master of divinity degree.
Wayland students already working toward the master of arts in religion or master of Christian ministry degrees may apply their coursework toward the master of divinity degree from Logsdon.
“This will be helpful for Wayland students because they can work on two degrees at once,” said Fred Meeks, chairman of Wayland's division of religion and philosophy.
“It would require some work, but a student in our region could feasibly do the master of religion and master of divinity degrees in three years.”
Students interested in pursuing the master of divinity degree must be admitted to Logsdon and then register for the courses to be held in Lubbock.
Both Wayland and Logsdon officials expressed excitement about the arrangement because of the benefits to both institutions, as well as to students and ministers already serving in the area who may want seminary training that previously has been out of reach.
"The agreement is really a win-win situation. It's a win for Wayland students because they won't have to uproot and pursue the M.Div., and a win for us because we can offer the degree to a wider audience," said Tommy Brisco, dean at Logsdon. "It's a win for the students as well, because it makes the degree more accessible for them.
"The partnership affords a great opportunity for us to further theological education for people who are preparing for vocational ministry.
“The agreement allows us to partner with Wayland in a complementary manner that serves the churches of Texas and surrounding regions in a way that allows both programs to flourish.”
While students could attain the majority of coursework through Wayland and Logsdon classes in Lubbock, the remaining 24 hours of the degree must be completed at the Abilene campus, Brisco said.
To help students with this requirement, Logsdon is devising mini-terms to be held during summer.
The first classes under the new partnership will be offered in the fall.
Three courses–one per term–will be offered each year in Lubbock.
Wayland already has standing agreements with all Southern Baptist seminaries under guidelines of the Association of Theological Schools–the main accrediting agency for such institutions–that allows half the courses from an earned master's degree from Wayland to apply toward the master of divinity program at the seminaries.
Under the new arrangement, however, students can transfer all their credits to a seminary degree before they graduate.
For more information, contact either the Wayland religion department at (806) 291-1160 or Logsdon School of Theology at (325) 670-1287.
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