Across the Episcopal Church, lay leaders, clergy and aspirants to ordained ministry are seeking new kinds of training to lead a new kind of church. The new Bexley Seabury Federation Program in Anglican Studies offers a wide range of options for leaders from all walks of life. Join us in Columbus, Chicago or online and choose from a variety of intensive and semester-long courses. At Bexley Seabury, you can combine course formats and campus locations and design a program of study that suits your own needs, interests and schedule.
Our program will provide you with a firm foundation in Anglican theology, ethics, spirituality and liturgy and also offer innovative opportunities to study topics like ecumenism, interreligious relations, community organizing, congregational leadership and practical theology that you need to lead the 21st century church. All courses are conducted at the masters' or doctoral level, are taught by highly qualified and experienced faculty, and are open to lay leaders, clergy and those preparing for ordination. Financial aid is available.
Course Formats
Hybrid-intensive learning: These courses use an internet-based learning platform, combined with intensive in-class sessions conveniently scheduled:
- During fall and spring: each course meets in the classroom three times per term, from Friday early afternoon to Saturday late afternoon approximately once a month. Preparation and follow-up work is done online weekly, and can be fitted to any schedule. Online work includes reading, discussions, audio and video class-related materials, focused wikis, and more.
- During January and June: each course meets for five consecutive days in the classroom (Monday-Friday). Before and after these intensive sessions, students engage in preparation and follow-up work online weekly, fitted to any schedule.
These courses are ideal for:
- Students studying part-time, not living near an Episcopal seminary, or pursuing an MDiv at a seminary in another tradition;
- Those seeking particular focus in Anglican Studies while preparing for ministry under the direction of their bishop and diocese;
- Persons seeking deeper understanding of the Anglican tradition and contemporary Episcopal Church.
Weekly classroom format: courses take place during the week on campus, with preparation and follow-up work online or in study groups as well as at home. These courses are offered in the fall and spring terms, and are generally held at Bexley in Columbus, Ohio.
These courses are ideal for
- Students studying full-time;
- Those seeking particular focus in Anglican Studies while preparing for ministry under the direction of their bishop and diocese;
- Those who want the experience of living in a residential community of theological education and formation for a semester or more;
- Those seeking deeper understanding of the Anglican tradition and contemporary Episcopal Church.
Participants may take as many or as few courses as they wish. Those who complete all requirements—the equivalent of one year of full-time seminary studies—are eligible for the Diploma in Anglican Studies.
Over the course of two years, most classes are offered in both formats.
Curriculum
To be eligible for the Diploma in Anglican Studies, students must complete the following requirements:
Formation
Each site has its own Anglican Formation program; students are required to participate in the formation program at the site(s) at which they are taking classes
Each student is required to participate in annual anti-racism training under the auspices of the Federation
Required courses
- Anglican Spirituality and Ethos
- Anglican Theology and Ethics
- Anglican and Episcopal History
- Liturgy and Music 1
- Liturgy and Music 2, including practicum
- Canon Law (1 credit)
Total: 15 credit hours
Area requirements
In addition to the required courses above, students must meet these area requirements:
- 1 course in ecumenism, interreligious relations, or global Anglican Communion
- Examples: Ecumenism; Scriptural Reasoning; Interreligious Relations; Contemporary Issues in the Anglican Communion
- 1 course in Congregational Mission and Leadership
- Examples: Congregations in the 21st Century; Community Organizing; Making Mission Possible in Tough Times; something on use of Scripture
- 1 course in practical theology
- Examples: Homiletics; Pastoral Offices; Human Sexuality and Pastoral Care; something on use of Scripture
- 1 course in history or theology
- Examples: Christ and Atonement; Theology and Practice of Authority; Topics in Anglican Theology
Total: 12 credit hours
All courses and activities include a demonstrable multi-cultural orientation and content. Students may not use any of the required courses to satisfy the area requirements.
Admission
Admission to the program (2 or more courses) is simple: register for a course, submit either a Registrar’s letter confirming matriculation at an accredited seminary or an official transcript of the highest degree completed, and request a letter of recommendation from someone with whom you’ve worked in ministry.
To learn more about Anglican Studies at Bexley, please talk with Dean Tom Ferguson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 614-231-3095. To learn more about Anglican Studies at Seabury, please talk with Academic Dean Ellen Wondra at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 773-380-7040.
