Description
Robert E. Cooley Theological Seminary provides accessible, affordable, and innovative theological education to students from around the world. Students are organized into affinity groups, or "cohorts," that work together. Faculty meet with the cohorts, either in person or via videoconference. This saves students time and money.
Robert E. Cooley Theological Seminary is affiliated with Kairos University, allowing us to provide practical ministry learning resources, competency-based theological education, localized mentoring, and student engagement support. This professional relationship also creates a path for eligible RECTS students to earn an ATS-accredited degree or certificate through Kairos University.
Competence-Based Theological Education
RECTS´ goal is to prepare God's people for the service of Jesus Christ. Our seminary achieves this goal with a two-pronged strategy: Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE) and mentoring teams.
CBTE relates to the broader field of competency-based education. This movement began in the 1970s and grew out of a desire to create educational programs that practically equip students to achieve measurable learning outcomes outlined in the curriculum.
Rather than assuming that learning occurs by default through coursework, CBTE requires faculty and students to think critically about what the educational program is trying to accomplish. CBTE has the potential to develop true ministerial training. First, because it values the role of relationships, both with God and with others. Second, because it uses a mentoring system.
At its core, CBTE is an educational philosophy that invites participants to reevaluate their perspectives on learning and embrace each student's development as a truly organic, Spirit-filled discipleship process.
Working with mentor teams is one of the most important principles of CBTE. RECTS requires each student to be part of a team composed of the student, a faculty mentor, a vocational mentor, and a personal mentor. Mentor teams are a key component of the educational experience at RECTS.