What began in 1940 as the Moore College correspondence course is to be relaunched for the 21st Century as Moore College Distance.

The revamp comes after an 18 month consultation and research process of student needs, new technologies and course structure.

“For around 70 years we have been involved in distance education through our correspondence courses and evening lectures. Now we are taking the  thrilling next step of providing our courses online” says Moore College Principal Dr Mark Thompson. “We are also taking the opportunity to totally revamp our processes to make it easier to enrol, receive feedback and progress through the course” he said.

Already catering for around five thousand students, the college is hoping that number will grow after the launch in March 2014.

There will be three course streams. The first, six subjects of the PTC (Preliminary Theological Course) is correspondence only and includes the traditional correspondence course books, a paper based multiple choice exam and detailed exam feedback. The second, the ITS, (Introduction to Theological Studies) is entirely online and features 18 subjects, scheduled time with an online personal coach as well as interactive notes, weekly online quizzes, and online forums which are accessible at any time.  The third option, called Moore Access, allows students to  join the online learning environment community, with access to interactive course notes for six subjects, weekly quizzes with feedback, and forum discussions. When students wish sit an exam, they can enrol in the PTC or the ITS.

“I am excited about this new initiative” Dr Thompson says. “It will enable us to take good Bible teaching to people in the most remote places and to those whose busy lives mean they have no other way of accessing the teaching available at Moore College.”

The College expects there will be a 12 month transition period for existing students to finish their courses or to transfer subjects to the new structure.