VLI Announces 2, 3 & 4-yr Academic Plans

VLI has been structured as a two-year program since its inception in 1994. We have asked students to complete 21 courses while serving their church, being mentored, conducting leadership projects, and meeting with their spiritual formation partners. For many of our past students, VLI education has been alongside family and full-time job commitments, at times creating an unhealthy life balance. Additionally in today’s economic climate, though less expensive than seminaries or bible schools, attending VLI has been financially impossible for many as well. To help students meet these challenges VLI has implemented the following changes to our program:

1. Longer Time Frame for Completion: We have added three-year and four-year tracks, allowing students to pace their learning to match their life situations. (Please download a copy of our new catalog detailing the new track examples.) For those needing even more time, we allow a maximum time of six years to complete all program requirements for a certificate. Enrolled students register for up to three courses online in advance of the start of the quarter.
   
   
2. Lower per Quarter Cost for Financially Stressed Students: To match the track you are following, we allow students to pay on a per course basis. See our Financial Info page for tuition details.
   
   
3. Increased Class Time Flexibility: Many students who work nights or weekends find it difficult to attend classes to watch lecture videos with their fellow students. Furthermore, watching a lecture together is passive learning, and research has shown that more effective learning comes through interactive engagement of the material in “active” classroom discussions. Beginning Fall Quarter 2012, VLI sites can elect to watch lecture videos individually (on-line) with students coming to focused, 60-90 minute classes roughly every-other-week to engage in theological discussion, scripture study, and/or real world ministry case studies. (Note: The VLI site pastor will have the final say on how to run their classes.) These learning cohorts will be led by your site coordinator (or another student or pastor) using detailed study guides prepared and provided beforehand by VLI Faculty.

We believe that these changes will make VLI more accessible. VLI is a feasible option for those struggling to meet the challenges of life in our fast paced and financially strapped society who are trying to balance work, family, service in the church and their own education. The changes should relieve students facing time or financial pressures as well as provide a longer runway for students needing or desiring more time to grow and mature.

Students wishing to achieve the VLI Certificate can take courses in one of three "tracks". Click below for details:

• Two-Year track example
• Three-Year track example
• Four-Year track example

In addition to these improvements, VLI remains committed to providing the best real-world learning environment for our future leaders, combining a theological and practical education with an expanded and truly global faculty in the context of a community that is not detached from the local church. We continue to provide ACE recommendations for credit recommendation and have recently executed articulation agreements with Ohio Christian University (OCU) and Cincinnati Christian University (CCU) for B.S. and M.S. level programs.

We pray that these changes might have a positive impact for your theological training and perhaps for many others that have not yet had the same opportunity. Feel free to contact VLI Marketing at 614-259-5340 with any questions.