Institution

Why did you decide to attend Liberty University to get your masters degree in Christian leadership?

I decided to attend Liberty University for my masters degree in Christian leadership because I had an interest in full-time church ministry. Although I no longer intend to pursue ministry full time, I think that the curriculum for Liberty University’s Christian Leadership program is still relevant to my professional goals.

What were your school’s biggest strengths?

The biggest strengths of Liberty University, in my opinion, were its biblical-based education, alumni outreach and comprehensive curriculum. Liberty gave me the theological foundation that I desired, as well as a sense of community with my former classmates. My undergraduate university does not keep in touch with me, but Liberty does. I also felt that the comprehensiveness of the curriculum and the level of instruction that the professors gave were particularly strong for an online school.

Did you view Liberty University as a community?

I think that building a community and sense of school spirit within an online school is difficult. I usually got to know a few people in my classes, but I did not develop the same sorts of friendships that I would have in a traditional classroom. I also cannot say that I feel a great sense of school spirit, but I am proud to have gotten my degree at Liberty University.

Does Liberty University have brick-and-mortar campuses?

Yes, Liberty does have a physical campus in addition to its online campus. As a result, my transcript does not indicate that I received an online degree. It looks like a degree from any other brick-and-mortar university.

Cost

How did you pay for college?

I paid for college through the GI Bill, which covered 100% of my tuition, because I was on active duty in the military at the time. I did pay for books, although I think that the GI Bill has been revised to cover that expense now.

How helpful was your school in assisting your financial aid process?

Liberty was very helpful in assisting me with the financial aid process. It handled all of the paperwork for the GI Bill and made the process completely painless for me.

Admissions Requirements

Can you describe the admissions process from start to finish?

Yes, the admissions process was quick and painless. Initially, I contacted the school for information. Using that information, I chose a program, submitted an application online and then spoke with a representative over the phone. Liberty then approved my application and sent me a class schedule. At that point, I gave my class schedule and degree plan to my assigned military base for approval. Liberty took care of arranging the military tuition benefits for me.

What did you write about in your personal statement?

My personal statement was a statement about my religious faith that also included my reasons for wanting to attend a seminary.

How many letters of recommendation did you submit in your application?

The only letter of recommendation that I submitted came from the pastor of the church I was attending. He was able to talk about my spiritual walk and ministry.

Do you have any insight on how Liberty University weighs the different parts of an admissions application?

Yes, Liberty weighs the statements of faith from applicants heavily. The university believes that they have a biblical mandate to keep the church pure, so they want to make sure that the students they train are theologically consistent with that mandate.

During the admissions process, did you interact with an admissions advisor?

Yes, I spoke to several admissions advisors during the admissions process. They helped me handle the paperwork and pointed me in the right direction for resources. Liberty University also made a point to check in with me now and then to make sure things were going well.

Experience

How was class material presented?

Class materials were typically presented through DVDs and online video lectures, lecture notes, discussion posts and textbooks. I personally preferred to watch lectures during my lunch hour at work, although evenings and weekends were also good times for me to catch up on anything I had missed. Each lecture lasted for about 50 minutes.

Were you able to stay engaged in your online coursework?

Yes, I was able to stay engaged in the coursework, but I found it necessary to shut out all interruptions or distractions when I listened to lectures. The material was so good that it required my full attention. I feel that I learned just as much from those online, prerecorded lectures as I would have from face-to-face lectures. While I could not raise my hand and ask questions, I could always post my question on the message board or get in touch with the professor directly.

Did your professors encourage class participation?

Yes, professors encouraged class participation by requiring students to post on the message boards. The material was complicated, so those who did not participate did not pass the course. I did not miss interacting face-to-face with other students, however. Other than the message boards, we generally kept to ourselves.

What method of communication did you use to keep in touch with your professors?

I kept in touch with my professors by e-mail and through the university portal. Professors were usually available by phone as well. I only e-mailed my professors once a week or so to submit assignments and we kept the relationship strictly professional.

Please rate your faculty in terms of the following criteria:

Criteria	Rating	Reasons
Overall	Excellent	Professors met high standards for experience, qualification and knowledge within their fields.
Qualifications	Excellent	Professors possessed consistently impressive qualifications.
Knowledgeable	Excellent	Professors had an excellent grasp of the material.
Lectures	Content: Excellent Clarity: Excellent	Professors provided intellectually rich and well-communicated lectures.
Assignments	Relevance: Excellent Reasonable: Excellent Clarity: Excellent Assistance Provided: Excellent Feedback Given: Excellent	Professors were proactive in the assignment and discussion process.
Grading	Excellent	Professors used a consistently fair grading system.
Responsiveness	Excellent	Professors generally replied to e-mails and requests for help within 24 hours.
Reliability	Excellent	Professors were always present and prepared for their courses.
Interest taken in class as a whole	Good	Professors generally took an interest in the education of their students.
Interest taken in student as an individual	Good	Professors actively engaged students as individuals.

What resources did Liberty University provide to help you succeed in the classroom?

Liberty University provided its students with an abundance of resources. Each department had an extensive online library with several links to additional online resources, and the Liberty libraries allowed students to borrow and use e-books, articles and even videos.

What advice would you give to students to help them succeed in an online classroom?

I would advise students to read all course materials, use the resources and communicate clearly. Many students neglect to read the syllabus or the full text of an assignment and end up confused later. The library is also a useful study aid, and professors often request that students use it to access materials. I also think that students should make sure that they are communicating well. If they are struggling to understand an assignment or cannot grasp a concept, then they need to pick up the phone or write an e-mail and ask about it right away.

Program

Why did you choose to enroll in your Christian leadership program?

I chose to enroll in the Christian leadership program because I was considering full-time ministry, but I also wanted to get a more general degree that could apply to multiple areas, just in case I changed my mind. Leadership applies to so many different careers and life scenarios, so it seemed the wisest choice, although I did briefly consider a graduate degree in English, too.

What were your program’s biggest strengths?

The biggest strengths of my program were its emphasis on theology and its comprehensive teaching of church history. The courses I took on theology reshaped and refined my faith. Likewise, my church history courses helped me reexamine some of my beliefs and, in light of what I had learned, change them.

Closing

What general advice would you give to a student who is considering a masters degree in Christian leadership at Liberty University?

I advise students who are considering a masters degree in Christian leadership to stay organized. Keeping excellent and organized notes will put that information at students’ fingertips for exams down the road, even if the exams are open book.

I also think that students should learn how to access and utilize the resources available to them. This program has so many supplemental resources that cover so many subjects. Students who make the most of these resources will make the most of their educations.