Northwest House of Theological Studies

The Northwest Consortium

The Northwest House of Theological Studies participates in offering graduate level theological education as a member of the Northwest Consortium. The member institutions are:

  • American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW)
  • Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP)
  • Iliff School of Theology (Iliff)
  • Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS)
  • Pacific School of Religion (PSR)
  • Northwest House of Theological Studies (NHTS)

NHTS is the administrative agent for the Salem, Oregon based extension program of that consortium. Students may complete up to 49 percent of the requirements for the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree or other theological masters degrees.

This extension program also offers community life and student services that support the basic curriculum. This program seeks to:

  • Nurture the life of spiritual quest and discipline
  • Encourage critical reflection by all members of our learning community
  • Integrate theology with practice and faith with social responsibility
  • Introduce students to the practical challenges and opportunities of professional ministry in church and community through supervised field education placements and clinical pastoral education opportunities.

This Salem, Oregon based extension program is approved by the Accrediting Commission of the Association of Theological Schools. Oversight of the program is the responsibility of the Consortium, which approves all courses and instructors and basic academic policies. On-site administration is entrusted to NHTS.

Students interested in studying at this Oregon extension program should contact the NHTS office, which will provide current information on the programs offered and contact information for the other schools.

Students will enroll in courses in Oregon through the office of the Northwest House. NHTS, however, does not admit students to a degree program. Anyone wishing to enroll for credit class work at NHTS must be admitted by one of the five accredited institutions (see how to apply). That school then becomes the “school of record,” maintaining the official transcript and other records of the student.

In most cases, students may complete up to 49% of the credits required for the Master of Divinity degree or for another masters level religious studies degree offered by the school of record. This means that a student should plan on at least one and one-half years of study “in residence” at the degree granting schools. With the general limits of 49%, each accredited school establishes its own policies concerning course work that may be taken through this extension program, so careful and regular consultation with the staff of the school of record is important at each stage of the process. To earn a degree, students complete the remaining requirements in residence at the school of record or another accredited school of theology. In the latter case, the student must apply for admission to that school and, if admitted, request a transfer of credits from the school of record.

Find out more about our Masters of Divinity programs and our other Masters level programs.