The Distance Learning Master’s Degree Program in Ecumenical Studies (DLPES) at the Institute of Ecumenical Studies is the first and only distance program offered in Ecumenical Studies in the world. This innovative program gives students throughout the world the opportunity to study the depth and diversity of contemporary ecumenism under the guidance of a world-class teaching faculty. Our program is ideal for the independent, motivated student who wants to study ecumenism through reading-and writing-intensive courses, and to participate in an international ecumenical network of students and scholars of ecumenism.

Our program offers foundational courses, including introductory courses in Christian theological traditions, ecumenical theology, ecclesiology, and history. In addition to these foundational courses, electives are offered throughout the academic year, providing students with the opportunity to study particular aspects of historical or contemporary ecumenism according to their interests. Students must successfully complete fifteen courses within the program to be eligible for the Master’s degree of Ecumenical Studies. Upon successful completion of these fifteen required courses, degree-seeking students may devote one academic semester to completing a Master’s thesis under the supervision of a member of the DLPES faculty. In addition to their coursework, students of the program report on visits to churches of various confessions, thus incorporating their course work into observational practice.

DLMPES gives also students a possibility to register for individual class or classes of the program without seeking the Master’s degree.

Antoine Arjakovsky, Director of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies says: “ The inspiration to create a distance learning program in ecumenism comes, in a sense, from the nature of the field itself. Ecumenism and the ecumenical movement are driven by a desire to gather the dispersed people of God. Distance learning gives us indeed the opportunity to gather from around the world those who are deeply concerned by the disunity among Christian churches, creating an on-line community that, in being educated together, engages critical questions and seeks possibilities for healing.

The inspiration comes also from the unique nature of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies. We are located in the city of Lviv, in Western Ukraine – an ancient meeting place of East and West, of Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, Orthodox, and, more recently, Protestant traditions. We are part of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), the first institution in Ukraine to offer a religious education at the college level. In addition to providing a Master’s program in ecumenism at UCU, we organize ecumenical conferences and retreats all over Europe, with the participation of clergy and laymen from many branches of Christianity.”

Please do not hesitate to contact the Distance Learning Coordinator at iesdistance@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you!

Download Brochure DLMPES

Web: http://www.iesdistance.org.ua/