Online courses follow the "asynchronous group conferencing" model and last for 15 weeks in the Spring/Fall (12 weeks in the Summer). Weekly courseload per course is comparable to that of a residential course. The group conferencing model allows students and instructors to access the course materials at a time most convenient to each of them individually. The concept of "content interaction" is crucial to the Seminary's Online education model. Courses are typically comprised of assigned reading and research, asynchronous dialogue forums, and written assignments and projects.