The First Year Online Program consists of four primary elements. You will participate in:

• Online, accredited, collegiate level courses that apply toward Chicago undergraduate program requirements or transfer to other schools.*
• An online mentoring program in which you will complete a series of exercises to help you articulate your call to ministry more effectively, to reflect on your ministry experience and to grow spiritually.
• Required ministry engagement that will give you the opportunity to gain practical ministry experience.
• A community of students going through the program together and in the same classes throughout the year.

*Note: the receiving school determines what credits are transferable.

You will be responsible for any and all tuition and fees associated with coursework. The overall cost of the program is less than the yearly cost of attending the Chicago campus (which is approximately $12,500). Those who qualify for federal Pell grants see an even greater reduction in overall costs.

Below is the breakdown of all costs:

* Subject to tuition changes

To help with the costs of attending Moody, students are encouraged to apply for the Federal Pell Grant by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Federal Pell grant does not require repayment, but could require completion of a process called verification, should your FAFSA be selected. For the 2021–2022 award year the Pell grant can range from $0–$6,495 and is based on the Family's Expected Contribution calculated from the information you enter on the FAFSA.

If you have served in the Armed Forces and have educational benefits available you may be eligible to use those benefits. Another option to help with the cost of a Moody education is participating in Moody's payment plan.

All courses taken in FYOP are part of Chicago campus based programs. Each 16 week semester will consist of two 8 weeks terms. Within each 8 week term you will be taking 2-3 courses. Throughout the course of the year, you will have 4 terms and complete around 30 credits of courses.

Hyflex Chicago campus courses will be 16 weeks in length and have a designated class time each week.

Here is an example fall schedule:

Moody's online courses are eight and sixteen weeks long and are comprised of reading assignments, weekly discussion boards and various tests and assignments. Many courses utilize audio and video to supplement student learning. All students will participate in an orientation program to ensure student success in online courses. Once registered you will access your courses via Canvas, Moody's Learning Management System.

Students will also have the option for selected first-year courses to participate in our hyflex model which provides live streams of our Chicago campus courses via zoom.

All Moody courses are taught by Moody Bible Institute full-time faculty or by approved adjunct faculty. Your professors are experts in their respective fields, as well as having experience in various ministry settings.

Time estimates for the various portions of the program are listed below:

The semester will begin in mid-late August. You will receive further communication concerning start dates, as well as tips for successful study after matriculation. As a participant in the FYOP, you will be automatically registered for your courses.

If you have credits from these courses, you should contact the Academic Records office at (312) 329-4400 or advising@moody.edu and request a preliminary transfer credit evaluation for the Chicago undergraduate major you would like to pursue. Once credit has been accepted by Academic Records, we will register you in other courses to maintain a full schedule.

Upon matriculation you will be assigned a mentor to encourage you, discuss your ministry experiences and courses and provide accountability. Mentors have been carefully selected and include Moody staff and Alumni. You and your mentor will schedule 30-60 minute mentor meetings via video call every-other week of the program.

Through the Intentional Ministry Engagement, students will formulate and meet field experience, spiritual, character, and ministry formation goals with an experienced supervisor. Ministry experience can include, but not necessarily be limited to, interning at your local church, working with a local parachurch group or taking a missions trip. 

Ministry experience should average out to a minimum of 8 hours per week. This is required for one semester (preferably in the fall semester). More details will be available after matriculation.

The first step is to apply at www.moody.edu/apply/ Choose your desired Chicago program and indicate in your essays that you are interested in starting as a first-year online student. We’ll be in touch from there!

You can always e-mail admissions at admissions@moody.edu or FYOP staff at fyop@moody.edu.