The New York State Board of Regents has granted Olivet University, a California-based private Christian institution of higher education, authorization to offer courses of academic study at a site the University owns in upstate New York, Olivet officials announced today.

The University also received re-authorization to continue offering its Master’s-level educational course offerings in New York City.

“We are grateful to God and to New York State for this exciting news,” said Olivet President Dr. Tracy Davis. “Olivet University in Dover will offer highly qualified students the unique opportunity to study and live in this beautiful setting.”

The Board of Regents authorization enables Olivet to offer at the Dover campus seven courses from its Master of Divinity degree program. Olivet is dedicated to training men and women as Biblical scholars and leaders, and to equipping them with practical skills for ministry. The University offers baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in a range of academic and professional areas, doctoral programs in the area of theology and ministry, and certificate programs in languages.

The Master of Divinity course enrollment in Dover will be capped at 50 students for the first year and raised to 100 after five years, with classes initially being held in the campus chapel building, a 30,000 square-foot space on the 500-acre property.

One faculty member from the University will serve as the program director, and the University is seeking to hire local experts as faculty.

The courses will be available to students already enrolled in Olivet’s programs on-campus in California or on-line who interested in studying in Dover for one year. They will study Theological Prolegomena, Systematic Theology I, Systematic Theology II, Evangelism & Discipleship, Homiletics, Pastoral Counseling, and Ministry Internship. All seven courses are required courses for graduation from Olivet’s M.Div. program.

Olivet will also be able to continue to offer seven courses from its M.B.A program at its location in Lower Manhattan.