As a recent partnership between a Philadelphia-based college and local churches forms, Penn State students will be given the opportunity to take religious classes outside of the university.

Starting in spring 2007, Eastern University, in collaboration with Xristos Institute of Christian Studies, 2201 University Drive, will offer Penn State students several classes focused on the Christian religion.

Penn State will honor the classes by accepting general transfer credits from Eastern University, Jim Wager, Xristos Institute director, said.

Currently, Penn State already accepts several transfer credits from Eastern University, Robert Pangborn, vice president and dean for undergraduate education at Penn State, said.

"If the [student's degree] program is very tight, then it might be harder to count the credits to meet the Penn State degree requirement," Pangborn said. "They can still transfer, but how the credits are used will be dependent on the student's academic program."

Last spring Xristos conducted a survey of about 300 students provided by Penn State Christian fellowship groups that helped to determine if there was a need for religious classes in addition to what Penn State already offers, Phil Miller, member of the planning board, said.

"Generally we found that students were happy with the religious studies classes at Penn State," Miller said. "But students were also looking for more of an opportunity to study more at a deeper level."

Anthony L. Blair, dean of academic affairs at Eastern University, said although his university is offering classes in State College, it is not trying to contend with Penn State.

"As part of who we are, our nature is to be very collaborative, not competitive," Blair said. "We do not see this in any way to be a competition with Penn State. I think the population at Xristos is interested in serving the Christian students in Penn State."

Penn State currently offers 15 to 20 religious studies classes each semester with several different sections, religious studies director Jonathan Brockopp said. The department also offers 30 different majors, a variety of minors and several general elective classes. Although Penn State offers classes similar to those given through Eastern University, Brackopp said he does not believe the number of students scheduling religious studies classes will decrease.

"It seems to me that there are many students who are interested in these subjects, but the other classes being offered would not necessarily conflict with the already existing courses," Brackopp said.

The four three-credit classes offered next semester through Eastern University will each cost $690. Each class will consist of no more than 20 students in order to keep a low ratio between the instructor and student, Wager said.

"The classes will be very open discussions focusing very high on student learning and involvement," Wager said. "We just do not want to get into the big lecture mode of operating."

All of the classes are offered to the general public, including those who are of non-Christian background.

"The institute will be offering courses that will be based on a Christian background," Wager said. "But we are going to be very careful to provide other viewpoints. We are trying to provide a full, honest and open idea of these subjects coming from the Christian perspective."

The location of classes has not been finalized, but Miller said the classes will be located close to campus for students' convenience.