Online FAQ
Check out these frequently asked questions.
Can I complete my degree online?
Yes. All the required courses will be offered online.
Will I have to come to the campus to complete requirements for my degree?
No. There is no on-campus requirement. However, we would encourage students to come and visit the campus. Visiting students can earn credit during our annual camp meeting by attending and completing assigned work during the morning bible studies. We would also invite students to come to the campus during our graduation activities. While not required, all our graduating Distance Ed. students are invited to participate in the graduation ceremonies.
Is this an accredited degree?
Yes. We are accredited by ABHE and ASCI and our credits have transferred to major theological institutions of higher learning.
Do you accept credits from other schools?
Credits of a C grade or higher can be transferred in from other accredited institutions. Students with credits from non-accredited institutions can contact us to request a review of their transcript for possible acceptance of courses that meet our specific guidelines.
Can I get government financing for my courses such as Pell Grant and Student Loans?
Yes. Because our accreditation is with an organization with federal recognition our students are eligible for government assistance
Besides the cost of the courses what additional fees will there be?
The only additional fees are the application fee ($25.00) and the final processing fee at graduation ($100.00).
What technology will I need to do the online program?
Most home computers will work with our course system. For some specifics, you will need a computer that is capable of accessing the web using one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer 7 (or higher), Firefox 2 (or higher) or Safari 2 (or higher). You will need to enable javascript and cookies and have adobe reader installed on your computer. For your assignments you will need a Word processor such as Microsoft Word. If you are using a product other than Microsoft Word, your assignments will need to be saved in the Rich Text Format (.rtf). Although our courses do not require a high speed internet connection, for courses with multimedia components it is highly recommended.
How long will it take to complete my degree?
This will depend on how many credits you have already. Students can take from six to twelve credits per semester. A complete associate degree would take about five semesters (2 1/2 years).
How long does it take to complete a course?
A typical course will last seven weeks. Each week students are presented with a set of assignments to complete before the end of that week. Six weeks will focus on course content and one week is given to final projects and exams.
Where do I get my textbooks and course materials?
All required materials will be mailed to you and are included in the cost of course. The books will be mailed to you the week prior to the beginning of the course.
How do I take my final exam?
Final exams are completed using a proctor. The proctor is a responsible adult selected by the student to whom we give instructions for taking the exam. This could be a pastor, a church leader, a local librarian, etc. . . , but it should not be a relative. Arrangements will be made between the proctor and student for actually completing the exam during the final week of the course.
How soon after registration can I begin my course?
Courses have a definite start date. As a reminder, you will be sent your log in information the day before the course begins. Even if you have received your materials several days ahead of time, all students in that course will begin on the same date.
Will the courses use CD’s and DVD’s?
Many of our courses are based on printed materials. Some use a combination of printed materials and multimedia. Many have links to audio or video components. A selected few of our courses include CD’s and DVD’s which are loaned out on a library basis and must be returned at the end of the course.
If I decide to complete my degree on campus will my credits transfer to the on campus program?
Yes. The credits through the distance education program are considered equal with our on-campus credits and will transfer.