|
Entrance Requirements
For admittance, all students are required to:
1. Fill out an Application (Adobe
PDF) to the college
and send in a $25 filing fee (non-refundable).
2. Write a testimony of their “new birth” in
Christ, and
3. Have a Pastor or Ministry leader send in a
letter of reference directly to the college.
4. Have an email address and be able to type and send all of
their assignments by email. Notice: All prospective students must formally
be accepted to the college through written notice. Students or perspective
enrollees who are currently leading a life of open or gross sin against
God (as outlined in I Cor. 6.9) or who belong to a cult or occult group will not
be admitted to the college. A false statement on the application is grounds for
dismissal, without credit or refund.
Scholarships, Grants and Assistance
We do not offer assistance to students at this time. We
recommend that students find a sponsor at their local church. We
will negotiate with your church for an extension campus, whereby your church can
assist you in your education. If you are an international student or
Pastor, it is advisable to start an extension campus and thereby share the costs
with others in your group. Location
SBC’s Home Office is located in Bakersfield,
California at 1213 McCurdy Drive. We have an extension campus in
Buxton, Maine and we are expanding into other areas internationally. However,
SBC was primarily founded for the Correspondence Student.
Student Life
Most students are taking our classes by correspondence.
They vary in experience, nationality, age, race and gender. They range
from active ministers of congregations to those who are newly “born again”.
Many are involved in “help” ministries such as church outreaches, youth
ministries, evangelistic endeavors, or counseling centers. However, there
are those who are seeking God for their calling, too.
Extension Campuses
Extension Campuses are available to pastors or
ministry leaders in communities outside Bakersfield, California. There
is an information packet on Extension Campuses that can be requested separately
from this catalog.
Internet Correspondence College
The Internet College is run separately from SBC
although the policies and procedures are similar. This branch of our ministry
has the same payment plan and schedule of classes. However, students are
not active participants of in-house classes. The student does the work
in their home. Classes must be completed within the quarter in order to
get credit. (See the payment plan and class schedule for further details.) The student studies their prescribed courses
and takes a final for each course. The Internet Correspondence College
allows for taking the same amount of classes and the same schedule as daytime
believers, if the correspondence students show a degree of prior success
and academic capability. The college does not issue a degree before a minimum
of 6 months attendance.
Course Information: Selection, Credit and Class
Scheduling
All in-house classes are given on a 10-week quarterly
basis with an extra week added for finals. Each lower division class
is worth 3 units. Upper Division classes are worth 4 units, Master's courses are
worth 5 units each, and Doctorate courses are 6 units each. The Master's thesis
is given 10 units upon completion and the Doctorate dissertation is given 12
units.
Lower division courses tuition is $150 for 3 classes, and
Upper division courses are $180 for 3 classes. The Graduate schedule is
separately rated. (Please see our price list
for details and fees: click here.)
We have one required program for Lower and Upper Division that
covers for major areas of study: Pastoral, Counseling, Missions/Evangelism
and Worship Leadership. The student decides which emphasis they would like
and upon the award of a degree, the student may have their degree labeled as
such: "Bachelor of Theology in Counseling", etc.
To qualify for an Upper degree status, there must be an Associates of Biblical Studies degree
or the equivalent in credits of lower division classes.
We credit classes from other established colleges whether they are Christian
or not, life experience and ministry experience. (see below)
In order for a student to qualify for a Master's
designation the student must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognized college;
and to be accepted for Doctorate candidacy the student must have a Master's
degree. The college does issue Honorary Doctorates for recognized
exemplary achievement in Christian leadership, however if this is student
requested, the graduate fees must be paid.
Grading
Grades are as follows: A=Excellent, B=Above Average,
C=Meets Requirements, D=Below requirements but passing, and F=Did not meet
sufficient requirements to pass, no credit. NG=No grade was given,
possible partial credit. WD=Withdrawal without credit. Inc=Incomplete,
no credit.
Other College Transfer Credits, and Life Credits
Credits may be counted from other registered
colleges. We are allowed to credit up to 50% of the course load that we
require for a degree. Students are also allowed to “challenge” courses
if they write a letter asking for such consideration. There is a fee for
“challenging” courses (see fees section).
We also are able to credit General Ed courses
providing they are in areas that pertain to basic education or areas that
would be essential in ministry. These courses must be evaluated and pre-approved
by the Dean before they are credited. Some typical courses of this
nature are: English, Math, Accounting, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology,
Speech and the like.
We credit up to 9 units for life or ministry
credits. The student must send in verification of life, or ministry
experiences. Once approved, the student must pay for the cost of
the 9 units in order for them to be credited.
Dean’s List
Students earning 9 units or more per quarter,
with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are recognized as being on
the “Dean’s List”. Students having an Incomplete in any course, or
having debts owed to the college, are not eligible for this honor, until
the debts are clear and the incompletes made up.
Rules of Conduct
Although we know that no one is perfect (except
Jesus), and that we are all creatures of a fallen state in our flesh, we
expect a good report on the behavioral conduct of our students. Due to
the fact that we are a Christian College, we ask that our students set
an example that is consistent with our Lord’s desire as it is outlined
in scriptures. The following pledge is a requirement to those seeking participation
in our college.
I pledge, to the best of my ability in Christ:
To uphold the ideals of Christ, as an example,
which includes a godly lifestyle.
1 Corinthians 9.14 Even so hath the Lord
ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
To remain steadfast in prayer.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.
To participate in a consistent work ethic in the
Word of God.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
To show a willingness to fellowship with other
committed Christians.
Hebrews 10.24-25 And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.
To try to keep the teachings of Jesus in all that
I do, with a meekness of spirit.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls.
To have a willingness to help those who are striving
to know Him and His Word. Matthew 25.40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
To have a true desire to prepare myself so that
I can truly benefit from my classes.
2 Timothy 2.15 Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth.
(Signature of student on application secures agreement
with the above pledge.)
Approval by the College
Since approval of the college is mandatory, each student
will be given a fair evaluation through their answers on the application, their
references and their testimony, regarding experience, desire, and "sin" within
the last 3 years. All answers are confidential, and will be evaluated by
our Pastoral staff. It is possible that the student may not be accepted
due to answers on the application, or that the student may be allowed to enroll
in the college on a probationary status. | 
