Transfer Credit

Undergraduate or graduate credits earned at other recognized or accredited institutions may be acceptable for transfer. Transfer credits must fall within the college and seminary’s academic guidelines and are subject to approval by the Admissions Committee. A student desiring to transfer credits from another educational institution and be admitted to a degree program at the institution must submit official transcripts of all previous college and/or graduate records. The maximum amount of transfer credit for each program is listed below:

Transfer credit may be granted for courses taken at accredited institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) when such work parallels courses listed in this academic catalog. Applicable undergraduate courses and credits taken with a grade of D or better are transferable. Applicable graduate courses and credits taken with a grade of C or better are transferable. Transfer credit must be applied against each degree’s course requirements to ensure that the student meets the intent of the program objectives. Transfer credit is not granted toward a graduate program for studies completed at an undergraduate level (although exceptions may be made in the area of biblical language requirements). In addition, transfer credit is not granted for course work if it has been applied previously to another degree or if it is determined to be too dated.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to evaluate all non accredited institutions regarding their academic standards and educational viability to determine if limited transfer credit is allowable. Grades and grade point averages earned at another institution do not transfer. The credits may apply toward graduation, but the previous grade points are not used in calculating the academic average required for graduation. Also, transfer applicants should have left the sending institution in good academic, financial, and moral standing.

An applicant desiring a transfer credit evaluation should request such in writing to the Office of Admissions, accompanied by all pertinent transcripts, a list of courses proposed for transfer, and a copy of the academic catalog where the courses were taken. Semester hours from other schools will be converted to the institution’s quarter hour system. Transfer of credit does not occur automatically, it is handled only when requested. Final decisions regarding transfer credit rests with the Admissions Committee. Official transcripts that become part of a student’s permanent admission file must come directly from the sending institution.

Transferability of Credit Disclosure

Academic institutions are autonomous in determining policies for transfer of credit. Therefore, transfer of credit is controlled by the receiving institution meaning that Faith Evangelical College & Seminary cannot guarantee or promise transferability of credit either to or from another institution. Faith Evangelical College & Seminary is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and is listed as a “National Faith- Related” accrediting agency (see p. 16). Before beginning a program it is highly recommended that students investigate the policies of other institutions regarding the possibility of transfer credit from Faith Evangelical College & Seminary.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Transfer Credits

CPE units are earned through internship-type chaplaincy training positions with hospitals or other institutions offering accredited CPE education. The seminary does not offer a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program or specific CPE training. However, the seminary accepts credits from recognized Clinical Pastoral Education Centers. CPE credits from approved training centers may be transferred into degree programs. The seminary is able to apply a maximum total of 12 quarter hours of CPE education (1 unit) in transfer to the 136-hour Master of Divinity program or the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program (counseling concentration). The seminary is able to apply a maximum of 30 quarter hours of CPE education (2 units) at the undergraduate level.

Military Chaplaincy School Transfer Credits

The seminary accepts 12 hours of transfer credit toward the Master of Divinity upon the completion of Military Chaplaincy School. Additional hours may be attained through approved applied theology practicums during the course of study for chaplain candidates. Numerous benefit programs are available for veterans. Please contact Dr. Eric Rice (VA CertificationOfficer, ext. 20) for additional information.

Course Exemption

Exemption from certain required courses may be requested on the basis of previous work completed at another school. However, exemption does not equate to transfer credit. Alternative elective courses must be taken to make up the total number of credit hours required for a degree. Any person desiring exemption should submit such request in written form to the Registrar, accompanied by a transcript, a list of courses proposed for exemption, and a copy of the academic catalog where the courses were taken.

Undergraduate Credit by Examination

The college provides eligible undergraduate students an opportunity to earn credit by proctored examination in the area of general biblical studies. The Undergraduate Bible Examination (UBE), is offered in two areas: Old Testament and New Testament. Each examination passed is worth a
minimum of 5 quarter hours and a maximum of 15 quarter hours of academic credit (depending on the score received). The fee for each examination is $500 ($1,000 total), but the potential reduction in tuition is $4,800 if the student receives maximum credit for each examination. It is advisable that students take OT 200 (Old Testament Reading and Review) before taking the OT exam, and NT 200 (New Testament Reading and Review) before taking the NT exam.

Undergraduate Portfolio Credit

In accordance with guidelines established by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), the college has developed a way for undergraduate degree-seeking students to receive credit for prior ministry or learning experiences through a portfolio program. A maximum of 20 hours of portfolio credit may be granted for previous applied ministry experience. A maximum of 20 hours of portfolio credit may be granted for previous learning experiences that correspond to academic courses in the institution’s undergraduate curriculum. Credit granted must be course specific with respect to the student’s degree plan.

Portfolio components include (but are not limited to) the following: 1) Application for portfolio credit; 2) Chronological Record of ministry experience and/or academic endeavors; and 3) Documentation or attestation of ministry experience and/or academic endeavors. Students who apply for and receive portfolio credit will be charged $100 for each hour of credit granted.