Frequently Asked QuestionsPlease read through "How does it Work?" also under the About Us heading. That contains a general overview of the seminary process.
|
|
Is the Seminary accredited?
We are currently an unaccredited institution of higher learning. However, we intend to apply for regional accreditation for our degree programs. We can begin the application process as soon as a class has graduated from each degree program.
I have an Associate’s Degree (or its equivalent). I want to apply to a Master of Divinity program, but it says I have to have a bachelor’s degree. Do I need to complete the Bachelor’s Degree first?
It is possible to earn credits simultaneously for both degree programs. If you take graduate level courses in topic areas that satisfy both the Master’s Degree and the Bachelor’s Degree, these courses will be counted towards your degree in both programs.
For example, if you take upper level Mariology, it will satisfy both the Mariology requirement for the M.Div. and an elective course for the bachelor’s. This allows students to move through their degree programs more quickly.
I have been accepted into the AAOCC. Do students in formation with the AAOCC pay for courses?
Students in the AAOCC clergy formation program can take courses with professors who are also clergy of the AAOCC “tuition deferred.” This means that their tuition and fees are tracked, but deferred. If a professor is not an AAOCC clergy, our formation candidates must pay a partial fee for that course in order that the professor, who is under contract to teach for payment, will receive the payment promised. This amount is less than the total tuition for the course. The difference between the reduced rate and the full rate is tracked and entered into the deferral record.
Students sign a contract with the seminary and the church that they will remain in ministry with the AAOCC for 5 years after their graduation. After 5 years, the total amount for their education is waived by %20 per year for the next 5 years.
If a student leaves before completing their degree, or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance of any kind or lack of communication, all tuition and fees accrued up until that point will be due in full at the time of their departure from the AAOCC. They may not register for courses, receive copies of their transcripts, or transfer credits to another institution until all accrued tuition and fees are paid in full.
If a student graduates from a degree program and leaves the AAOCC within the first 5 years after their graduation, or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance or lack of communication, the entire cost of their education, including all fees and tuition costs, will be due in full upon their official departure or their official separation from the jurisdiction.
If a student transfers to another jurisdiction or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance or lack of communication 6 years after their graduation, the total cost of their tuition and fees minus 20% of that total is due in full at the time of their departure.
After 9 years from the date of their graduation, all costs for their degree is considered satisfied. Should they leave or be separated from the AAOCC, they will owe nothing.
What is the cost of tuition for those not in the AAOCC?
For degree programs, tuition is $130 per course plus $25 per semester registration fee. All of our professors have accredited graduate degrees and are more than qualified to teach our courses. We, therefore, pay our professors; tuition costs go to our professors, to the costs of the technology required to provide long-distance education, and for fees required by the American Theological Schools accrediting board (which are substantial).
Can I transfer in credits from accredited & unaccredited schools?
Yes. You can transfer in credits from any accredited undergraduate or graduate program. Course credits earned at unaccredited theology schools may be transferred in so long as the syllabi for the courses taken at the other school match those of our own.
Do you offer scholarships for those who have lower incomes?
Unfortunately, because we are charging 10% of the normal cost per course and because we are unaccredited, we cannot offer scholarships for low income students.
Do you accept scholarship money granted to students to be used in schools of their own choosing?
Yes, we will gladly take payment from scholarship programs that allow you to use them on unaccredited degrees. Check with the terms of the scholarship to ensure that unaccredited degree programs are eligible.
Are there any special programs for veterans?
We offer to those who have served their country and have received honorable discharge a waiver of all registration fees and a reduction of per-course tuition. Because the majority of tuition paid goes to the professors, we cannot waive that. Proof of military service in the form of your DD214 must be provided.
What textbooks will we need for classes?
Each professor will determine what texts will be used for their classes. These will be listed in the syllabus for each course. Professors attempt to keep costs as low as possible for students.
When do I get the syllabi for my courses?
Each professor will send their students the syllabi within 2 weeks of the course beginning.
We are currently an unaccredited institution of higher learning. However, we intend to apply for regional accreditation for our degree programs. We can begin the application process as soon as a class has graduated from each degree program.
I have an Associate’s Degree (or its equivalent). I want to apply to a Master of Divinity program, but it says I have to have a bachelor’s degree. Do I need to complete the Bachelor’s Degree first?
It is possible to earn credits simultaneously for both degree programs. If you take graduate level courses in topic areas that satisfy both the Master’s Degree and the Bachelor’s Degree, these courses will be counted towards your degree in both programs.
For example, if you take upper level Mariology, it will satisfy both the Mariology requirement for the M.Div. and an elective course for the bachelor’s. This allows students to move through their degree programs more quickly.
I have been accepted into the AAOCC. Do students in formation with the AAOCC pay for courses?
Students in the AAOCC clergy formation program can take courses with professors who are also clergy of the AAOCC “tuition deferred.” This means that their tuition and fees are tracked, but deferred. If a professor is not an AAOCC clergy, our formation candidates must pay a partial fee for that course in order that the professor, who is under contract to teach for payment, will receive the payment promised. This amount is less than the total tuition for the course. The difference between the reduced rate and the full rate is tracked and entered into the deferral record.
Students sign a contract with the seminary and the church that they will remain in ministry with the AAOCC for 5 years after their graduation. After 5 years, the total amount for their education is waived by %20 per year for the next 5 years.
If a student leaves before completing their degree, or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance of any kind or lack of communication, all tuition and fees accrued up until that point will be due in full at the time of their departure from the AAOCC. They may not register for courses, receive copies of their transcripts, or transfer credits to another institution until all accrued tuition and fees are paid in full.
If a student graduates from a degree program and leaves the AAOCC within the first 5 years after their graduation, or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance or lack of communication, the entire cost of their education, including all fees and tuition costs, will be due in full upon their official departure or their official separation from the jurisdiction.
If a student transfers to another jurisdiction or is separated from the AAOCC for malfeasance or lack of communication 6 years after their graduation, the total cost of their tuition and fees minus 20% of that total is due in full at the time of their departure.
After 9 years from the date of their graduation, all costs for their degree is considered satisfied. Should they leave or be separated from the AAOCC, they will owe nothing.
What is the cost of tuition for those not in the AAOCC?
For degree programs, tuition is $130 per course plus $25 per semester registration fee. All of our professors have accredited graduate degrees and are more than qualified to teach our courses. We, therefore, pay our professors; tuition costs go to our professors, to the costs of the technology required to provide long-distance education, and for fees required by the American Theological Schools accrediting board (which are substantial).
Can I transfer in credits from accredited & unaccredited schools?
Yes. You can transfer in credits from any accredited undergraduate or graduate program. Course credits earned at unaccredited theology schools may be transferred in so long as the syllabi for the courses taken at the other school match those of our own.
Do you offer scholarships for those who have lower incomes?
Unfortunately, because we are charging 10% of the normal cost per course and because we are unaccredited, we cannot offer scholarships for low income students.
Do you accept scholarship money granted to students to be used in schools of their own choosing?
Yes, we will gladly take payment from scholarship programs that allow you to use them on unaccredited degrees. Check with the terms of the scholarship to ensure that unaccredited degree programs are eligible.
Are there any special programs for veterans?
We offer to those who have served their country and have received honorable discharge a waiver of all registration fees and a reduction of per-course tuition. Because the majority of tuition paid goes to the professors, we cannot waive that. Proof of military service in the form of your DD214 must be provided.
What textbooks will we need for classes?
Each professor will determine what texts will be used for their classes. These will be listed in the syllabus for each course. Professors attempt to keep costs as low as possible for students.
When do I get the syllabi for my courses?
Each professor will send their students the syllabi within 2 weeks of the course beginning.