Table of Contents

1. Policies
   1. General Information
   2. Admissions
   3. Student Services
   4. Finances
   5. Academics
2. Academic programs
3. Course listing

1a – General Information

Welcome Message from the President

Thank you for taking time to explore our graduate program here at God’s Bible School and College! For more than a century we have been passionately committed to training men and women to serve His church. Our alumni are serving His church around the world as pastors, educators, musicians, and missionaries.

As God continues to call men and women into ministry we desire to come alongside to assist and train them to do the work of ministry with excellence. We take this task seriously, and it shows in our classroom and in the lives of our alumni.

As you review this material, and seek His will, I pray that God will guide you. If you have questions about our course offerings or other related material, our staff will be happy to assist you. If feasible, I invite you to our campus.  We are tucked away in Cincinnati near downtown. We would love for you to come meet the dedicated staff and faculty of our graduate program!

Our purpose is clear: this program exists to glorify God and serve His church by providing graduate-level education to deepen the Biblical training and enhance the ministry effectiveness of Christlike servant-leaders.

College Calendar

View a comprehensive calendar of academic dates and campus events.

History of the School

Read an extensive history of God’s Bible School and College.

Accreditation

God’s Bible School and College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-621-7440
http://www.hlcommission.org/

God’s Bible School and College is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education.

The Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education
5850 T.G. Lee Boulevard, Suite 130
Orlando, FL 32822
407-207-0808
http://www.abhe.org

God’s Bible School and College is authorized by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to grant Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees.

Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43266

Philosophy of Graduate Education

GBSC’s philosophy of graduate education is rooted in the conviction that Scripture is the inspired and infallible word of God. As such, it provides the coordinating center for all degree programs and the touchstone for evaluating all truth claims. Further, we believe that truth must be loved and lived to be truly learned. Consequently, we seek to structure our graduate degrees to facilitate the integration of learning and life. We also believe that God is more glorified and His church is better served by Christlike servant-leaders whose knowledge of God and His Word has been deepened by advanced study and whose ministries have been enhanced by advanced skills development. Therefore, we seek to provide a context in which advanced study and skills development are cultivated together with Christlike humility and others-oriented service.

Mission Statement

Within the Division of Ministerial Education, the graduate program exists to glorify God and serve His church by providing graduate-level education shaped by Wesleyan conviction which deepens the Biblical training and enhances the ministry effectiveness of Christlike servant-leaders.

Our distinctives:

• Submitted to the authority of God’s inerrant, infallible Word.
• Founded in Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
• Determined to proclaim the redemptive power of the gospel and the transformative truth of Scripture.
• Passionate about articulating the message of Spirit-filled, holy living.
• Committed to a contextually-sound, Spirit-illumined exegesis; Spirit-anointed exposition; and Spirit-empowered application. Study of the Bible and its theology should result in practical transformation and humility, not pride and prejudice.

Doctrine

The historic position of God’s Bible School and College is summarized in our institutional Statement of Faith. This statement represents the common core of holiness teachings, following the pattern of John Wesley and early Methodism. Certain items of this common core of doctrine have been given special emphasis during the history of the school from the days of its founder to the present. These special items deserve restatement here as a part of the institution’s spiritual heritage:

• The missionary responsibility of the Christian;
• The importance and power of prayer;
• The blessed hope of the return of the Lord Jesus;
• The promise and possibility of physical healing in answer to the prayer of faith; and
• The life of separation which befits a Christian testimony.

The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself is the sole and final source of all that we believe. We do believe, however, that the institutional Statement of Faith accurately represents the teaching of the Bible and, therefore, is binding upon all Board Trustees, officers, employees, and activities of the Corporation.

Ethos Statement/Statement of Conduct

God’s Bible School and College is a non-denominational school in the Wesleyan-Methodist tradition that welcomes students from a wide variety of denominational backgrounds. Students are expected to interact charitably with others of differing theological backgrounds. Such interaction respects others by avoiding ad hominem arguments, disparaging comments, and stereotyping. Students are expected to first seek to understand any position before they critique it and to apply the Second Great Commandment to their word choice, tone, and attitude. Because online interaction often lacks the body-language cues that make up such a great percentage of normal personal interaction, it is crucial that students practice 1 Corinthians 13’s admonition that love assumes the best about others and their intentions, giving others the same freedom to grow that we want for ourselves.

Locations/Campus Maps

View directions to campus.

Libraries

God’s Bible School and College possesses a wide range of on-campus and online library resources, including the R.G. Flexon Memorial Library, Schmul Library and Ministerial Resource Center, and the Gale Missions Library.

1b – Admissions Information

Contact Information

Office of Graduate Studies
1810 Young St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Graduate Admissions Counselor
Email address: gradinfo@gbs.edu
Phone number: 513-763-6575

Application Form

You can complete your Application for Admission here.

General Admission Requirements

Post-Baccalaureate Students

In order to be considered for acceptance into GBSC’s graduate program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
   • Students with bachelor’s degrees from non-accredited institutions must provide with their application a link to their institution’s catalog and the syllabi for the Bible and Theology courses they completed there.
   • Mature persons without a bachelor’s degree but capable of master’s level work may contact the Graduate Admissions Counselor (gradinfo@gbs.edu) to explore options for study at GBSC.
2. Have completed a minimum of thirty undergraduate semester hours in Bible and Theology.
   • Students with fewer than thirty semester hours of coursework in Bible and Theology should contact the Graduate Admissions Counselor to discuss the options available for fulfilling this requirement.
3. Demonstrate strong Christian character evidenced by active engagement in ministry, moral integrity, and a level of spiritual maturity suitable for Christian leadership.
4. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for the MA in Ministry degree and 3.00 for the MA in Biblical Studies degree.
   • Students with a cumulative GPA of less than required minimums, but who meet all other admissions requirements, may be considered for admission on Conditional Acceptance.
5. Technology proficiency: Given the online nature of the GBSC Graduate Program, students must have the following technology proficiencies: 1) have easy and reliable broadband internet access; 2) be proficient in the use of the internet and online email accounts; 3) be comfortable with downloading and uploading documents; 4) be able to use programs such as Microsoft Office applications to create documents and presentations; 5) be willing to learn how to use online learning platforms, synchronous video software, and discussion forums.
6. Complete all application procedures (see Application Procedures).

International Students

In addition to meeting the General Admission Requirements and following the regular application procedure, international students seeking admission to GBSC’s graduate program must provide the following information:

1. A TOEFL score that indicates the student’s ability to work at a graduate level with the English language, if English is not the student’s first language. A total score of 80 or above on the internet-based TOEFL (IBT) is acceptable. The student should have an official copy of the test score sent directly to the Registrar.  
2. A theological or exegetical research paper written in English by the applicant which demonstrates ability to do graduate-level work in English.
3. An endorsement from the student’s sending church or Christian organization indicating plans for ministry after graduation from GBSC.

We regret that GBSC is unable to assist international students in relocating to the United States.

3 + 2 BA/MA Students

In order to be considered for acceptance into GBSC’s 3 + 2 BA/MA program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a current GBSC undergraduate student and have completed a minimum of two consecutive semesters of study at GBSC as an on-campus student.
2. Have completed at least 60 semester hours.
3. Demonstrate strong Christian character evidenced by active engagement in ministry, moral integrity, and a level of spiritual maturity suitable for Christian leadership.
4. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for the MA in Ministry degree and 3.00 for the MA in Biblical Studies degree.
5. Complete all application procedures (see Application Procedure).

Non-Matriculated Students

Persons who desire to take courses for professional development, Continuing Education Credit (CEUs), or similar reasons may apply to be accepted under Limited Enrollment status.

No more than 12 credits taken by nonmatriculated students may be transferred into a degree program.

Application Procedure

If applying for scholarships, one’s application for enrollment in the fall semester is due April 30. The final application deadline for fall enrollment is June 1. Applications for enrollment in the spring semester are due October 1. Applications must be completed online.

The required components for application include:

1. A completed application form. A non-refundable application fee of $40.00 must accompany the application.
2. Final official transcripts. Transcripts are required for all previous academic work undertaken at any college or university. Applicants must request that official copies be mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies and are responsible for any costs incurred in obtaining transcripts. GBSC alumni or students applying for the 3 + 2 program must have a copy of their current transcript sent to the Office of Graduate Studies in conjunction with their application. For information on how to obtain a GBSC transcript, see www.gbs.edu/transcript.
3. Three written recommendations. Recommendations should come from at least one of each of the following: a pastor or spiritual leader, a major professor or academic advisor, and a current supervisor/employer. Reference forms are embedded in the online application and are available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Applicants must provide in their application form the email addresses for each of their references, and if a referent does not have an email address, a printable PDF is available on the application form for the applicant to print off and give to him/her.
4. A recent picture of the applicant.
5. Several essays must accompany the application and address the topics identified on the application form.

Non-Discrimination Policy

God’s Bible School and College does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin in its admission of students or employment of its faculty and staff.

Admission Categories

Matriculated

Matriculated students are those who have been admitted and are enrolled in a degree program. All degree program requirements are incumbent upon matriculated students who may be granted one of the statuses listed below. Matriculated students who desire to change their status must consult with their advisor and supply the requisite paperwork to the Office of Graduate Studies.

1. Full-time Status. Full-time students take full load (9 hours/semester) with a maximum load of 12 hours per semester.
2. 3 + 2 Program. Students in the 3 + 2 program take a combination of graduate and undergraduate courses to earn both a BA and an MA simultaneously. Students accepted into the 3 + 2 Program in their junior year, take 3 hours of graduate work per semester along with undergraduate courses, adding 3 more graduate hours per semester each succeeding year.  In their fifth and final year, students take a full load (9 hours/semester) of graduate courses per semester along with 3 hours of undergraduate work.
3. Reduced Load Status. Students enrolled in a degree program may apply for reduced-load status if they are unable to take a full load. Reduced load students may take a maximum of 6 hours per semester.  A minimum of 3 hours per semester is required to remain enrolled in a degree program.
4. Conditional Acceptance Status. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.00-2.49 wishing to enter the MA in Ministry degree program, or with a GPA between 2.50-2.99 wishing to enter the MA in Biblical Studies degree program, while meeting all other admissions requirements, may be considered for admission on Conditional Acceptance. Students who are accepted on Conditional Acceptance will be restricted no more than to 6 hours of coursework per semester and a cumulative total of 9 hours (25% of a degree) while in this status. Applicants granted Conditional Acceptance may remain in this status for no more than two semesters and must achieve a 2.67 GPA in the MA in Ministry degree, or a 3.17 GPA in the MA in Biblical Studies degree to be granted Full-time or Reduced-load status. If the student does not succeed in doing so, he/she will be placed on Academic Suspension and will not be permitted to register for credit for at least one semester.
5. Academic Probation. A student is placed on academic probation when his/her cumulative GPA falls below the threshold GPA required for acceptance into his/her respective program (2.5 for MA in Ministry, 3.0 for MA in Biblical Studies), and will be notified of the change of status in writing. During semesters when a student is on academic probation, the student may not carry an academic load in excess of 6 hours. If, after the second semester on academic probation the student has not achieved the threshold GPA, he/she will be placed on Academic Suspension and will not be permitted to register for courses for at least one semester. 
6. Academic Remediation. Students that have been readmitted after their first academic suspension are put under academic remediation and may not take more than 3 credit hours per semester. In order to be released from academic remediation the student must attain a term GPA that meets the threshold GPA for entrance into his/her respective degree in the first term after he/she has been readmitted.  If the student does attain a term GPA that meets the program’s threshold GPA, the student returns to academic probation and has no more than two semester to achieve the program’s threshold cumulative GPA. Failure to achieve the program’s threshold cumulative GPA after being on academic probation a second time will result in the student no longer being permitted to enroll in courses.

Non-matriculated

Students who have been admitted to GBSC but are not enrolled in a degree program are non-matriculated.

1. Limited Enrollment. A student who does not plan to complete a degree at GBSC or elsewhere but desires to take graduate courses for credit may be admitted under Limited Enrollment status. Such students must take a minimum of 3 hours per year to retain their enrollment status. The maximum number of hours permitted in this status is 3 hours per semester.
2. Transfer Status. Students who desire to take courses from GBSC in order to transfer them into another institution’s program will be admitted as transfer students. Students who are accepted for Transfer status may take up to 9 hours of coursework per semester, provided that the cumulative total of all graduate coursework in which the student is enrolled does not exceed 12 hours per semester.
3. GBSC Undergraduate Students. GBSC undergraduate students may take graduate courses without being matriculated into a graduate degree program. Graduate classes may be taken to fulfill both credit hour requirements and program requirements for undergraduate degrees.For GBSC students who intend to complete a graduate degree from GBSC after their BA, no more than six graduate hours may be used to fulfill both BA and MA credit hour requirements simultaneously. Such students may take more than six graduate hours to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements, but those additional credit hours will not count toward the required number of credit hours needed for a GBSC graduate degree.

Application Approval Process

An application to the Graduate Program will be considered by the Graduate Admissions Committee once all the required paperwork has been received by the Graduate Office. The Admissions Committee will review the application, do any necessary verification, and vote on its approval. Applications receiving a majority vote of approval from the Graduate Admissions Committee will be accepted. The acceptance or non-acceptance of the application will be communicated to the applicant with a hard-copy letter from the Graduate Office. Accepted applicants will also receive the information necessary for them to continue the registration process. All decisions by the Graduate Admissions Committee are final. Applicants who are not accepted may re-apply the semester following the rejection of their application.

Transfer Credit Policies

Students who desire to transfer coursework from other graduate institutions must meet all of the general requirements for admission. To petition for acceptance of transfer credits, students must provide a written petition to the Office of Graduate Studies requesting a transfer of credits, a copy of the course description for each course they desire to transfer, and an official transcript that clearly indicates course codes, titles, final grades earned, and course credits earned. Students may be asked to provide course syllabi so that course equivalency may be ascertained.

Full credit is given for work satisfactorily completed at accredited institutions, provided these courses apply to the student’s degree program. No credit will be granted for previous courses with a grade of less than “B-” or its equivalent.

Particular attention is paid to the level of instruction and the quality of the petitioned courses. The level of instruction of previous coursework may be ascertained through expectations listed on the course syllabi, level and amount of required reading, and general comparison with comparable syllabi of current faculty. The transfer credit will be officially awarded if the student has earned a GPA equal to or greater than the threshold GPA required for entry into his/her respective program after completing a full semester in the GBSC Graduate Program.

Up to 18 hours may be transferred into the MA in Ministry and up to 15 hours into the MA in Biblical Studies. No more than half the hours used to complete another degree may be applied toward a degree at GBSC.

Credit Conversion Policies

Students who have taken graduate courses at GBSC for undergraduate credit may apply to convert the undergraduate credit into graduate credit.  If the application is approved, the student will be assessed the difference between the current graduate tuition rate and the amount paid for the undergraduate course. The graduate program fees will also be assessed if they were not paid during the semester in which the graduate course was taken. No credit may be converted for courses with a grade of less than a “C-” or its equivalent.

Program Change Policies

Students who desire to change degree programs must meet their advisor and gain recommendation for the program change. Upon gaining the advisor’s recommendation, the student may complete the requisite paperwork and submit it to the Office of Graduate Studies for processing. If the student’s advisor does not recommend the program change, he/she may appeal to the Graduate Program Director. All decisions by the Graduate Program Director are final.

Preparing for Graduate Studies

Undergraduate Preparation

All students for post-baccalaureate graduate degree programs in the Ministerial Education Division must have completed a minimum of 30 hours of Bible and Theology coursework.

Students who anticipate pursuing the MA in Biblical Studies degree should complete two years of Koine Greek studies and one year of Biblical Hebrew studies that approximate the undergraduate courses provided at GBSC. View syllabi for those courses here: Greek IA, Greek IB, Greek IIA, Greek IIB, Hebrew IA, and Hebrew IB.

Deficiency Remediation

Students who do not have the prerequisite hours in Bible and Theology must remediate their deficiencies before beginning their graduate coursework. For students who plan to pursue the MA in Biblical Studies and are lacking the prerequisite language studies, it is strongly encouraged that the languages be completed before beginning their graduate coursework. Lacking that linguistic foundation will significantly impact the depth of one’s learning. At a minimum, such students must complete Greek I before beginning their graduate coursework. Greek II and Hebrew I may be completed while enrolled as a graduate student, but must be completed prior to taking the required exegesis courses.

Introduction to Graduate Studies

All students who have been admitted to a graduate degree program at GBSC will be required to complete the Introduction to Graduate Studies tutorial course prior to beginning any graduate coursework. This tutorial addresses the following topics: how to access library resources, writing style manuals, bibliographic resources; how to manage research information; and how to use the learning management system, asynchronous discussion board, and synchronous video software.

1c – Student Services

Student Rights and Responsibilities

As part of the educational experience at GBSC, students are encouraged to express their goals, points of view and needs. GBSC supports students’ freedom individually and collectively. GBSC also encourages students to express their views on issues or matters of general interest—providing they do so in a manner consistent with biblical principles and with the orderly functioning of the institution. In order to provide an environment conducive to learning, GBSC depends on the cooperation of the entire academic community of which each student forms a vital part. GBSC has personnel whose responsibility is to protect the rights of all of its students. Although freedom of expression is important, such freedom does not include the right to interfere with the program of the College nor hinder others in accomplishing their individual social and academic goals. GBSC expects students to take their academic responsibility seriously and to contribute positively to the life of the College by respecting the structures of the institution and its people. GBSC students are encouraged to work hard, study hard, participate actively in the life and spirit of the Institution and take advantage of the opportunities available. The administration, faculty, and staff look forward to working together with students toward this end.

School Mail

All official graduate program mail will be sent to the mailing address provided by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the institution in the event of a change of mailing address.

Email from God’s Bible School and College

Upon acceptance to the graduate program, the Office of Graduate Studies will provide students with a free @gbs.edu email and Google Apps account. The @gbs.edu account serves as the official means of communication between the institution and the students. This is the only email address to which the administration and faculty will send correspondence, and it is therefore the student’s responsibility to check the account regularly, as students will be held accountable for the information delivered via this email address.

Buzz

The learning management system used for all graduate program courses is Buzz. It is the platform through which students can access their course work, submit assignments, receive class announcements, view their grades, etc. Each student will receive login information upon registration and is responsible for accessing Buzz regularly in order to keep up with courses and announcements. Students will be held responsible for the information made available on their Buzz accounts.

Tutorials on using Buzz will be provided in the Introduction to Graduate Studies course. Students may contact the Office of Graduate Studies for any further assistance or information.

Piazza

The graduate program uses Piazza as its official platform for asynchronous communication such as discussion forums, student polls, and student-to-student support. Students will be added to the Piazza group for each course for which they register. Piazza automatically notifies each student when they are added to the course and provides all the login information necessary to access the discuss site. Students are responsible for checking their accounts regularly for any updates or information for which they will be held responsible.

Tutorials on using Piazza are available on the website at http://support.piazza.com/. Students can contact the Office of Graduate Studies for any further assistance or information.

Block Sessions

Some courses offered in the graduate program may require students to attend block class sessions on campus. Attendance is required for all students in the course, unless an exception is granted by the course professor and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Lodging is available on campus, and must be reserved in advance through the Office of Graduate Studies. Students participating in block sessions are also welcome to enjoy meals at the campus cafeteria. Lodging and meal costs are available on request from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Textbook Purchases

Required textbooks will be given in each course syllabus. Course syllabi will be posted a minimum of two weeks prior to the start of classes, and it is the student’s responsibility to obtain the needed textbooks in time to use them in class work. A student’s budget should allow $300-$500 per year to cover the costs of textbooks and other academic supplies.

Graduate Culture

In order to sustain and enhance community among graduate students and faculty, the graduate program provides several avenues to facilitate conversation between students, faculty and program administrators beyond the classroom.

The Graduate Forum is an asynchronous discussion forum in which students and faculty can chat online, ask and answer questions, and discuss extra-curriculum subjects. The Graduate Forum is hosted on Piazza.com and all students who enroll in classes during a given semester are added to the forum automatically.

The Office of Graduate Studies also provides two or three live-stream or synchronous video conferences each semester. These conferences will feature roundtable discussions, current thought leaders, or Q&A sessions on contemporary issues.

1d – Financial Information

Fees and Expenses/Tuition

Tuition
Tuition per class: $1,320.00
Tuition per hour*: $440.00

Auditing
Cost per hour: $220.00

Program Fees**
Library: $50.00
IT: $50.00
General: $50.00
Graduate mentor honorarium***: $100.00

Other Fees
Application: $40.00
Graduation: $100.00

*GBSC alumni receive a $40 per credit hour scholarship.
** Program Fees are charged on a per semester basis to all students enrolled in courses for credit, audit, or credit conversions.
*** The full sum of the graduate mentor honorarium is awarded to each student’s approved graduate mentor.

Students should be aware that some classes may have fees associated with them. Enrollment in such classes will result in the fee being automatically added to the student’s bill.

Student Payment Policies

Full Payment

All student accounts are due and payable at the time of enrollment. If the student is able to make full payment at registration, a 2% discount on tuition will be given.

Deferred Payment Plans

If the student is unable to make full payment at registration, a deferred payment plan must be arranged with the Cashier’s Office before registration is complete. Under this plan, all of the fees and 20% of the outstanding balance are due at registration. The remaining balance is then divided into four equal monthly payments.

Deferred payments become due and payable on the 10th of each month and will become delinquent if not paid by the 15th of each month.

Billing Statements

Students will receive monthly billing statements via email on the first of each month. These statements reflect the status of the student’s account current to the date of the statement.

Overdue/late Payment Policy

A $15 late-payment charge will be added to the student’s account if payment is not made by the 25th day of the month. If a student’s account becomes 35 days past due, the individual will lose his/her student status.  Final grades and transcripts are not available until all financial obligations have been met.

Refund Policies

Withdrawal from School

Voluntary Withdrawal

In financial matters, the relationship between the student and the institution takes the form of a contract. For this reason, refunds to students not completing a full term of study will be made only after the student completes a withdrawal petition form and obtains the required clearance signatures listed on the form.

Students that wish to withdraw should complete and submit the withdrawal petition form, found here. Students who have completed the withdrawal petition and have obtained the necessary clearances will receive refunds following the schedule below (effective withdrawal date is the day the completed form is submitted). There is no refund for fees.

If the effective withdrawal date is…	The student receives…
Within first 2 weeks of semester	100% refund
During 3rd week of semester	80% refund
During 4th week of semester	60% refund
During 5th week of semester	40% refund
During 6th week of semester	20% refund
After the 6th week of semester	No refund

Refund Medical/Health Withdrawal

In cases where it becomes necessary for a student to completely withdraw from school due to medical or other health reasons, and if there is adequate documentation by a physician and/or health professional, tuition will be prorated by the week or any portion for a week attended. Fees are charged at 100 percent. The withdrawal should be coordinated through the Office of Graduate Studies, which will review any necessary documentation related to the nature of the withdrawal.

Involuntary Withdrawal (Dismissal)

In the event that a student is expelled, no refund will be made for any charges that have been applied to the student’s account for the semester in which he or she is expelled. If the semester balance is not paid in full, he or she will be billed for the remaining balance.

Improper Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from school without completing a withdrawal petition form will be considered to have “improperly withdrawn.” In those cases, no refund is granted to the student. If the semester balance is not paid in full, he or she will be billed for the remaining balance.

Title IV Funds

If a student withdraws completely from the institution during any given enrollment period, the amount of the student Title IV funds that should be returned must be calculated.

If this calculation indicates that funds should be returned, a specific order of refund has been established by the federal government:

1. To outstanding balances on Direct loans (Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, Subsidized Federal Direct Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan)
2. To the Federal Perkins loan
3. To other Title IV assistance
4. To other federal, state, private, or institutional aid
5. To the student

Federal regulations state that students who withdraw from school may keep only the Title IV financial aid funds they have earned up to the date of withdrawal. Students earn their financial aid by attending classes and completing coursework. Students who fail all classes in a given term with unearned “F” grades may also need to return some Title IV loan funds. An unearned “F” occurs when a student never attends or participates in less than 60% of the semester.

If a student earns less aid than was disbursed, the institution is required to return a portion of the funds and the student may be required to return a portion of the funds. Once the Title IV funds are returned, the student may have a balance due on his/her school account.

When a student withdraws and receives a refund, the Financial Aid Office will automatically use the student’s institutional refund as payment toward what must be returned to the Title IV federal student loan programs. The student will be billed by the school if the amount to be returned is greater than the institutional refund to the student’s account. The student may be required to repay to the school a portion of student loan funds that were directly disbursed to him/her.

Dropping Courses

If a student drops a course on or before the published last date to drop a course, a refund of tuition and any special fees applicable to that course will be made to the student’s account. However, tuition and special fees for courses dropped will not be refunded after the first two weeks of the semester, except in the case of voluntary withdrawal. After the last date to drop a class, students may withdraw from a class until the last date allowed to do so. However, no refund of fees or tuition will be given in such a case.

Financial Aid Information

General Overview

A limited number of scholarships are available. These are awarded in the fall semester for both the fall and spring semesters. Federal Title IV loan are available for qualified students. All loans are given according to federal regulations.

Pell Grants

Students in the 3 + 2 program may be eligible for full Pell Grants for their first eight semesters in the program or until they have completed 100 undergraduate hours, at which point students are considered graduate students for federal financial aid purposes.

Eligibility

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit. Eligibility for federal financial aid is dependent on the student’s maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Application Process

Students can submit an online application for scholarships here. All scholarship applications must be submitted on or before April 30 in order to be considered for the following school year.

Loan Information

Federal Title IV loans are available for qualifying students. Information on the types of loans available can be found here, and their repayment plans here, including income-based repayment plans that cap loan payments to 10% of your discretionary income and include built-in loan forgiveness.

For any additional information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies.

Loss of Financial Eligibility Policy

In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), students must meet all of the following criteria, each of which is explained further below.

1. Maintain a satisfactory cumulative grade point average (GPA)
2. Complete an appropriate percentage of the credit hours attempted (completion rate)
3. Complete their degree program within a specified time (time limit)

Satisfactory GPA Criteria

In order for a student to retain his/her eligibility for financial aid, the student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 if enrolled in the MA in Ministry program or 3.0 if enrolled in the MA in Biblical Studies MA. Students’ GPA will be reviewed at the end of every spring semester to determine whether or not a student is eligible for financial aid for the following academic year.

Completion Rate Criteria

The minimum completion rate for students in the GBSC Graduate program is 67%. In other words, a student must consistently complete 67% of his/her attempted credit hours in a given academic year in order to be eligible for financial aid.

Time Limit Criteria

Students wishing to receive financial aid must also complete their degree program in 150% of the published degree length. In other words, to complete a 36-hour graduate degree, a student may attempt up to 54 credit hours without losing financial aid eligibility.

Transcript Requests

All academic records are permanently retained by the school. Information regarding how to request a copy of a transcript may be found online at https://catalog.gbs.edu/transcript.

1e – Academic Information

Course Delivery Methods

Fully online with Synchronous Video

All courses will be delivered through the GBSC learning management system, Buzz. Assignment submission and course grading will occur in Buzz. The majority of courses will include weekly synchronous (real-time) video group discussions and/or lectures and may include archived video lectures as well.

Online + Block session

In some cases, courses will be offered as block sessions rather than online. Courses offered in this fashion will be noted on the course schedule, and attendance at the block session will be necessary to successfully complete the course.

Credit Hour Policy

The semester hour is the unit of credit. Credit hours are assigned to courses in accordance with federal requirements and with standard practice in higher education. According to GSBC policy, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or

(2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practicums, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

The Academic Year

The regular academic year is divided into 2 semesters of 15 weeks each.

Academic Advising

Academic advisors are assigned to graduate students in order to assist them in planning their academic course of study. Advisors help graduate students to select courses that will fit in their degree program and also help them better equip themselves for ministry. Graduate students need to consult with their advisors in order for their registration selections to be approved.

Integrity

God’s Bible School and College is committed to the pursuit of integrity in all aspects of life, reaching beyond the spiritual and the moral to also include the intellectual aspect of life. The honest pursuit of truth and knowledge is the goal of the academic community. Students and faculty are equally responsible in maintaining a high level of integrity as a part of their commitment to that pursuit of truth. Any action without academic integrity and intellectual honesty violates the trust of the academic and Christian community, and displays character unsuited for ministry. For a more extended discussion of academic integrity, see our Academic Integrity Policy.

Academic Dishonesty

It is the responsibility of faculty not only to maintain the integrity of their own academic pursuits, but also to establish guidelines to clarify the guidelines for students’ academic work. The following activities constitute academic dishonesty: violation of copyright laws, plagiarism, reusing previously and/or concurrently submitted material in another class without faculty permission, cheating by copying from another’s work, allowing another to copy from one’s own work, reading an examination prior to the date it is given without the instructor’s permission, and similar types of conduct. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form.

Academic Appeals

A student may appeal a grade to the instructor up to 60 days from the last day of the finals for that particular semester. If the student remains dissatisfied with the decision, he/she may appeal the instructor’s decision in accordance with the Academic Affairs Appeals Procedure.

Auditing Courses

It is possible to register for and take classes without earning credit. In order to audit a class, the student must meet the prerequisites for the course and obtain permission from the instructor and the Graduate Program Director. Permission is granted per discretion of the instructor and class size. Students who are only auditing a course in the Graduate Program are also assessed the $150 semesterly general graduate program fee in addition to the auditing fee.

Class Attendance

Student attendance is required whether courses meet in block session or through synchronous video sessions. Students who are absent may avoid penalty by viewing recordings of the sessions and notifying the professor that they have viewed them in their entirety. Failure to attend or view class sessions may result in academic penalty, per faculty syllabi, and will result in automatic course failure if more than 30% of the sessions are missed.

Critical Thinking and Research Philosophy

The purpose of a Master of Arts degree is to enrich and deepen the student’s ability to think and act on an appropriate basis. Essential to such thinking and acting are critical thinking and research skills.

Critical thinking involves (1) justification of one’s presuppositions and methods in addressing a topic, (2) evaluation of assertions and inferences based on their use of data, coherence, and cogency, (3) drawing logical inferences (both inductive and deductive) from legitimate evidence, (4) interaction with a representative range of opinion on a subject, (5) appropriate and accurate use of secondary and primary sources, and (6) the recognition of the relationships between disparate ideas in consequence of the unitary nature of truth.

To facilitate the development of critical thinking students are encouraged to access online summary resources, such as Critical Thinking Demystified and Thinking at a Graduate Level. Additional explanatory resources may be found at criticalthinking.org.

Graduate literary research should be characterized, first, by a canvassing of secondary literature in order to understand not only the conclusions which scholars have articulated publicly, but also their presuppositions, approaches, and use of data. Second, it should be characterized by critical evaluations of the comprehensiveness of the data used to form conclusions and the logical coherence of arguments made based upon a first-hand acquaintance with primary literature. Cross-disciplinary interaction is encouraged. At the Master of Arts level, use of non-English secondary literature is not required.

Writing Styles

All classes require students to use the current Turabian style manual. Special permission to use the SBL Handbook of Style may be given on an individual basis.

Course Registration

Only students who have been formally accepted may register for classes. In conjunction with their assigned advisor, each student will select the semester’s courses and develop their program of study.

Returning students will register for their classes with an academic advisor during the registration period indicated on the GBSC academic calendar. A late registration fee will be required of returning students who do not complete registration during this period.

Course Change, Drop and Withdrawal

If a student wishes to add or drop a class, it should be done before or on the published drop/add deadline. A fee will be assessed if the change is made after the registration deadline. Courses may not be added after the above mentioned date. 

Students may withdraw from a course after the registration deadline but only before or on the published drop/add deadline. In such a case, a “W” will be assigned to the course. Should a student withdraw without the proper paperwork, or after the add/drop deadline, an “F” will be assigned to the course. 

Students can obtain the necessary documentation for adding, dropping or withdrawing from a class from their academic advisor, and must ensure that it has been submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies on or before the applicable dates.

Grading System

The following grading system is used by all faculty in the graduate program at God’s Bible School and College:

All grades are calculated on a ten percent scale:

• 93-100 = A
• 90-92 = A-
• 87-89 = B+
• 83-86 = B
• 80-82 = B-
• 77-79 = C+
• 73-76 = C
• 70-72 = C-
• 67-69 = D+
• 63-66 = D
• 60-62 = D-
• 0-59 = F

A grade of F indicates failure and necessitates a satisfactory repetition of the course before credit can be allowed.

A “W” indicates a course from which a student has withdrawn.

A “CR” is given if the student successfully completes a course for which no letter grade is given. If the student fails to complete such a course successfully, an “NC” is given.

An “N” indicates that a class is in progress. An “N” may only be issued by the Academic Committee when there are circumstances beyond the student’s control that require additional time for the course’s work to be completed.

An “SA” is given if the student successfully audits a class (attends at least two-thirds of the sessions). Unsuccessful audits result in a “UA.”

Course Extension Policy

An incomplete may be awarded by an instructor in the event that extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing a course by the end of the semester. A maximum of seven weeks extension beyond the end of the semester (last day of the last week of the course) can be given. The length of the course extension will be determined by the course professor. Should such an extension be granted, a $200 course extension fee will be charged to the student’s account. Once the extension has expired, the incomplete will change to the grade earned by the student in the course.

To apply for such a status, the student is responsible to complete the Application for Course Extension form, which will be reviewed by both the Graduate Office and the course professor. The student will be notified via email whether or not the application was approved.

Course Repeat Policy

Only courses in which the student has earned an “F” may be repeated. If a course is repeated, the original “F” on the official transcript will remain, but will not be figured into the student’s cumulative GPA. If the course is repeated more than once, each of the subsequent grades after the first attempt will appear on the transcript and be calculated into the cumulative GPA. To repeat a course more than once, permission must be requested from the Graduate Program Director.

Examinations

All students, whether or not English is their primary language, are expected to complete all examinations—quizzes, midterms, finals, comprehensive exams, graduate language proficiency examinations, and otherwise—within the time allotted for that particular exam. Those students covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should consult with their professors if they need adjustments in the length or manner of their exams based on their disability.

Transcripts

The school retains a record of accepted students’ applications who do not enroll for two years. Application recommendations for students are not retained after a student is accepted for course work.

All academic records are permanently retained by the school. Information regarding how GBSC students can request a copy of their transcripts may be found online at https://catalog.gbs.edu/transcript.

Course Enrollments

Normal minimum enrollment for the offering of a graduate course will be three students. Exceptions to this minimum may be arranged by the Graduate Program Director and the course’s professor.

Academic/Course Grievances and Complaints

Should a student wish to appeal the academic decision of a faculty member, he/she must discuss the grievance with faculty member, mentioning all points of concern, before initiating any formal appeal.

Should the student not be satisfied with the outcome of his/her personal appeal, he/she can file a written appeal to the Graduate Program Director within sixty (60) days of the last days of finals of the applicable semester. The Graduate Program Director will provide a written response within ten (10) days of receiving the appeal.

Should the student not be satisfied with the response from the Graduate Program Director, he/she may submit a written appeal to the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) within ten (10) days of receiving the Graduate Program Director’ response. The VPAA will provide a written response within ten (10) days of receiving the appeal.

Should the student not be satisfied with the VPAA’s response, he/she can appeal to the President of the college, within ten (10) days of receiving the response of the VPAA. The decision of the President is final.

For more information, access Academic/Course Grievances and Complaints Policy.

Language Requirements

Students applying for the MA in Biblical Studies must have completed the language prerequisites (Hebrew I; Greek I and II) prior to enrolling. Students who need to complete these language prerequisites may do so through GBSC’s online education program.  A prerequisite for graduating from this program is the successful completion of a comprehensive biblical language exit exam. The exam’s language focus (Greek, Hebrew, or both) will reflect the coursework the student has taken.

Veteran Affairs/Educational Benefits

GBSC is approved to give training to veterans and veterans’ orphans who qualify for such benefits. Awards vary according to years of service and contributions. Those who are eligible under this program should notify the Office of Graduate Studies of their eligibility so that appropriate steps can be taken to access available benefits.

Incomplete Work

Incomplete work is a temporary course status awarded at the discretion of the professor for extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from completing the course by the end of the semester, and is designated with an “I” on the student’s then-current transcript. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the professor regarding arrangements for the completion of the course. The maximum time allowed for completion must not exceed seven weeks beyond the end of the semester, in which case the incomplete will be changed to the grade earned by the student in the course.

Academic Probation, Suspension and Remediation

A student is placed on academic probation when his/her GPA falls below the threshold GPA required for acceptance into his/her respective program (2.5 for MA in Ministry, 3.0 for MA in Biblical Studies), and will be notified of the change of status in writing. During semesters when a student is on academic probation the student may not carry an academic load in excess of 6 hours. If, after the second semester on academic probation, the student has not achieved the threshold GPA, he/she will be placed on Academic Suspension and will not be permitted to register for courses for at least one semester. The student must apply for readmission into the program under academic remediation status and may take no more than 3 hours per semester.

To be released from academic remediation status the student must, within the first semester that he/she is readmitted,  achieve a term GPA that meets his/her degree program’s threshold GPA. Should the student not attain the term GPA threshold within the required period of time, he/she will be notified in writing and will no longer be permitted to enroll in courses.

If the student does attain a term GPA that meets the program’s threshold GPA, the student returns to academic probation and has no more than two semesters to achieve the program’s threshold cumulative GPA. Failure to achieve the program’s threshold cumulative GPA after being on academic probation a second time will result in the student no longer being permitted to enroll in courses.

Graduation – General Requirements

• Students who wish to graduate must submit a completed application for graduation online; the deadline to apply for graduation with the Office of Graduate Studies is December 1 prior to the spring in which the student intends to graduate.
• A graduation fee ($100) must be paid before submitting the graduation application.
• In addition to the total credit hours required, the student for graduation must meet the specific degree program requirements.
• For the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, at least 24 credit hours must be completed through God’s Bible School and College.
• For the Master of Arts in Ministry, at least 18 credit hours must be completed through God’s Bible School and College.
• The student must submit a pre-graduation assessment paper (similar to the pre-admittance assessment that they completed upon application) that will serve as an evaluation of the student’s growth during his/her time in the program. This assessment paper must be submitted in the application to graduation form.

Program-Specific Graduation Requirements

MA in Ministry:

• A minimum GPA of 2.5. Please note that all undergraduate courses taken by graduate students, whether as prerequisites or for other reasons, are applied to their undergraduate transcript. Such courses are not be listed on their graduate transcript and have no bearing on their graduate GPA.
• The student must submit a capstone paper which demonstrates the skills developed in the program, reflects on the program’s usefulness, recommends possible program improvements, and projects how the knowledge and skills learned in the program will be employed in future life and ministry. Students should consult with their advisor to select a topic and receive specific guidelines. The paper must be submitted one month prior to the expected graduation date.

MA in Biblical Studies:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0. Please note that all undergraduate courses taken by graduate students, whether as prerequisites or for other reasons, are applied to their undergraduate transcript. Such courses are not on their graduate transcript and have no bearing on their graduate GPA.
• Students must complete biblical language proficiency testing before graduation. The test(s) taken will be determined by the biblical language electives that the student took during his/her graduate studies. Information regarding these tests is available from the student’s academic advisor, and the testing must be done and the report submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by April 1.
• Students must also submit an exegetical paper from one of the classes taken in the GBSC Graduate Program that reflects his/her application of skills learned during his/her time in the program. The student may update the paper before submitting it to the Office of Graduate Studies to be evaluated and will receive feedback on it. Further details can be obtained from the student’s academic advisor, and the assignment must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by April 1.

3+2 Program Graduation Requirements

• Students in the 3 + 2 program are responsible to meet all undergraduate graduation requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog as well as the graduation requirements for the MA degree they are pursuing.

Suggested Undergraduate Bible and Theology Course List

BIST 241 Pentateuch	3
BIST 222 Wisdom Literature	3
BIST 218 Life of Christ	3
BIST 340 Romans and Galatians	3
BIST 428 Prison Epistles	3
THEO 140 Principles of the Christian Life I	2
THEO 201 Christian Beliefs	3
THEO 202 Doctrine of Holiness	3
THEO 280 Hermeneutics	3
THEO 301 Holiness: Critical Issues	2
THEO 321 Systematic Theology I	3
THEO 322 Systematic Theology II	3

Program Leadership

See the up-to-date listing of organizational trustees and administrators.