FAQ

About continuing distance education at Briercrest College and Seminary

What exactly is distance education?
Distance education allows students to pursue an education without sitting in a traditional classroom. Students use a wide variety of media (print, textbooks, video, audio, Internet), depending on the course, and they have instructors who guide them through the learning process.

How is distance education different from on-campus studies?
In addition to using different learning tools, the main difference with distance education at Briercrest is its flexibility. Students study at their own pace and don't have to leave home to pursue a college or seminary education.

When is the distance education office open?
The distance education staff is available by phone between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) at 1-800-645-2275. After hours students can leave messages by voice mail or email.

Are your courses accredited?
All of our courses are fully accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, which was formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, at the college level and the Association of Theological Schools at the graduate level. Accreditation gives the student assurance of quality education and broad opportunities for transfer credit.

Are your courses transferable to other colleges and universities?
We have excellent transfer arrangements with other institutions. Our courses transfer to all ABHE accredited colleges and ATS accredited seminaries. We also have agreements with the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, and SIAST. Our  credit transfer page has the details.

Getting started

How do I pick a course? Will someone help me?
Please feel free to call us if you need assistance in course selection and we'll help you choose a course that's right for you.

How do I register for a course?
Simply contact the distance education office in person, by phone at 1-800-667-5199, by faxing in the registration form, by registering online, or by email.

When can I register?
Any time. Registration is ongoing.

Do I need to fill out the program application form if I want to take only a couple of courses?
No. The program application form is only for students who want to enrol in a complete program of study.

Do I need to register for a program right away?
No. You are free to take courses on an individual basis. However, we do encourage students who have taken more than two courses to consider a program of study.

How do I contact my instructor?
Our instructors are here to help with your coursework. You can contact them Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 
Phone toll free: 1-800-645-2275 
Email: distance.education@briercrest.ca

How long do I have to complete a course?
You have eight months to complete a course. Your first assignments will be due within six weeks of registering.

What about textbooks?
Most courses do have textbooks. Textbook costs are in addition to tuition fees. Textbooks can be mailed with your course material or you can buy them on your own.

Do I have access to the library?
All of our students have access to our library both by phone and online. Further information is available with your course materials.

Completing your course

Do I have contact with other distance education students from Briercrest?
When you begin studying with us, you join hundreds of other students who are doing the same thing: studying to be better equipped to serve. You gain the benefit of connecting with other students who have the same heart for learning and ministry. Our discussion forum, The Fridge, provides current students with the means to interact with fellow distance education students. Your fridge at home is probably covered with a collage of information. In the same way, The Fridge is a place for distance education students to post messages, ask questions, pray for one another, and find out the latest in distance education.

How do I submit course assignments?
The three ways in which you can submit your assignments are by mail, fax or email (Word documents). If you choose to email them, make sure you keep copies in case we cannot read the files you send to us. The majority of  assignments are graded electronically and returned to you.

Feedback is important to the learning process. Take advantage of direct discussion about your assignments and the course materials by emailing your instructor.

How do I get my exams and where do I write them?
To write your exams, you must contact the distance education office. We will need the name of someone who will serve as a proctor. This must be someone who answers to a code of conduct (pastor, teacher, librarian, accountant,etc.), and he/she cannot be a relative. We will send the exam to your proctor who will also send the exam back to us. Please give us two weeks notice before you wish to write. Students who are on campus write exams in our library. Off campus students write exams under the supervision of a qualified proctor.

Where can I find more resources for my course?
Our library has special procedures and policies designed to make doing research as easy as possible for our off-campus students. Access our catalogue here. If you find something you would like, our library staff would be glad to send it out to you.

When is my course work due?
Your first assignment(s) are due six weeks after your course registration date. The rest of the course work must be completed within eight months of your registration date. If this time line presents problems for you, please contact the distance education office.

Finances

How much does a course cost?
Visit our Finances page for details.

Is there a payment plan?
Yes. Students can pay for courses over a four month period. Visit our Finances page for further details.

Is there a grievance policy in place?
Briercrest College and Semianry has a grievance policy in place to allow students to process complaints (including sexual harassment) against the institution, its policies and procedures, or its associates. Copies of the policy are available through the distance education office. If after following the due process laid out in the grievance policy the student feels that the final decision is unsatisfactory, he or she may appeal this decision to the Association for Biblical Higher Education in writing to P.O. Box 780339, Orlando, FL, USA 32878-0339 or by phone at (407) 207-0808 or the Association of Theological Schools, 10 Summit Park Dr. Pittsburgh, PA, USA 15275-1103.