TBS Policy Manual
Policy Manual 2023
The most recent version of this document is available for viewing and printing on the TBS website under “About – TBS Documents.”
The Bible Seminary
2655 S Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
281-646-1109 (Phone)
TheBibleSeminary.edu
Introduction
Accreditation
Covenantal Documents
Mission
Core Values
Institutional Objectives
Doctrinal Statement
Ethos Statement
Academic Freedom Statement
Nondiscriminatory Policy
Philosophy of Education
Facts
History
The Bible Seminary
Admissions Policy
Requirements and Procedures
The Bible Seminary (TBS) offers training for laity and vocational ministry professionals through the degree and non-degree programs below.
Bible Certificate (BC) and Vocational Ministry Certificate (VMC) – Enrolling in TBS graduate courses at a non-degree (audit or certificate) level requires completion and return of a "Non-degree Student Application.” Contact our office or click “Admission – Apply” on TheBibleSeminary.edu.
Dual Degree Completion, Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) – Prospective graduate students seeking to prepare for vocational, professional ministry may initiate a degree application process as follows:
• Submit an inquiry online at TheBibleSeminary.edu under “Admissions – Apply”
• Send an e-mail message to info@thebibleseminary.edu
• Call 281-646-1109. Normal office hours are typically 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will promptly return your call.
• Visit the TBS at 2655 South Mason Road, Katy, TX, 77450. Please call in advance to confirm an appointment.
The application process will proceed through several steps. Please contact admissions by e-mail or phone for assistance. Each applicant must provide the following information:
• A completed Degree Application. Forms are available online at TheBibleSeminary.edu under “Admissions” or can be provided by e-mail or mail.
• A $50 non-refundable application fee. Several payment options are available.
• Official transcript(s) submitted directly from the college or university to The Bible Seminary address.
• Four references (including at least one pastoral reference) submitted by e-mail or mail to the Provost.
• Authorization for a criminal background check. Other than as specifically requested by questions in the Degree Application, an external criminal background check is not completed or utilized as a part of the admissions process. However, depending on the ministry options selected by an admitted student, a background check may be required prior to beginning to serve in certain ministries.
• A personal interview, to be scheduled during the admissions review process in person or by phone.
Admission to a degree program will be at the discretion of the TBS Admissions Committee, based on their review of the information provided. General criteria considered as minimum requirements include the following:
• Evidence of a clear calling of the applicant to a life of personal and professional ministry as a pastor, missionary, church planter, or other servant of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• Applicant agreement to and acceptance of The Bible Seminary's Covenantal Documents.
• Accredited baccalaureate degree or courses applicable to a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 2.5 unweighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• For students whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL iBT score of at least 79, TOEFL CBT of 213, or TOEFL PBT of 550, or 7.0 IELTS.
The TBS Admissions Team is afforded discretion to grant exceptions to degree, grade point, and English language criteria, within the bounds of applicable accreditation standards.
Admissions Procedure – Initial contact with TBS inquiring into a degree program earns prospective students a status of “Inquiry.” Following the submission of a completed application and payment of the application fee, the TBS Admissions Team will open an application file for the student and move them from “Inquiry” to “Applicant” status. Generally, “Applicant” files are reviewed and students notified on a monthly cycle, as reviews are conducted and students notified within a maximum of 30 days. Regular notifications, usually by e-mail or phone, inform students about their application status, as well any notes, requests, or items pending receipt or review. Upon receipt and review of all application materials requested, the TBS Admissions Team makes a determination of “Accepted Applicant” or “Denied Applicant” and follows up with both a letter sent by postal mail and e-mail. Acceptances additionally include information about enrollment procedures, financial aid awards, and upcoming dates, deadlines, and events. Accepted applicants who subsequently enroll in at least one seminary course within one year of the date of acceptance will be moved to “Student (Graduate)” status. Accepted applicants who subsequently fail to enroll in at least one class within one year of the date of acceptance may be marked “Applicant Withdrawn.” Reconsiderations may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Competency Assessment – The Admissions Committee, comprised of all full-time faculty members and administrators, seeks to ensure that students have the thinking, writing, and research skills to succeed at TBS. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution normally demonstrates acceptable mastery in these critical areas. The Admissions Committee further seeks evidence that a prospective student possesses a baseline of biblical knowledge. Undergraduate or graduate degrees in Bible or a related field of study normally satisfy this criterion. Students with undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields may be asked to complete an admissions exam if they are unable to establish through a portfolio that they satisfy this requirement.
Residency Requirements
• TBS does not offer residential housing as part of the on-campus experience.
• TBS does not require students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to live on or within a certain distance of the main campus, any branch campus or teaching site, or any remote instructional location.
• Students may participate in courses exclusively live on-campus, live online (synchronously), recorded online (asynchronously), or a hybrid mixture.
• TBS is NOT currently a Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school and cannot accept applicants in the U.S. under an F-1 Student Visa.
Special Admissions Requirements – Students whose GPA is below 2.5 may be admitted to TBS on academic probation for a specified period of time, until they demonstrate the ability to successfully complete graduate-level work. Students who are incarcerated or who have been incarcerated may have additional requirements.
Credit for Prior Learning – TBS does not grant credit for prior learning at the graduate level; however, students in the TBS dual-degree program may be awarded credit by exam, on the basis of certificates, or by assessment of prior learning, in compliance with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
Admissions Policies Exceptions – Students seeking exceptions to TBS admissions policies must petition the Provost in writing. The Provost may grant exceptions to the stated admissions policies, assuming that the exceptions do not violate accreditation standards. The Provost or a designee monitors all students on probation and provides a written update to these students at the end of each academic year.
Probation
• Undergraduate students in graduate programs – Dual-degree students will remain on academic probation until they complete all general education deficiencies or complete at least 12 TBS hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
• New Students – Students admitted on academic probation may be removed from probation following successful completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours and earning a minimum of a cumulative 2.50 grade point average.
• Existing Students – Current students may be placed on academic probation if the cumulative grade point average slips below 2.00 – the standard threshold for consideration for graduation with a graduate degree. Probationary status may require a student to take a reduced workload. Students on Probationary status for more than two consecutive terms will be dropped from seminary enrollment.
• Readmission - Any student dropped from enrollment due to academic probation for two consecutive terms or a student conduct violation may, after a period of one calendar year from the date of removal, seek readmission. In order to reapply for admission and reconsideration, the student must explain how he or she has addressed the deficiencies in their education or conduct that will enable them to succeed the second time. All students readmitted will be placed on academic probation. No student will be allowed to reapply if he or she has been dropped from seminary enrollment twice.
Withdrawal Procedure – Applicants and Accepted Applicants may withdraw their application at any time by contacting the Provost. There are no refunds of Application Fees. Enrolled Students may request withdrawal from the institution by contacting the Provost. All outstanding tuition and fees owed are still due in accordance with the policy below. Unpaid tuition and fees will result in a lock on student records and transcripts. Only upon payment in-full of all tuition and fees due will a former student’s records and transcripts be released to the student and/or any other institutions. The following conditions define the amount of refunds of tuition and fees paid to the seminary by a student or on behalf of a student may be issued for students who withdraw from TBS classes. Refunds will generally be returned to the original Payee(s) on record.
Normal course schedule
• Prior to the first day of the semester – Full tuition and fees refund, less a 5% administrative fee.
• On or up to 10 calendar days after the first day of the semester – Refund of 90% of the tuition paid; no refund of fees.
• After 10 calendar days after the first day of the semester, but not later than 30 calendar days after the first day of the semester – Refund of 50% of the tuition paid; no refund of fees.
• After 30 calendar days after the first day of class – No refund.
In cases where PART-TIME students withdraw who are taking a special or intensive class not concordant with the standard semester schedule, the policy below applies.
Special course schedules
• Prior to the first day of the class – Full tuition and fees refund, less a 5% administrative fee.
• On or up to one calendar day after the first day of class – Refund of 75% of tuition paid; no refund of fees.
• On or up to two calendar days after the first day of class – Refund of 50% of tuition paid; no refund of fees
• On or up to three calendar days after the first day of class – Refund of 25% of tuition paid; no refund of fees.
• On or after four calendar days after the first day of class – No refund.
Hardship and other circumstances may necessitate special consideration of refunds, at the discretion of the Provost. In no case will scholarship funds credited to a student’s account be repaid to a student upon withdrawal. These unused scholarship funds will be redirected back into the seminary scholarship fund for use by other students.
History
First Issue: 10-11-2013.
Revised: 07-14-2015; renamed and revised to apply to all degree programs.
Revised: 09-17-2018; added sections on residency, special admissions, credit for prior learning, competency assessment, probation, and exceptions.
Revised: 08-06-2019; added Veterans Affairs Policy to comply with the Texas Veterans Commission.
Revised: 09-22-2019; changed the GPA requirement to 2.5.
Revised: 02-15-2020; added all updates approved by the Faculty Association on 2/1/2019.
Revised: 04-16-2021; added Distance Education and Non-degree application requirement for Bible Certificate students.
Revised: 01-26-2022; removed Veterans benefits section due to non-participation in the federal program.
The Bible Seminary
Building Use Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to assure that the use of the buildings, grounds, and equipment (facilities) of The Bible Seminary (TBS) shall be confined to religious, educational, social, service, and other character-building functions. Educational activities will always have priority over outside requests. No meeting may be scheduled by any group that will conflict with any regular or special events involving the faculty, students, and administration of TBS.
Access and Use
TBS offices and library are typically open during normal business hours, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Staff, faculty, and adjunct faculty are provided with necessary keys for access to classroom spaces for class periods that may be scheduled outside normal business hours. Equipment essential for class presentations and activities is included in each classroom. Faculty and adjunct faculty may contact TBS staff, should any special equipment be necessary but not available in the assigned classroom. Special equipment is typically stored in the kitchen/storage area of Classroom 270 or in faculty/staff offices.
For those with disabilities, reasonable accommodation for safe access will be provided. A sidewalk ramp is located at the southwest corner of the building, to assist with wheelchair or walker access to the classroom/offices/library doors. Parking spaces reserved and marked for handicapped parking only are provided along the south row of parking spaces, in front of the classrooms. Access to the facilities from those parking spaces is east, along the row of parking spaces, to the sidewalk ramp. A ramp is affixed to the Suite 263 door threshold, allowing continual access to that entry door. A similar portable ramp is stored in Classroom 270 for temporary use at any entry door. Restrooms at the facility each have a stall that is of adequate width for safe and convenient access, and the restrooms are on the same level as the classrooms/offices/library and hallways. Emergency egress is via the main entry doors or through the hallways to the back door exit across from the restrooms. The back door exit is level to the sidewalk and grassy area east of the building. For equipment use by those with disabilities, contact the TBS office for details and requests.
Responsibilities
The President and VP – Finance & Administration (VP) are jointly responsible for administering this policy. Any matters not explicitly or implicitly covered by this policy will be decided by the President and/or VP to the best of their judgment.
Scheduling
All classes and other events associated with TBS programs are routinely scheduled. Any additional requests for use of the facilities are to be approved and scheduled by the President and/or VP.
Specific Prohibitions
a) Alcoholic beverages (with the exception of wine that may be used solely for administering the sacrament of Holy Communion), illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia are strictly prohibited from being present or being used on or in any TBS facility. Appropriate action will be taken to safely remove anyone in possession of such materials or who may appear to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Any suspicious materials will be removed. Appropriate authorities may be contacted to assure enforcement of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
b) The use of tobacco products in any form is not permitted inside any TBS facilities.
c) With the exception of seeing-eye dogs or other medically-required service animals, no pets are permitted in TBS facilities.
d) Sponsoring groups who violate this Building Use Policy may be subject to the loss of facility privileges and/or immediate termination of the subject activities or events.
e) Concerning firearms, TBS complies with Texas Government Code, Chapter 411, Subchapter H, Section 411.2031, in that those individuals licensed by the State of Texas to carry a handgun are not prohibited from carrying a handgun on the TBS campus. However, according to the Texas Penal Code, Chapter 46, Section 46.035 (a-1), while on the TBS campus, with the exception of law enforcement and peace officers, license holders may only carry handguns in a concealed manner (not partially or wholly visible). All other firearms are prohibited inside TBS facilities.
History
First Issue: 08-09-2012
Revised: 09-18-2014; updated position titles and responsibilities.
Revised: 07-12-2016; incorporated August 1, 2016, changes in Texas Government Code concerning License to Carry a Handgun; expands pets to include other service animals.
Revised: 08-24-2016; amended alcohol/drug prohibition to allow the exception for wine used for Holy Communion.
Revised: 09-29-2018; added Access section.
The Bible Seminary
Conflict of Interest Policy
It is in the best interest of The Bible Seminary (TBS) to be aware of and properly manage all conflicts of interest and appearances of a conflict of interest. This conflict of interest policy is designed to help directors, officers, employees and volunteers of TBS identify situations that present potential conflicts of interest and to provide TBS with a procedure to appropriately manage conflicts in accordance with legal requirements and the goals of accountability and transparency in operations of TBS.
1) Conflict of Interest Defined
In this policy, a person with a conflict of interest is referred to as an “interested person.” For purposes of this policy, the following circumstances shall be deemed to create a Conflict of Interest:
a. A director, officer, employee or volunteer, including a board member (or family member of any of the foregoing) is a party to a contract, or involved in a transaction with TBS for goods or services.
b. A director, officer, employee or volunteer, (or a family member of any of the foregoing) has a material financial interest in a transaction between TBS and an entity in which the director, officer, employee or volunteer, or a family member of the foregoing, is a director, officer, agent, partner, associate, employee, trustee, personal representative, receiver, guardian, custodian, or other legal representative.
c. A director, officer, employee or volunteer, (or a family member of the foregoing) is engaged in some capacity or has a material financial interest in a business or enterprise that competes with TBS.
Other situations may create the appearance of a conflict, or present a duality of interests in connection with a person who has influence over the activities or finances of TBS. All such circumstances should be disclosed to the board or staff, as appropriate, and a decision made as to what course of action the organization or individuals should take so that the best interests of the nonprofit are not compromised by the personal interests of stakeholders in TBS.
Gifts, Gratuities and Entertainment. Accepting gifts, entertainment or other favors from entities or individuals can also result in a conflict or duality of interest when the party providing the gift/entertainment/favor does so under circumstances where it might be inferred that such action was intended to influence, or possibly would influence, the interested person in the performance of his or her duties. This does not preclude the acceptance of gifts of nominal or insignificant value, or entertainment of nominal or insignificant value, which are not related to any particular transaction or activity of TBS.
2) Definitions
a. A "Conflict of Interest" is any circumstance described in Part 1 of this Policy.
b. An "Interested Person" is any person serving as an officer, employee or member of the Board of Directors of TBS or a major donor to TBS or anyone else who is in a position of control over TBS who has a personal interest that is in conflict with the interests of TBS.
c. A "Family Member" is a spouse, parent, parent of spouse, child or spouse of a child, brother, sister, or spouse of a brother or sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, of an interested person.
d. A "Material Financial Interest" in an entity is a financial interest of any kind, which, in view of all the circumstances, is substantial enough that it would, or reasonably could, affect an Interested Person’s or Family Member's judgment with respect to transactions to which the entity is a party.
e. A "Contract or Transaction" is any agreement or relationship involving the sale or purchase of goods or services, the providing or receipt of a loan or grant, the establishment of any other type of financial relationship, or the exercise of control over another organization. The making of a gift to TBS is not a Contract or Transaction. 3) Procedures
a. Prior to board or committee action on a Contract or Transaction involving a Conflict of Interest, a director or committee member having a Conflict of Interest and who is in attendance at the meeting shall disclose all facts material to the Conflict of Interest. Such disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting. If board members are aware that staff or other volunteers have a conflict of interest, relevant facts should be disclosed by the board member or by the interested person him/herself if invited to the board meeting as a guest for purposes of disclosure.
b. A director or committee member who plans not to attend a meeting at which he or she has reason to believe that the board or committee will act on a matter in which the person has a Conflict of Interest shall disclose to the chair of the meeting all facts material to the Conflict of Interest. The chair shall report the disclosure at the meeting and the disclosure shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting.
c. A person who has a Conflict of Interest shall not participate in or be permitted to hear the board's or committee's discussion of the matter except to disclose material facts and to respond to questions. Such person shall not attempt to exert his or her personal influence with respect to the matter, either at or outside the meeting.
d. A person who has a Conflict of Interest with respect to a Contract or Transaction that will be voted on at a meeting shall not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum for purposes of the vote.
e. The person having a conflict of interest may not vote on the Contract or Transaction and shall not be present in the meeting room when the vote is taken, unless the vote is by secret ballot. Such person's ineligibility to vote shall be reflected in the minutes of the meeting. For purposes of this paragraph, a member of the Board of Directors of TBS has a Conflict of Interest when he or she stands for election as an officer or for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors.
f. Interested Persons who are not members of the Board of Directors of TBS, or who have a Conflict of Interest with respect to a Contract or Transaction that is not the subject of Board or committee action, shall disclose to their supervisor, or the Chair, or the Chair's designee, any Conflict of Interest that such Interested Person has with respect to a Contract or Transaction. Such disclosure shall be made as soon as the Conflict of Interest is known to the Interested Person. The Interested Person shall refrain from any action that may affect TBS’s participation in such Contract or Transaction.
In the event it is not entirely clear that a Conflict of Interest exists, the individual with the potential conflict shall disclose the circumstances to his or her supervisor or the Chair or the Chair's designee, who shall determine whether full board discussion is warranted or whether there exists a Conflict of Interest that is subject to this policy.
4) Confidentiality
Each director, officer, employee and volunteer shall exercise care not to disclose confidential information acquired in connection with disclosures of conflicts of interest or potential conflicts, which might be adverse to the interests of TBS. Furthermore, directors, officers, employees and volunteers shall not disclose or use information relating to the business of TBS for their personal profit or advantage or the personal profit or advantage of their Family Member(s).
5) Review of policy
a. Each director, officer, employee and volunteer shall be provided with and asked to review a copy of this Policy and to acknowledge in writing that he or she has done so.
b. Annually each director, officer, employee and volunteer shall complete a disclosure form identifying any relationships, positions or circumstances in which s/he is involved that he or she believes could contribute to a Conflict of Interest. Such relationships, positions or circumstances might include service as a director of or consultant to another nonprofit organization, or ownership of a business that might provide goods or services to TBS. Any such information regarding the business interests of a director, officer, employee or volunteer, or a Family Member thereof, shall be treated as confidential and shall generally be made available only to the Chair, the President of the Corporation, and any committee appointed to address Conflicts of Interest, except to the extent additional disclosure is necessary in connection with the implementation of this Policy.
c. This policy shall be reviewed annually by each member of the Board of Directors. Any changes to the policy shall be communicated to all staff and volunteers
History
First Issue: May 9, 2011
Conflict of Interest Disclosure and Acknowledgement Form
Date: _______________
Name: ________________________________________________________
Position: _______________________________________________________
Please describe below any relationships, transactions, positions you hold (volunteer or otherwise), or circumstances that you believe could contribute to a conflict of interest between TBS and your personal interests, financial or otherwise:
_____ I have no conflict of interest to report
_____ I have the following conflict of interest to report (please specify other nonprofit and for-profit boards you (and your spouse) sit on, any for-profit businesses that may conduct business with TBS for which you or an immediate family member are an employee, officer or director, or a majority shareholder, and the name of your employer and any businesses you or a family member own):
1.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________
4.___________________________________________________________________________
I hereby certify that the information set forth above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I have reviewed, and agree to abide by, the Covenantal Documents and this Policy of Conflict of Interest of TBS.
Signature: _____________________________________________________
Date: ________________________
The Bible Seminary
Employee Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy
The Bible Seminary (TBS) accepts general responsibility to help cultivate and nurture the professional and spiritual growth of employees as reasonable, within budgetary allowances, and in accordance with due process rules and regulations.
Full-Time Employees
1. Full-time employees of The Bible Seminary may be reimbursed for job-related undergraduate and graduate-level education and continuing education training opportunities. Reimbursement approval is to be obtained from the President or direct report supervisor in advance and is subject to budgetary restrictions. Employer-directed course work or legally required training will be paid directly by the employer.
2. Generally, the decision to authorize educational assistance is based on the determination that successful completion of the course work will be beneficial to both The Bible Seminary and the employee in terms of increased knowledge, abilities and skills. Coursework may be taken at any accredited public or private higher educational institution.
3. At the discretion of The Bible Seminary, approved tuition/fees, book/equipment/supplies expenses, and travel expenses (meals, lodging, or transportation) may be paid directly to the provider. Invoices or statements verifying expense amounts are to be submitted to the President or direct report supervisor, with identification of those expenses to be paid directly to the provider or to be reimbursed to the employee. Evidence of successful completion of subject course work is a condition for subsequent educational support or reimbursement.
4. In the unlikely event that an employee is no longer employed by The Bible Seminary upon completion of the approved course work, all educational support by The Bible Seminary on behalf of the employee is revoked and due for refund by the employee to The Bible Seminary.
5. Reimbursements are provided only for direct expenses associated with attendance of actual course work, travel, and related expenses, and are subject to the applicable IRS rules and regulations. Currently, according to Publication 970, Section 132(d) entitled “Education Working Condition Fringe Benefit,” reimbursements provided under the above conditions are non-taxable.
Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees may also be reimbursed for professional development opportunities and resources within budgeted allocations with the following conditions:
1. Expenditures allowed for consideration include job-related books/equipment/supplies; conferences, retreats, and seminars; professional subscriptions; travel expenses (meals, lodging, or transportation); and non-degree continuing education tuition and fees.
2. Expenditures must be pre-approved by the President or direct report supervisor and within the budgeted allowance for the designated fiscal year.
3. Expenses may be paid directly by the institution or reimbursed in accordance with the TBS Reimbursement Policy and as agreed upon in writing (email correspondence is sufficient).
History
First Issue: Version 1.0, January 26, 2014.
Second Issue: Version 1.0, October 12, 2018.
The Bible Seminary
Credit Transfer Policy
The Bible Seminary (TBS) is open to considering the eligibility of credits earned at other educational institutions toward course and program requirements at TBS. Likewise, credits can be transferred from one TBS degree to another TBS degree. Finally, TBS credits may be transferred from TBS to other educational institutions.
Transfer of Credit to TBS
1. TBS accepts credits earned at accredited institutions of higher education as long as they are a comparable match in content to the parallel TBS course.
2. Credits from unaccredited institutions may be considered on a case by case basis.
3. Graduate students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for their graduate degree from TBS, although at least 49% is preferred.
4. Assessment of credit eligibility may be determined in accordance with standards used by the National Course Atlas (www.courseatlas.com) or other acceptable comparison resources.
5. Credit(s) earned at an undergraduate level are not eligible for transfer toward a graduate program, but they can apply for undergraduate requirements for dual-degree students.
6. The grade received in the course must be equivalent to a C (2.0) or higher at TBS. Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit courses will not be transferred. Rare exceptions may be granted by the Provost.
7. Credit transfers do not include the course grade, but only the credit hours. Thus, transferred credits do not count toward a student’s overall GPA at TBS.
8. For institutions that utilize another form of academic credit (quarter hours/units/trimesters) besides 15-week semesters, transferred credit(s) will be converted into semester hours.
9. Students desiring to transfer credits must request that their school(s) submit an official transcript to TBS for evaluation. In some cases, a school catalog and/or course syllabus will also need to be submitted to assist in determining credit transfer eligibility.
10. Notification of assessment to students will include the course(s) eligibility (Yes or No), any equivalency to TBS credit(s) and a determination of credits assigned toward a student’s program of study at TBS, as well as any relevant notes.
11. Verification of eligible credits and associated documentation must be kept on record in the student’s official file at TBS.
12. Assessment of credit transfer eligibility and final determinations are made by the office of the Provost. Reconsideration of denied credit may be requested on appeal to the Provost, but only after submitting full documentation and a formal case for appeal for each credit requested. Appeals will be decided, and the student notified within 30 days of submission.
13. Current TBS students considering taking a course from another institution to apply toward required program credit at TBS should submit a request for consideration of potential eligibility to the Provost prior to taking a course. Completion of a course anticipated to be eligible, but not confirmed in writing prior to taking, may or may not be approved. Upon completion of a pre-approved course, the student must request that the school(s) submit an official transcript to TBS for final verification, and final approval must be documented, filed, and the student notified as outlined above.
Transfer of Credit from one TBS Degree to Another TBS Degree
• Students with a completed TBS Master of Arts (MA) degree could apply 100% of all applicable hours to a TBS Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.
• Students with a completed TBS MDiv degree may apply 100% of all applicable hours to a single additional TBS MA degree. For example, a student with an earned TBS MDiv degree who desires to complete the TBS Master of Arts in Biblical Languages degree would only need to complete the language and culture hours not taken as part of the MDiv degree.
• Exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis.
Conversion of TBS Audit coursework to TBS Degree Credit
• TBS graduate course audit students have the option of requesting that their work be graded and may take exams and finals in case they do decide to eventually pursue a degree. In such cases, students may petition the Provost to convert audit course work for graduate credit.
Transfer of TBS Credit to Another Educational Institution
Educational institutions are autonomous in determining policies for transfer of credit. Since transfer of credit is controlled by receiving institutions, TBS does not guarantee transfer of credits either to or from another educational institution. Students should thoroughly examine the policies of other schools to which they may wish to apply in the future regarding the potential acceptance, or non-acceptance, of credit(s) or a degree from TBS.
• TBS has no means to regulate or guarantee how other educational institutions handle the transfer of TBS credits.
• Students are responsible for checking with any potential transfer universities to determine transferability of TBS credits.
• No formal articulation agreements are in place between TBS and other educational institutions.
• TBS students have historically transferred credit without prejudice to graduate programs, including doctoral programs, at other institutions of higher learning.
History
First Issue: 5-15-2014
Revised: 10-2-2018
Revised: 2-4-2020
Revised: 7-27-2020
The Bible Seminary
Digital Hardware Policy
The Bible Seminary may loan digital hardware (i.e. laptop computer or other similar product) to individual degree program students based on demonstrated need and at the discretion of the Provost. The hardware and installed software remains the property of The Bible Seminary, except as noted below.
Eligibility
Eligible students must:
• Be accepted into a degree program at The Bible Seminary