FAQ's and Legal Information...

How much does each program cost?
We do not charge tuition or fees. The only expenses that a student has to pay are books, materials, exam booklets, and internship/apprenticeship costs. Normally, a student would be able to complete a bachelor of ministry degree for approximately $6000 (total--not each year!). A master of ministry degree student might end up investing around the same amount. It all depends on how much apprenticeship is required and the costs of books and materials. We can give you a general idea when you contact us personally.

Do you have a campus?
We have offices at Orlando Baptist Church and offer courses in various locations in Florida, Kenya, and Nicaragua. You can visit us in Florida or as we’re ministering in Central America or Africa, but we do not have a traditional campus.

What is your educational philosophy? Are you accredited?
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and the future Christian leaders must know the Scriptures, be able to interact with their culture, and be able to share intelligent and viable biblical solutions with those around them. We use many different textbooks, but our main emphasis is upon learning the Bible! No, we are not accredited and we have no desire to be!

What is your mission statement?
Our mission statement is “Training future Christian leaders who will love God, love their neighbors, be faithful to Christ, and minister holistically to the world.”

What is your doctrinal position?
We are conservatively, biblically evangelical. See our doctrinal statement.

Do you believe in academic excellence?
Yes, and we tailor each program to help you grown spiritually, emotionally, and professionally as a Christian leader. We have high expectations of our students, but we also understand they will need loving help and encourage to attain God’s goals for them.

Will I have an academic advisor?
Yes, English speaking students will have an English speaking advisor and Spanish speaking students will have a Spanish speaking advisor. The advisors act as coaches and encouragers as well.

Do WHSOM (World Hope School of Ministry) and The Center for Discipleship Studies do research?
Absolutely, that’s why we reserve the right to ask to use your writings and homework as articles on our website. We also invite you to research in areas that we view as important to the Kingdom of God.

What about grades & probation?
We use the normal A (4), B (3), C (2) scale. Any student receiving below a C will need to repeat the course. GPA will be determined after half of your course is complete. Any student have less than a 3.0 will be placed on probation. A student must have a 2.8 in order to graduate.

Where can I get my application for graduation?
Applications for graduation are available by emailing your lead professor.

What about internships & mentoring?
Internships and mentoring are available. Please email us for more information.

What about Portfolio Credits and Credit Transfers?
Credit toward a bachelor’s can be transferred in or completed by portfolio assessment. Email Paul for more information.

What is a semester credit hour?
One semester hour is usually composed of fifteen class hours over a semester long period. A three credit course would consist of forty-five hours of instruction plus homework.

What about Student Conduct & Withdrawal?
Students who refuse to complete their work with a good attitude or who have a poor testimony will be dismissed.

What are the legal requirements for biblical, higher education in Florida?
We have included this section of the Florida Statutes so that you’ll have all the information necessary to make an informed decision!

1005.04 Fair consumer practices.

1. Every institution that is under the jurisdiction of the commission or is exempt from the jurisdiction or purview of the commission pursuant to s. 1005.06(1)(c) or (f) and that either directly or indirectly solicits for enrollment any student shall:
   
   (a) Disclose to each prospective student a statement of the purpose of such institution, its educational programs and curricula, a description of its physical facilities, its status regarding licensure, its fee schedule and policies regarding retaining student fees if a student withdraws, and a statement regarding the transferability of credits to and from other institutions. The institution shall make the required disclosures in writing at least 1 week prior to enrollment or collection of any tuition from the prospective student. The required disclosures may be made in the institution's current catalog;
   OUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: WE OFFER ONLY RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT AID IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS AS MINISTERS, MISSIONARIES, PROFESSIONALS, OR LAYPERSONS IN THE CATEGORIES OF MINISTRY, COUNSELING, THEOLOGY, EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION, MUSIC, FINE ARTS, MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, AND/OR SOCIAL WORK.
   OUR PROGRAMS: MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE INTERNET AND INDEPENDENT STUDY-BASED USING TEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC MAIL, INTERACTIONS WITH A PROFESSOR, WRITING, EXAMS, AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION.
   DESCRIPTION OF PHYSICAL FACILITIES: WE DO NOT HAVE ANY PHYSICAL FACILITIES.
   STATUS REGARDING LICENSURE: WE ARE EXEMPT FROM LICENSURE AS A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE NOT ACCREDITED AND HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE AT THE PRESENT TIME.
   FEES & WITHDRAWALS: THERE ARE NO FEES OR TUITION. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE TEXTBOOKS AND TO PURCHASE SOME CLASS MATERIALS AND EXAM BOOKLETS IN LIEU OF PAYING TUITION OR FEES. A STUDENT CAN WITHDRAW AT ANY TIME OR MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN SINCE STUDENTS ARE NOT PAYING TUITION OR FEES.
   TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS: STUDENTS SHOULD ASSUME THAT THEIR CREDITS WILL NOT TRANSFER. SINCE WE ARE NOT ACCREDITED, OUR COURSES ARE RELIGIOUS IN NATURE, AND THE TRANSFERENCE OF CREDITS IS ALWAYS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE RECEIVING INSTITUTION, WE CAN MAKE NO PROMISES OR GUARANTEES THAT OUR CREDITS WILL TRANSFER. WE WILL REVIEW ANY STUDENT’S REQUEST TO HAVE CREDITS TRANSFERRED INTO THEIR PROGRAM WITH US. AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE STUDENT REQUESTING AN EXAMINATION BY THE DIRECTOR ALONG WITH ANY RELEVANT TRANSCRIPTS AND PORTFOLIO MUST BE INCLUDED WITH THE LETTER.
   
   (b) Use a reliable method to assess, before accepting a student into a program, the student's ability to complete successfully the course of study for which he or she has applied;
   ALL STUDENTS MUST BE WILLING TO PROVIDE PROOF OF THEIR PREVIOUS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES AND BE WILLING TO TAKE AN ENTRANCE EXAM. CANDIDACY INTO ANY PROGRAM IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR.
   
   (c) Inform each student accurately about financial assistance and obligations for repayment of loans; describe any employment placement services provided and the limitations thereof; and refrain from promising or implying guaranteed placement, market availability, or salary amounts;
   WE DO NOT OFFER LOANS OR ANY FINANCIAL AID. WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL STUDENTS TRY TO BE GOOD STEWARDS AND AVOID ALL FORMS OF DEBT IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. WE OFFER NO EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT SERVICES OR GUARANTEE OF JOBS, MINISTRY, OR DIPLOMA/DEGREE ACCEPTANCE.
   
   (d) Provide to prospective and enrolled students accurate information regarding the relationship of its programs to state licensure requirements for practicing related occupations and professions in Florida;
   OUR PROGRAMS WILL NOT PREPARE ANYONE FOR PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE BASED ON CRITERIA FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FOR EXAMPLE, COUNSELING COURSES WILL NOT PREPARE YOU FOR STATE LICENSURE. WE ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH PREPARING STUDENTS FOR MINISTRY IN A CHURCH, MISSION, OR PARA-CHURCH CONTEXT. EACH STUDENT SHOULD INFORM HIMSELF/HERSELF ABOUT HIS/HER CHURCH’S (OR PARA-CHURCH ORGANIZATION’S) REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREES/DIPLOMAS.
   
   (e) Ensure that all advertisements are accurate and not misleading;
   
   (f) Publish and follow an equitable prorated refund policy for all students, and follow both the federal refund guidelines for students receiving federal financial assistance and the minimum refund guidelines set by commission rule;
   THERE ARE NO REFUNDS SINCE THERE ARE NO TUITION OR FEES. STUDENTS MUST PURCHASE BOOKS AND MATERIALS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO REFUND. SOME OF THE MATERIALS ARE PRICED QUITE HIGH IN ORDER TO HELP OUR STAFF MAINTAIN AND INCOME.
   
   (g) Follow the requirements of state and federal laws that require annual reporting with respect to crime statistics and physical plant safety and make those reports available to the public;
   AND SINCE WE DO NOT MAINTAIN A CAMPUS, WE HAVE NO CRIME STATISTICS TO REPORT.
   
   (h) Publish and follow procedures for handling student complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals.
   ALL STUDENTS COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, AND APPEALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR BY CERTIFIED LETTER OR FEDERAL EXPRESS. HE WILL REVIEW THEM AND WILL ANSWER WITHIN 30 DAYS.
   
   
2. In addition, institutions that are required to be licensed by the commission shall disclose to prospective students that additional information regarding the institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission for Independent Education, Department of Education, Tallahassee.
   YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US FROM THE COMMISSION FOR INDEPENDENT EDUCATION OR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
   
   History.--s. 247, ch. 2002-387; s. 45, ch. 2004-41.