FAQ

About continuing disctance education at Briercrest College and Seminary

What exactly is distance learning?
Distance learning 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 guides them through the learning process.

How is distance learning different from on-campus studies?
In addition to using different learning tools, the main difference with distance learning 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 learning office open?
The distance learning 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 learning office in person, by phone at 1-800-667-5199, by faxing in the registration from, 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 three 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 anytime 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.learning@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.

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

Completing your course

Do I have contact with other distance learning 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 learning students. Your fridge at home is probably covered with a collage of information. In the same way, The Fridge is a place for distance learning students to post messages, ask questions, pray for one another, and find out the latest in distance learning.

Can I submit course assignments by email?
Yes. Now with a couple of clicks you can attach your course assignments (in Word ".doc" format) to an email and send them over the Internet. The assignments can be printed off for grading or graded electronically and returned to you even faster than before.

Feedback is important to the learning process, and the earlier the better. Now, with the ability to submit your course assignments by email, you can save time and money and receive valuable interaction even faster. Take advantage of direct discussion about these assignments and the course materials by emailing your instructor to further enhance the situation.

How do I submit assignments?
There are three ways in which you may submit your assignments. You can send them by mail, fax, or email. If you choose to email them, make sure you keep copies in case we cannot read the files you send to us.

How do I get my exams and where do I write them?
To write your exams, you must contact the distance learning office. We will need the name of someone who will serve as a proctor. This must be someone who has a code of conduct (pastor, teachers, librarian, accountant,etc.), and he or 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?
Check out our Research Links on this site. These include some online resources as well as a link to our library. You can now search the library catalogue online. 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 learning office.

Finances

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

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 learning 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.