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How Academically Sound Are Summit Pacific Distance Education courses?
- All courses are written, supervised and graded by Summit Pacific College faculty. They are designed to be academically equal to courses taken on campus.
Is Summit Pacific College accredited?
- Yes. Summit Pacific College is an accredited member (since 1980) of the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE [formerly Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, AABC]), the accrediting body for Bible colleges throughout the United States and Canada. ABHE is recognized as an undergraduate institutional accrediting agency by the United States Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ABHE is classified as a National Institutional Accrediting Body. ABHE is also listed by the United States Department of Education as the recognized accrediting agency for undergraduate Bible college education. SPC Distance Education degree, diploma and certificate programs have been formally and specifically accredited by ABHE (2006, 2009).
Why don't Summit Pacific College Distance Education credits count towards the BA in Religion?
- The BA in Religion is an on-campus track. The BA in Religion is offered in affiliation with Trinity Western University. TWU instructors come onto Summit's campus and teach the General Education courses required for the BA in Religion. Students receive a degree which is issued jointly by Summit Pacific College and Trinity Western University.
Is it possible to do some of my studies through Summit Pacific College Distance Education and then complete my degree on campus?
- Summit Pacific College accepts up to 20 courses (60 credit hours) for credit towards the B.Th. and B.R.E. on campus degree programs from Summit Pacific Distance studies (See note above regarding the BA in Religion).
Does Summit Pacific Distance Education Grant Credit for Life Experience?
- " Summit Pacific Distance Education does not grant credit for life experience. By its very nature, distance education assumes adult maturity and appropriate backgrounds for all students. The college fulfills the educational portion of preparation for a more useful involvement in Christian service, but students are expected also to be preparing themselves through practical life experience. Thus, life experience receives no additional credit.
Are Summit Pacific Distance Education Credits Transferable?
- Because not all educators accept Distance Education, Summit Pacific Distance Education cannot guarantee transferability. In practice, however, courses are being widely accepted for transfer to other colleges that are accredited.
- Where college transfer is important to the student, he or she should query the institution to which transfer is planned in this regard. Summit Pacific Distance Education will gladly supply any materials or information that is requested.
Will Summit Pacific Distance Education Recognize Prior College Studies for Credit?
- Yes. The college is pleased to give credit for prior studies in accredited colleges and universities. Those with previous college or university studies should have their previous school(s) submit a transcript and request an evaluation for transfer credit.
- There are two important restrictions:
- Courses with a grade lower than "C" will not be transferred
- o If the incoming student did not graduate from the college he or she previously attended, the transferred credits cannot amount to more than one half of the courses required to complete the program.
What is the Difference Between the Initial Application and the Application for Admission?
- The Initial Application is a form submitted when the student initially registers with Summit Pacific College Distance Education. The student may enroll in up to four (4) courses without further action. If the student is not interested in completing a Distance Education program (Degree, Diploma or Certificate), then the only subsequent action necessary is filling in the Statement of Intent indicating that student wishes to continue with casual studies. This would apply to students who are taking courses in preparation for attending the college (on-campus), those who only need a few courses, those who are studying for personal interest or those who are enrolled in the Campus Missionaries In Training Program. The initial application fee is $30.00.
- The Application for Admission Admission is a more comprehensive process. This is Application for Admission to one of the Distance Education Programs (Pastoral Ministries Degree, Pastoral Ministries Diploma, Leadership Certificate or RoMER Certificate). It is identical to the process that students go through when they apply to attend the college (on-campus). Students wishing to apply for admission to a Distance Education program should download an application packet from here. or request one from the Distance Education office. Application packets contain the following forms:
- Application for Admission Checklist
- Application for Admission (Please include $50.00 registration fee)
- Declaration of Guarantor for Proof of Identity
- Statement of Intent
- Character Reference #1 - Pastor
- Character Reference #2 - Teacher, Employer or School Counsellor
- Character Reference #3 - Christian Friend (Over 21)
- Annual Student Ministry Placement Form
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- All forms must be completed and returned to the Summit Pacific College Distance Education Office. All Applications for Admission are examined by the college Admissions Committee. Applicants will be notified by letter of the decision of the Committee.
- Please have an official high school transcript sent to us.
When do they start?
- All of our Correspondence and Internet courses are run on a continuous registration basis. Apart from the application process, whenever a student is ready to start a course, he or she submits a course order and payment.
What are the educational requirements for admission?
- The college expects that applicants are high school graduates. Adult applicants who lack a high school diploma may be admitted on a probationary basis. In most cases their general educational development through life experiences will enable them to succeed. The courses are arranged in progressive order, so that the student's study skills are refined as he or she proceeds through the program.
Does Summit Pacific Distance Education Accept Divorced Students?
- Yes. A marital irregularity is not considered grounds to prevent a student from enrollment or graduation.
How do I register?
- Students who are only enrolling in specific courses must submit an initial application form, course order form, application fee ($30.00) and payment for their tuition and textbooks.
- Students who wish to enroll immediately in a Summit Pacific College Distance Education program should download or request the Application Packet from the Distance Education office and will need to submit the Application for Admission Fee ($50) along with their Application for Admission. You can download the Application Pack here.
- Those with previous college studies should have their previous school submit a transcript and request an evaluation for transfer credit. Please note that transcripts so filed become part of the student's permanent record, and they cannot be returned.
- Forms are included with printed copies of the Distance Education catalogue. They are located inside the back cover. You may also download the forms from here.
- All courses must be pre-paid.
- We accept payment by cash (in person only), Interac (in person only) cheque, money order, Visa or MasterCard.
- Credit Card payment may be done by Telephone, Fax or Email. Use ONLY the following email address to send Credit Card information: distanceed@summitpacific.ca. DO NOT send Credit Card information to instructors or course assignment email addresses. (Please be aware that email by its very nature is not secure and you use it at your own risk. Summit Pacific College Distance Education has a single email address that such information may be sent to for the purpose of registering for Distance Education courses. Your email program may save a copy of your email with your credit card information on your own computer. You may wish to check your "sent items" folder and delete the copy saved by your email program.)
How Long Does Each Course Take?
- The typical student is able to complete a course within 2 to 4 months. We recommend that a student try to plan a minimum of at least one hour per day for studies, but more time will, of course, speed progress.
- As a very rough guideline: if you were taking a course with a class, you would probably be expected to spend from 75 to 90 clock hours (i.e. actual hours) in classes, doing homework, and writing papers and exams.
- All Correspondence Courses have a final completion deadline of four (4) months. When the student orders a course, a letter is included with the course materials stating the course start date and completion deadline.
- Internet Courses are organized into modules much like a book with chapters. Typically courses have 10-12 modules. Each module represents one week's work and includes reading assignments and specific research. Students are expected to have completed individual modules by a set date. Students are required to be in contact with the instructor at least once a week. A selection of web-based resources relevant to each course is also available.
- Students who require more time may apply for a four (4) week extension.
Who Should Take the Bachelor of Theology Degree (B.Th.) program with a major in Pastoral Ministries?
- This program is designed for individuals who are looking to serve as pastors, need to qualify for ministerial credentials or are seeking an undergrad degree as a basis for further education.
Who Should Take the Pastoral Ministries Diploma Program?
- This program is designed for individuals who are looking to serve as pastors and need to qualify for ministerial credentials.
Who Should Take the Leadership Certificate Program?
- This program is designed for actual or potential leaders and teachers who need widespread Bible and doctrinal understanding to serve in some phase of church work or Christian activity.
Who Should Take the RoMER Certificate program?
- This program is designed for individuals who are looking to qualify for the PAOC's Recognition of Ministry credential.
Does Summit Pacific College Distance Education Offer a Program that Qualifies for Ministerial Credentials?
- Yes. The Bachelor of Theology Degree (B. Th.) and the Pastoral Ministries Diploma programs fulfill all of the academic requirements for PAOC Ministerial Credentials. The Leadership Certificate and RoMER Certificate fulfill the requirements of the PAOC's Recognition of Ministry credential.
Does Summit Pacific College Distance Education Graduation Assure Placement In Christian Service?
- Unfortunately no! Qualifying for graduation is simply one aspect of preparing for involvement in Christian service. Placement in a specific post of Christian service requires an appointment or a call, and that depends upon circumstances and opportunities within the candidate's circle.
How Does A Correspondence Course Proceed?
- In response to the student's order, the College sends: a Study Guide, the required textbooks, and the Application for Exam Supervisor and Course Extension Application.
- The student proceeds through the course following the directions of the Study Guide. The study guide will instruct the student when it is time to write exams or do assignments.
How Does An Internet Course Proceed?
- In response to the student's order, the College sends: the required textbooks, and the Application for Exam Supervisor. The student is provided via email information to access the course material, the Course Mentor's name and email address and a course calendar.
- Each course is broken into modules like the chapters of a book. Each module represents one week's work. The course calendar lists the dates by which each module should be completed.
- The student proceeds through the course following the directions of the on-line course guide. The on-line course guide will instruct the student when it is time to write exams or do assignments.
What do I need for an Internet Course?
- Computer: There are no special requirements for your computer apart from being able to reliably access the Internet.
- Internet Connection: You should be able to function adequately with a good dial up connection. A high speed connection will of course enhance your experience.
- Software: The courses are designed to work on any computer that is properly set up to browse the Internet. It is recommended that your browser software be up-dated to the most recent version. Our preferred browser is Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Others will also work just fine. MSN Messenger may be required for on-line interaction in some courses. As well, you will need some kind of word-processing software and email.
What about assignments?
- Assignments for Correspondence or Internet courses may be submitted by regular mail or email. We accept material in the following electronic formats:
- Microsoft Word
- WordPerfect
- Rich Text Format ("RTF" format)
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- Students registered in Correspondence courses may submit their assignments via distanceed@summitpacific.ca. Do not submit assignments via any other email address. Please clearly identify all materials sent with your full name, course number and course name.
- Students registered in Internet courses must be sure to use the email address provided on the course site. Please clearly identify all materials sent with your full name, course number and course name.
How are exams handled?
- Summit Pacific's Correspondence and Internet courses require the use of an Exam Supervisor to oversee the writing of all exams. The student should make an arrangement with their Pastor or some other suitable person to be their exam supervisor.
- Exams for Internet courses are not done on-line.
- Qualifications and responsibilities of Exam Supervisors are provided on the back of the Exam Supervisor Application Form.
- When the person has been selected and has agreed to be the student's exam supervisor, the Application for Exam Supervisor form should be filled out. Both the student and the exam supervisor must fill out and sign different sections of the form. The student should then return the form to the college. This should be done as early as possible. The college will then send the exam supervisor the exams for the course.
Who Can Be An Exam Supervisor?
- An exam supervisor can be any of the following: pastor, church secretary, board member, teacher (elementary, secondary or post secondary) or librarian (professionally employed). We expect that most students' exam supervisor will be their pastor.
- An exam supervisor CANNOT be a relative, someone you live with, someone you are dating, someone who is your direct supervisor at work or someone for whom you are a direct supervisor at work.
- When you return your exam supervisor application form, the exams for your course along with instructions are mailed to your exam supervisor.
- If the college becomes aware of irregularities in the handling of exams, a student may be required to hire at their own expense a Notary Public to oversee the writing of exams. Serious irregularities in the handling of exams may result in dismissal from the school.
What is the policy regarding drops, refunds and withdrawals?
- A student must notify the college in writing of his or her intention to withdraw in order to qualify for a refund. Written notification of withdrawals must be sent to the Director of Distance Education. A form is available for download here.
- Refund is on a percentage basis:
- Up to 2 weeks - 80%
- Up to 3 weeks - 60%
- Up to 4 weeks - 50%
- Up to 5 weeks - 20%
- Over 5 weeks - 0%
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Can A Student Order More Than One Course At A Time?
- Yes. The College will provide as many courses as the student wishes, though of course, they must be prepaid. We suggest, however, that students should be careful not to overestimate their abilities. Enrolling in more courses than you are able to handle can result in serious discouragement! As a general guide, four or five courses is considered to be a full semester course load for someone attending school full time. The student should take into consideration other obligations and pressures they may have in determining an appropriate course load.
What Regulations Affect Graduation?
- In order to qualify for a Pastoral Ministries Degree, Pastoral Ministries Diploma, Leadership Certificate or a RoMER Certificate, the student must complete all of the requirements of the program. It is the student's responsibility to be sure that all exams have been taken and all study papers submitted for all courses for which credit is expected. When a student applies for graduation, all of these details are reviewed, and any omissions or incompletes are called to account. An application for graduation form may be downloaded from here. or may be requested from the Distance Education office.
Income Tax Receipts
- Students enrolled in the Summit Pacific Correspondence and Internet Studies program qualify for tuition tax credit (tuition and textbooks). Tax receipts will be sent to students enrolled in these programs.
What is the Doctrinal Position of Summit Pacific Distance Education?
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