FAQ: Ministry Preparation Project

What is the ministry preparation project which is being added to the MA Local Church Ministry online program?

This new course in under development but will focus on practical ministry preparation.  It will be broken into several semester and will be in online format.  This will culminate the MA Local Church Ministry program and will replace the electives shown currently in the curriculum.  Watch the online section of the web page for more information. 

FAQ: J-Term

What is a J-Term and how does that affect me as an online student?

A J-Term is a short class session which will be held during the first two weeks of January, thus the "J" designation.  This will begin in January of 2010 during which the J Term will run from January 4, 2010 to January 16.  Compressed, residential modular courses will be offered during the J Term.  Presently no online students will be required to attend a J Term class. 

FAQ: Residential Requirements for Grace's Online Seminary Program (Updated)

What are the residential requirements for online students?  

• Grace will require 3 in 3:
  Three visits in three years, with each visit lasting one week.  This is to meet the ATS Accreditation requirements.
• The first visit is the colloquial gathering at the end of August, followed by 3 1/2 days in residence for the first seminary course (Systematic Theology I).  For the fall 2008 the colloquial gathering is scheduled for Friday, August 29 at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, August 31 at 8:30 p.m.  This will be followed by the residential portion of Systematic Theology I on Monday, Sept. 1 at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday, September 3 at 5:00 p.m.
• The second visit will be the following March and will complete the residential requirements for two online courses, 3 1/2 days each.
• The third and final required visit, other than the optional visit to attend graduation in May of the third year, will be in March of the second year.  For 2010, this visit is tentatively scheduled for March 7 - 12, 2010.  This week will work the same way which it did for the second visit during the previous spring.  The first three days will complete the residential requirements for the first 8 week course, and the second will open the next 8 week course and complete the residential portion of that class.  

FAQ: How to Apply

How do I apply for the online program?

• The explanation process is explained very clearly on the seminary web page.  There is no application fee, and all the materials except for the reference forms may be submitted electronically.
• Locate the reference forms available on the seminary application page, and mail each of these three references forms included a self-addressed, stamped envelope address to Grace Theological Seminary Admissions, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.  These include:

  a. A personal reference from someone knows you well. and other than a relative.

  b. A reference from your pastor.

  c. A reference from an official at your church, other than the pastor which submits your pastoral reference.

FAQ: Non-Accepted (visiting, unclassified) Students Just Wanting to Take a Class or Two

What if I only want to take one or two seminary classes without going through the whole application process? Can I do this as a visiting online student, or begin taking one or two classes while I make my application?

Students that only desire to begin take a few seminary courses without completing the entire application process may do so simply by completing the unclassified student application. This process allows students to take up to four MA level seminary classes before they apply and are accepted to the program. Unclassified students cannot take part in the GTS scholarship program. The unclassified student process was designed for those students that desired to only take a few seminary courses, or for those that were late in applying to attend the seminary and plan to complete their application later. 

The unclassified student application is available online:

http://www.gts.grace.edu/Unclassified-application.htm

FAQ: Modular Courses – During Transition Period to Pure Online Format

The course catalog lists something called a "module class."  What is that type of class?

A module class is one in which students completed pre-course work assignments then come to our campus in Winona Lake to attend a week-long class.  The classes meet Monday through Friday generally from 8 AM to 5 PM although the last day will likely finish a few hours earlier to allow students time for travel.  After the week is concluded students will complete post-course assignments before the end of the residential semester period.  These classes are an excellent way for distance ed students to meet their professors and other students.  Eventually, all of these modular format classes will be replaced by the online format. 

FAQ: Accreditation

Are you accredited and by which organization?

Grace Theological Seminary is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  Grace Seminary is also a candidate member of the ATS and expects full membership at some future date.  This status will apply retroactively to all current seminary students.  For updates on accreditation watch that section on the GTS web page here.  For a link to the ATS status report showing Grace navigate here. 

FAQ: About the Grace Brethren

What is the Grace Brethren, is it a denomination, and is it similar to Baptist denominations?

The Fellowship of Grace Brethren is a voluntary association of churches sharing common doctrinal beliefs in a voluntary association of churches in the USA, Canada, and around the world.  Grace is technically not a denomination in that it does not operate under a hierarchal structure and attracts students from a wide variety of backgrounds, both Calvinistic and Arminian.  The worldwide Grace Brethren movement includes over 1300 churches, with a heavy concentration in central Africa.  Although the doctrinal beliefs of the Grace Brethren is very similar to conservative Baptist denominations, Grace has several ordinances that make them unique because of their Brethren/Pietistic background.  These include the three-fold communion consisting of foot washing, the love feast, and communion.  All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are welcome at the three-fold communion service and is therefore an open communion of the body of Christ.  

When you examine Grace's doctrinal statement you will discover the following elements:

• Reformed theology
• Pietistic, with emphasis on a living faith and holy lifestyle
• Anabaptist, where only professing believers partake of baptism
• Dispensational
• Pre-millennial
• Pre-tribulational

More information about the beliefs of the Grace Brethren Fellowship can be found by here. 

History of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches is available here. 

FAQ: On-Campus Amenities and Local Lodging Options

What are the amenities on campus, and some lodging options. Are there any restaurants near the campus or coffee shops to grab something between and after classes? 

Grace has a full-service dining hall on campus called Alpha Dining Commons that makes available breakfast, lunch and dinner for a nominal fee. This is open during the fall and spring semesters and has some limited operation during the summer.  Grace also provides a coffee shop in the center of the main campus called the Tree of Life, and a second Tree of Life coffee shop on the edge of campus which also houses the campus bookstore.  More information on these is available here. 

Local Lodging:

*Comfort Inn 574.269.6655
Hampton Inn (574) 268-2600
Days Inn 574.267.3344
Economy Inn 574.269.3031
Holiday Inn Express 574.268.1600
*Ramada Plaza 574.269.2323
Super 8 Motel 574.268.2888
White Hill Manor 574.269.2323
*Westminster Hall Guest Rooms (owned by Grace College, located on campus), Call 574.372.5100 ext. 6501

The Grace Brethren International Missions residence may also be available for short stays at a very nominal fee. Call Valerie Crumbley at (574) 268-1888 x-16 for reservations.

*These facilities usually has a Grace College and Seminary rate, be sure to ask when you book the room. 

FAQ: Ministry Ordination

Can I be ordained after I graduate from the seminary? 

• The seminary does not ordain students but this is done through local churches in conjunction with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) or through your own church or denomination.  An ordination class to prepare for licensure is available through the seminary for ordination in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.  Although the FGBC respects God's Word and calling regarding the role of women in ministry outside of the position of pastor or elder, the fellowship does not ordain them.  Contact Dr. Ken Bickel for details.

FAQ: Career Services

Does Grace offer career services for those seeking employment after seminary?

• Yes, Grace has a student services office. Grace also has a page on the seminary web site in which ministry jobs are regularly posted. This is presently located at: http://gts.grace.edu/jobs-for-grads.htm.

FAQ: Scholarships Available

What scholarships are available for online students?

• Grace offers two programs in addition to student loans.  The Spark Endowment (GTS Scholarship) funds up to $65 per hour for Grace Brethren members and up to $50 per hour for non-Grace Brethren church members.  The second program is the Partners in Education scholarship in which Grace matches your local church's giving up to $500 for a total benefit of $1,000 per school year distributed 50% in the fall and the balance in the spring.  Each of these programs require annual renewals. 
• For more information refer to the tuition and scholarships section on the web site. 

FAQ: Bible Background Required?

Do I need to have a Bible background to attend seminary?

• No, you do not need to have an undergraduate degree in Bible, ministry, theology or other related field. Seminary is a first professional degree which means programs are designed to serve those who will be taking their first formal theological class as well as those who have already completed an undergraduate theological degree.

FAQ: Campus Visits

Can I come and visit the campus, since I am going to be town at some point during the year?

• Yes, we greatly encourage campus visits. Please call or email Jim Hill in advance. If you come during a time when courses are in session we will arrange for you to attend a class as well as have lunch with a professor, staff member, or student.
• The Winona Lake area has a lot of cultural events going on during the summer and is an area rich with beautiful natural resources.  The largest natural lake in Indiana is only 25 minutes away and there are lots of summertime activities for you to enjoy. 

FAQ: Advance Standing and Transfer Credit

I took some theological courses during my undergraduate program, and also a few seminary courses at another school. Will I be eligible for advance standing to get these courses waived?

• Yes, you may be eligible either for advance standing, in which the course isn’t required to be taken at all, or for a waiver in which another course of equal credit hours may be substituted. Advance standing applies to courses that you have taken at the undergraduate level.  Questions regarding advance standing should be directed to Jim Hill in Seminary Admissions. A maximum of nine credit hours of advance standing will be accepted for the MA programs.
• If you took courses at the seminary level you may be eligible for transfer credit up to 1/2 of the total credits of the program in which you are enrolled, which means up to 24 hours in the online MA programs.  This will be determined during the admissions process.

FAQ: Mixing Online with Residential or DE Courses

What if I live close enough that I want to take a portion of the classes in the online format, and a portion in the residential method. Can I mix and match these courses as my schedule determines?  Also, what if I want to take courses in the older distance ed (DE) format in order to accelerate the completion of my degree?

• Yes, you can mix and match these courses with the caution that once you begin taking classes, you will be assigned to a cohort and you will need to be careful that you keep up with classes that they are taking. A cohort is what we call the group of students that begin their online seminary experience at Grace Theological Seminary during a particular semester.
• You can take distance ed courses as long as they are offered.  Once the DE class is converted to the online format it may no longer be available.  This is a way of reducing the time that it takes to complete the 48 credit hours required in the MA programs. 

FAQ: Tuition Rates, Application Fees and Deadlines

What are the tuition rates for the fall semester and the rest of the school year (spring, summer 2009)?  Is there an application fee?

• Online courses, $386 per credit hour, plus a technology fee of $125 per course.
  This is the same rate as the residential program because the level of education of the online courses is designed to meet or exceed that of the residential program and will utilize the same professors.
• Distance ed courses, $386 per credit hour, plus a fee of $159.95 is required for the ITS prefix courses before they are transitioned to the online format. These are the older distance learning courses that are gradually being replaced by the Learning House online format. Within two years all of these courses will be converted to the online format and will no longer be available.
• There is no application fee for all seminary applications when made online through the GTS web page.  
• The application fee when utilizing our paper application process is $25.00.
• The application deadline for the fall semester is August 1.
• The application deadline for the spring or J term semester is December 15.
• The application deadline for the Sparks (GTS) Scholarship is July 1. 

FAQ: Webcam Requirements

Are there currently any webcam requirements, or do you plan to require this at some future date? 

• At this time there is no webcam requirement but that may change in the future.  We use Adobe Breeze as part of the course software from Learning House, our online vendor, and so learners will be able to see work done by the professor and desktop work done by each other.  We have not made any requirement for video capabilities yet.

FAQ: How Many Online Class Sessions per Semester?

How many class sessions are there for an 8 week online class?

• Eight week compressed courses meet each week all week long around the assignments, postings, and interactions for the class. Therefore the learners will be constantly online and will need to check almost daily to see what is required.  Normal schedule for a week will be read Sunday through Tuesday or Wednesday and then complete the assignment for posting on Thursday or Friday and then interaction Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

FAQ: Room and Board during Residential Visits

Does tuition cover my room and board during the three required residential visits?

• Students are responsible for their own room and board during the residential visits.  Grace plans to offer a meal package for using in the Alpha Dining Commons, or students may choose to locate meals on their own. 

FAQ: Graduation Ceremony for Online Students

Can I attend the graduation ceremony at Grace Theological Seminary when I graduate in the online program?

• Yes, you are highly encouraged and welcome to attend this event which is held during the Saturday following the first week of May. 
• The first colloquy will be graduating on Saturday, May 7, 2011.  Students who have taken additional DE courses or came in with transfer credits or advance standing may be graduating before this date. 
• The graduation ceremony is only held in May.  Students who finish earlier than this will technically already be graduated by won't be able to attend the formal ceremony until the following May. 
• Students will need to contact the Grace College and Seminary registrar four months before they graduate to order their cap and gown. 

FAQ: Residential Requirement for Spring of the First Year

What are the residential requirements for the online students during the spring semester of the first year?

• This will be the online student's second visit to campus out of a total of three required visits for either of the 48 hour online MA programs.  The tentative date for this visit is Sunday, March 8 to Friday, March 13, 2009 (six days total).  Class will begin with worship at 8:00 AM on Sunday morning.  The location is TBD on or near the campus of Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN.
• The first three days will complete the residential requirements and conclude the 8-week online seminary course that began in January.
• The second three days will begin the next 8-week online class and complete this course's residential requirement.
• This schedule is subject to change but we will let you know just as soon as possible so that you can make the necessary arrangements. 

FAQ: Residential Requirement for this Fall

What are the residential requirements for the online program beginning this fall?

• All online students will be required to attend a colloquial gathering here in Winona Lake beginning on Friday, August 29, 2008. Registration will be from 10 AM to 1 PM, and the colloquial meeting will begin at 1 PM and run until 8:30 PM Sunday night August 31.
• Any online student enrolled in Systematic Theology I will be required to stay for an additional three days to complete the residential requirement for this course. Class will meet here in Winona Lake (location TBD). For the new Fall 2008 colloquy this will be held on Monday, September 1, 2008 from 8:00 AM EDT to noon on Wednesday, September 3. Students will find it convenient to fly into either South Bend or Fort Wayne airports. The next closest major airports are Indianapolis / Chicago (2 1/2 hrs), Columbus, Detroit, and Grand Rapids (all about 3 1/2 hrs away).