DIPLOMA & DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Various Degrees Explained

The different degrees have distinct meanings that are significant and worth knowing along with how our approach and objectives of your learning tie into each level of degree.

First we want to make clear that at each level of scholastic degree, the serious, dedicated student of True Hope Bible Institute will be increasingly effective in their field of ministry and at the same time each Degree Study Program is also designed to help prepare the student for the next higher degree of learning.

Associates Degree:

The Academic Associates degree is also called a “technical degree” by some institutions.  While with many institutions the Associates Degree is the first part of a Bachelor Degree, or considered an entry level degree, THBI has a different purpose for our Associates Degree.

The THBI Associates Degree is NOT designed to be the entry level to or, the first half of a Bachelor Degree.

We have designed the Associates Degree for the student who, in all likelihood, will not be pursuing a Bachelor Degree for whatever reason, but does want to accomplish a strong level of understanding in Scripture for his or her work in ministry leadership. 

Bachelor Degree:      

The term “Bachelor Degree” originated in medieval times referring to a young knight or squire, an apprenticeship under a knight or in a guild.

Around this same period the French spelling, “bachiler”, came to mean "an apprentice student," or a student completing an initial level of training.

The THBI Bachelor Degree study program is designed to be the first level of ultimate scholastic development with the ultimate goal being a Doctoral Degree in your field of study that will best serve your field of ministry.

So then a Bachelor Degree is awarded to the student who has successfully completed their initial level of Biblical educational development.

Masters Degree:

In academic circles, a Masters Degree is granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

The THBI Masters Degree is awarded to those students who not only pass the course exams, but who are able to illustrate their grasp of advanced understanding in their specialized topic.  By way of the student’s dissertation he or she must be able to demonstrate their ability to independently think and solve complex problems through critical evaluation to analyze issues or concerns within their field of study in a manner resulting in true life application benefitting themselves and the lives of others.

A Masters Degree from True Hope Bible Institute is awarded to those students who have successfully completed all aspects of the Masters Degree Study Program for their chosen field.

Doctorate Degree:

The Doctoral Degree can trace its roots to the early Church when the term "doctor" referred to the Apostles, church fathers and other Christian authorities who taught and interpreted the Bible.  The right to grant a licentia docendi was originally reserved to the church which required the applicant to pass a test, to take oath of allegiance and pay a fee.

The Third Council of the Lateran of 1179 guaranteed the access of all able applicants, who were, however, still tested for aptitude by the ecclesiastic scholastic.

Today (without giving a historical treatise here) Doctorate Degrees are primarily awarded according to two purposes:  Research – PhD. and Professional – such as M.D., (Medical Doctor) or D.Th. (Doctor of Theology).

While all Doctorate Degrees are based on much student research into the student’s field of study, the True Hope Bible Institute’s Doctorate Degrees are “professional”, that is, they are meant to show the successful student is qualified at the highest level of our standards for application in ministry. 

There is no such thing as “academic ministry” (amassing knowledge, developing theory and intellectual satisfaction as the ultimate goal).

Therefore, the THBI Doctoral Degree Programs are formulated for the student to achieve an even higher development of ministerial abilities than at the Masters Degree level; to the point that the graduate should be able to formulate, develop and execute new and independent works of ministry, whether as a Theologian or as a Pastor/Elder (if qualified to be ordained); whether in expanded Christian Ministry or in developing and executing new teaching classes at any given level.

A student must meet all the requirements for the diploma or degree being studied for.  This includes all pre-requisites, pre-admission testing, all requirements listed in the Handbook/Course Catalog and all tuitions and fees paid as agreed.

NOTE: For actual costs of study courses, see "Tuition & Fees"