True Hope Bible Institute - diplomas-degrees

DIPLOMAS & DEGREES
Program Descriptions
Dr. Timothy Hoflund - January, 2010

NOTICE: A minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained on each course test. Grades are NOT averaged, so to fail one test will require the re-taking of that test in order to earn your degree.

DEFINITIONS OF DEGREES
All of these degrees are religious in nature and not only overlap, but are sometimes thought of interchangeable. Therefore, the following is not an exhaustive list but the foundation or basic representation of degree titles that are offered.

BIBLICAL SUBJECTS -- the study of major Scriptural themes and the main topics of the Sacred Scriptures. Courses dealing with various doctrines of the Word of God; that which is devoted to the fundamental beliefs of the Holy Bible.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION -- general instructions in Christianity and the study of the doctrines of Christ. Training in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the development of Christian Character.
DIVINITY-- the study of the one and only Deity. Having to do with the supreme, infinite and eternal qualities of the Almighty; pertaining to the Divine Godhead or Holy Trinity. That which is inspired by God.
MINISTRY-- pertaining to the work of the Lord and service for God. This is training in the performance of office of clergy; rendering help to people and caring for the saints. Degrees may be titled “Christian Ministry”; “Pastoral Ministry”; etc.
THEOLOGY-- the study of God and the expounding of Christology; Courses dealing with the relationship between God and the universe and man; the cultivation of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
Since our courses are rather general, we may accommodate our students by granting their preference to receive their diploma, associate, bachelor, masters, or doctor’s degree in Biblical subjects, Christian Education, Divinity, Ministry, or Theology, etc. because as stated above, these terms blend and overlapped in most creeds, books, and schools.

DEGREES OFFERED

In the secular field there is a lot of difference between a lawyer, a butcher, a banker, and a dentist.
But in the religious field what is the difference between Divinity, Theology, Ministry, Pastoral Counseling, etc.? Actually, they overlap, for the Bible is the main textbook for them all.

We offer 25 different certificates, which is comparable to many schools much larger than us. We continually work on developing more all the time. Presently we offer:

5 Diplomas:

Basic Bible Studies

The Christian Life Course

Full Gospel Fundamentals

Messianic Prophecies

Special Christian Studies

2 Associates Degrees:

Christian Fundamentals

Bible Studies

4 Bachelors Degrees:

Christian Ministry

Pastoral Ministry

Christian Marriage & Family

Full Gospel Theology

4 Masters Degrees:

Biblical Studies

Christian Ministry

Pastoral Ministry

Family Ministry

5 Earned Doctors Degrees:

Biblical Studies

Christian Ministry

Divinity

Pastoral Ministries

Theology

5 Honorary Dr. Degrees:

Evangelism

Christian Missions

Sacred Literature

Divinity

Sacred Music

NOTE: Since our courses are "Bible specific", we will not offer degrees above the level of Associates in specialized fields of ministry such as Biblical Counseling. Counseling requires the advanced studies in technique and legal considerations that T.H.B.I. does not teach. There are several good resources for Biblical Counseling Training available and if you are called into this field we will be glad to assist you in connecting with an excellent organization for Biblical Counseling training.

PROGRESSIVE LEVELS OF DEGREES

A degree is an academic title conferred by an institution of higher learning showing that a person has satisfactorily completed a particular program of study. The certificate is the actual document itself.

Degrees are progressive. One level is built on the preceding one, each level representing a higher work effort, and the equivalent of another year of study. The True Hope Bible Institute offers all five levels: Diploma, Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor:

DIPLOMA -- (40 credits) this is the first level, and like a Christian Worker’s Certificate. Some schools have just a “Certificate” where we have a Diploma.
ASSOCIATE -- (often 60-64 credits, but we require 90) the Associate Degree of Christian Studies is the first level of “degree” a student may earn and truly represents only his/her beginning efforts.
BACHELOR--- (120-128 minimum credits) this takes four years of full-time study in most secular schools.
MASTER -- (Bachelor Degree plus an additional 60 credits minimum) these represent the equivalent of one year of study beyond the Bachelor, but lower than the Doctorate, indicating that you have “mastered a subject.”
DOCTOR -- (Master's Degree plus an addtional 60 credits minimum) this academic title is awarded for the completion of advanced study and is the highest degree there is. It is the ultimate in the educational world, and has been a title of respect for learned persons since Biblical times, Luke 6:46. It is traditionally held that it takes a doctor to confer a Doctor’s degree upon someone else.

It is important to note that the degrees offered by True Hope Bible Institute are not the same as those you would earn at a secular, academic or liberal arts school.

True Hope Bible Institute courses are strictly Christian and Bible specific studies that do not include “academic” curriculum such as “English”, “Science”, “Mathematics” etc.

It is because of this that our students are able to earn our degrees in a shorter time frame than a typical secular college.

Therefore, although our degrees may be recognized by Christian Churches they may not necessarily be recognized or accepted in secular professional settings.

GRADING SYSTEM

NOTICE: Never attempt to make homemade answer sheets, unless they are exact photocopies of
the originals, because we cannot grade them. We use a grading grid.

NOTICE: A minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained on each course test.
Grades are NOT averaged, so to fail one test will require the re-taking of that test in
order to earn your degree.

T.H.B.I. Grading System is as follows:

Excellent:

A+ 100-99

A 98-95

A- 94-93

Good

B+ 92-90

B 89-88

B- 87-85

Fair

C+ 84-82

C 81-80

C- 79-77

Passing

D+ 76-75

D 74-72

D- 71-70

Fail

69-0

W - Withdraw

Suspends student status until being re-instated.
Beyond one year and status is revoked.

I - Incomplete

Delays degrees until tests are successfully complete.

STUDY CREDITS

Study credits are based on the anticipated minimum amount of study time (equivalent to class time) required to complete the study.

1 unit of Credit = 1 Study Hour; 5 units = 5 study hours (the equivalent of class room hours).

The following represents the minimum equivalent study credits for each degree earned:

40 Credits	=	Diploma
90 Credits	=	Associates Degree
120 Credits	=	Bachelor Degree
180 Credits	=	Master’s Degree
240 Credits	=	Doctor’s Degree

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I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteous-ness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
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Psalm 71:16-19 (NKJV)