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ONLINE LEARNING CAMPUS ● THEOLOGICALLY ACCREDITED ● STATE AUTHORIZED
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This is an important question which requires a well thought out answer. You may think to yourself that this is a question that only you would have the answer for, since you came to us. However, we do not want to take lightly the importance of you knowing exactly why you are seeking to attend a seminary. First of all, seminary is not just current or future pastors, teachers, or missionaries, but for all levels of effective ministry. You prepare to be able to minister to the many and the few. Your calling may not be to become a full time minister at a church or ministry, but be a local calling to help those around you, even within your own personal relationships. You go to seminary to prepare to be a more equipped Christian.
Why Northwestern Theological Seminary? Before answering this question we would first like to give you the key to your success in seminary. You should only attend any seminary after prayerful consideration and having received the peace of God in your decision. After praying about your decision to choose and enroll in seminary, you should only move forward with your decision after receiving the peace of God in your decision. The peace of God will be your confirmation that this or any other seminary is the one that you should attend. If you attend the seminary that God would have you attend, you will be transformed and equipped in a manner beyond the capabilities of any seminary in the world, as you will be aligned with God's will and purpose for your life in your decision. NTS is one of many good seminaries to choose from. However, NTS has (3) three characteristics that make it appealing to many: (1) no time-restrictions, (2) affordability, and (3) convenience. At NTS you will study at your own pace with no time-restrictions on your courses. You study when you can. Our costs are kept at a minimum, with great savings in comparison to traditional schools, in order to make it affordable for those seeking to complete their desired degree programs. The programs are 100% online, so you can study from any computer in any place that has an internet connection, including the comfort of your own home. No need to travel.
Is Northwestern Theological Seminary (or its affiliate ministries) involved with, or part of, the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints? This is a question that is made to the Seminary due to the closeness in name of our ministerial affiliation with the Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ (WCJC). WCJC is NOT, in anyway, part of the Latter Day Saints. WCJC ("Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ") is a recognized and legal name of the ministerial Church arm of Christian Alliance Ministries, representing more than 4,000 chartered churches around the world that have applied and been accepted by WCJC, who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Church as the representative of Christ on earth. For more information you can visit the website of Christian Alliance Ministries located at: http://www.ChristianAllianceMinistries.com
Is Northwestern Theological Seminary accredited?
Northwestern Theological Seminary is theologically
accredited by the World-Wide Accreditation Commission of Christian
Educational Institutions (WWAC), in Richmond, Virginia. We wish to
make it perfectly clear that due to the principle of separation of
Church and state (Mark 12:17; James 4:4; II Corinthians 6:14), the
WWAC has chosen not to seek endorsement by either the EAES or COPA,
but is a rapidly growing and respected network of over 200 schools
on the cutting edge of the Cause of Christ. In addition, the Seminary has
opted not to be regionally accredited. This means that
Northwestern Theological Seminary is not eligible for student loans,
grants, or GI Bills, and cannot be used to defer payments on student
loans used for attending a regionally accredited school.
Are degrees awarded by Northwestern Theological Seminary recognized? Degrees awarded by Northwestern Theological Seminary are recognized as religious degrees by the State of Florida, USA. You are legally entitled to use achieved educational degrees from NTS in your resumes, as well as titles of doctor in your name. For the most part, religious bodies accept degrees issued by non-regionally accredited schools, but we would advice that if you are interested in a specific religious organization, that you obtain the educational criteria for ordination by that specific organization.
What is meant by Love Offer in lieu of tuition? All degree programs of Northwestern Theological Seminary are offered with a Love Offer range based on the specific level of study (Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate). The applicant agrees to pay a Love Offer within the range established in the application for enrollment, with the minimum amount being accepted for payment of the program. The term ‘Love Offer’ is used because of the international work that is supported by the funds received through Northwestern Theological Seminary and is received in lieu of tuition. The ‘Love Offer’ amount represents the required full amount necessary to earn a specific degree through the chosen degree program in the application.
Am I required to attend any on-campus classes? No. All of our courses are established as Distant Learning Courses. Once the applicant is enrolled, they will receive access to their degree programs including the required reference books in PDF format or multimedia reference. There is no need to attend any classes in any campus. Once you access your course work, you will begin working from your computer.
The NTSMoodle is a well known Course Management System used by many colleges and universities worldwide. It is designed to help educators create quality online courses. One of the main advantages of Moodle over other systems is a strong grounding in social constructionist pedagogy.
What is the Online Student Records (OSR)? The Online Student Records (OSR) provides students with a copy of their financial and academic school records. The NTSMoodle System will provide the student access to these files directly. Grades are provided for each course from within the course itself upon completion of the assignment(s).
How long does it take to complete a degree program? This is solely based on the student’s dedication to their studies, the amount of credits transferred from previous schools, life experience credits earned (for undergraduate programs), and required courses left to complete. Degrees are normally estimated to be completed within 2-4 years, but in some cases, programs have been completed in less than 1 year.
Will Northwestern Theological Seminary accept credits earned by non-accredited schools or programs? In most cases, once it is evaluated, we will allow for non-accredited course credits to be transferred as long as it is compatible to the course of study necessary for your degree program. We would encourage that you submit all of your studies for consideration.
Can I earn a degree with Northwestern Theological Seminary by just using life experience? No. Life experience credits can only account for up to 25% of your required credits in your undergraduate degree programs only. NTS degrees are earned degrees which will require that course work be submitted and a passing grade given in order to receive a degree from this Seminary.
What is the Seminary’s denominational standing? Northwestern Theological Seminary is a non-denominational religious institution. We encourage all denominations to apply for enrollment. Our courses are structured in a way in which a student can complete their research papers from an individual denominational position. You will only be asked to be completely thorough in your paper providing adequate reference work to support your position.
What is the Seminary’s doctrinal position?
Why does Northwestern Theological Seminary sound too good to be true? Because NTS is a Christ-centered religious institution that seeks to prepare men and women for their individual callings, our answer is simple; we are a Seminary interested in fulfilling God’s calling to provide Christ centered Biblical education for the world at minimal expense. However, we encourage our applicants to seek God’s direction through prayer, in the choosing of an educational institution from which to complete their degree programs. Only if God has given you peace and assurance in your decision to enroll with Northwestern Theological Seminary should you submit an application to enroll. For all who enroll, we truly believe that each student will receive the benefit of uncompromised, Godly instruction as found only in the Living Word of Jesus Christ.
Who do I contact with questions during my time with NTS? Your student advisor is there to answer any questions you may have with regards to your program, administrative issues, and financial issues. The advisor will lead you in staying within the course parameter. You should keep your advisor updated as to your current status and provide some sample of your current work through email, if requested or required. You can also contact the administration office if for some reason you are unable to contact your advisor.
How do I submit completed course work? Course work that is completed is uploaded directly into the course within the NTSMoodle. When the advisor receives notification from NTSMoodle, he/she will begin reviewing your work for course grading. Grading can take some time, as it depends on the time of the month that the work is received. Once you submit your work, continue on to the next assignment. Do not wait to hear from your Advisor with regards to your graded paper. Think of it as end of semester grades. If you need additional keys for your next courses, notify your advisor or send an email to the administration at: Admin@NorthwesternMail.com
How is my thesis or dissertation graded? Thesis and dissertations should first be emailed to your Student Advisor. Thesis and dissertations that are completed and receive a passing grade will be accepted as fulfillment of the course requirement after the student has received and return their defense forms. An email will be sent to the student with a grade for their work. Students are no longer required to mail by postal a hard copy of the final thesis/dissertation work.
Where do I obtain my textbooks? For the most part, the NTS student will not need to purchase textbooks, unless they have been assigned a course from Module Five. The required assigned textbooks for PDF Essays are found in the Online Campus, after login in. The textbooks for Module Five are available in any bookstore including Barnes & Nobles, Walden Books, or many Christian Bookstores such as Family Bookstores, Lifeway Bookstores, and others. You can find these stores online under the ‘Classifieds’ of the NTS Library. For research the student may utilize personal books, books from a library, or online references. The Student Library located at www.ntslibrary.com also has a variety of resources and books, free of charge for the student. For Module Six, the student will receive a pdf book from the faculty advisor. Note: Some students would prefer to use hardcover books for their coursework instead of PDF books. This is accepted as long as the book chosen is compatible to the course and the book has been approved by the Student Advisor.
How do I receive my Grade Reports? Grade Reports are available to the student online after a course has been submitted and graded by the Student Advisor. Grades are logged in at different times throughout the month, so their may be a delay in obtaining your grades for a specific course submitted. Again, remember that at times your advisor will wait to receive 2 or 3 submitted class works before updating your Progress Report. Your advisor cannot provide you with a timeframe as to when you will receive your grades. Once your grade has been filed, you will be able to view them from the Online Campus, once logged in. The advisor can send back to the student a course work that has been submitted for grading if he/she feels that the work will not meet the minimum requirements for a passing grade.
How long do I have to complete my degree program? You do not have a specific timeframe, although we do ask that you dedicate some time to your studies. Distance learning is a very independent way of studying. Of course you understand that studies at Seminary levels require a certain level of both maturity and responsibility on the part of the student. We suggest that if you are planning on taking a sabbatical or furlough, that you notify your advisor.
How can I find out the balance of my student financial account? Students may view their payment history and balance from the Online Campus, once logged in to the Online Student Records.
When do I submit my monthly Love Offer payments, if I am in a monthly payment plan? You must submit your monthly payments for Option B by the 6th day of every month. It is important that you send in your payments with in a timely basis and avoid disruptions on your program.
How do I submit my monthly Love Offer payments, or other payments to Northwestern? You submit your monthly payments by going to the ‘Donations’ page of the seminary website located at: http://www.NorthwesternSeminary.com/Donations.htm You may choose what form of payment you would like to make from this page.
When do I receive my degrees, once I've completed my program? Degrees are awarded and mailed within 30 days after all academic course requirements have been met, and the full balance of the Love Offer has been paid. Both of these requirements must be met in order to receive your degrees. For Combination Programs, if the first program is completed and the Love Offer amount paid in full, you can request that the first completed degree be issued. Whether you are enrolled in a single degree program or a combination program, the financial requirements must be met prior to the mailing of any degree.
Students that have met both the academic and financial requirements of their programs will receive their degrees by First Class postal mail. The student will be contacted in order to confirm the mailing address.
Can I obtain an ordination or license to work in the field in which I have obtained my degree from NTS? Ordinations are provided for those ministers that which to operate a ministry under the charter of “The Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ”. Although your ministry will be independent and self-governing, it will fall under the covering of WCJC. WCJC will always have the right to terminate both the charter and ordination for improprieties and at the discretion of the Presiding Pastor of Christian Alliance Ministries and its Board. Licenses are not provided by NTS and should be researched on an individual basis, based on the State or Country in which you reside. You must follow the laws established by your region in this regard. Please keep in mind that the purpose of this Seminary Education is to prepare students for ministry related fields and not necessarily a field of the secular world. Although, it should be pointed out that the degrees obtain from NTS are legal and can be placed in your resume as level of educational attainment. Titles such as Doctor are also legally recognized as an accomplishment in a specific field of Religious Studies.
Can I use my enrollment with Northwestern to defer payment to lenders of previous student loans? No. Student loans used in order to attend regionally accredited schools are provided as part of an agreement to attend an eligible school with an OPE-ID number, provided to regionally accredited schools. Northwestern Theological Seminary is not regionally accredited, and as such does not have an OPE-ID number.
Can I use Financial Aid (grants, scholarships, loans, etc) provided by the use of FASFA? No. FASFA can only be used for attending regionally accredited schools, recognized by the Department of Education as having received accreditation from any regional accreditation body. As indicated, Northwestern Theological Seminary is theologically accredited by an independent Christian accrediting body, and although recognized by the State of Arizona and the State of Florida as a religious educational institution as an exempt religious institution, the Seminary has opted to maintain non-regional accreditation.
Does the U.S. Armed Forces recognize degrees earned at Northwestern for their Chaplaincy Programs? No. The U.S. Armed Forces require that all chaplains have a degree from a recognized regionally accredited school. Degrees earned at Northwestern will not qualify you for the U.S. Armed Forces Chaplaincy Program.
Can the payments made to my Love Offer in lieu of tuition be used as a tax deductible donation in my tax forms? Love Offers are an offer made in lieu of tution by a disciple/student for religious education. It is a payment amount (selected by the enrollee) in lieu of (a pre-set) tuition, in appreciation for our commitment to your discipleship. Love offers in lieu of tuition are NOT tax deductible for the following reason, as established by IRS Regulations with regards to contributions in exchange for services:
However, donations that are freely given (to support of worldwide ministries) without expecting anything in return or as part of a payment in lieu of tuition are 100% tax deductible.
Who do I contact with questions? Applicants / For Admissions: Contact the Admissions Office at: Registrar@NorthwesternMail.com For Student Academic Questions: Contact your Advisor (if you have not received an email from your Advisor, you may contact the Administration Office in order to have your Advisor re-send their information to you at: Admin@NorthwesternMail.com ) For Student Financial Account Questions: Contact the Financial Office at: Admin@NorthwesternMail.com For Student Technical OLC/OSR Problems: Contact the NTS IT Deparment at: HelpDesk@NorthwesternMail.com To submit a fax communication: You may also contact Admissions or the Administration by fax at: (727) 494-1513
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