Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

This is one of our frequently asked questions and is covered in the Colorado Theological Seminary FAQ.

Yes, we are totally online or distance learning, depending on your program. You may study from the comfort of your own home, and there is no need to travel for any reason to earn your degree. In fact, questions about our online status appear often in our list of frequently asked questions.

Many prospective students inquire about studying independently, and these are included in our most frequently asked questions.

Yes, each student studies independently and is not required to work in teams or cohorts. This is also included among our most frequently asked questions by prospective students.

Scholarships and financial aid concerns are among the frequently asked questions.

We do not. The only scholarships available are for military veterans or active service personnel, which amounts to 10% of a particular course. Frequently asked questions about scholarships and financial aid are answered here.

For those interested in military benefits, it is worth noting that this topic arises in our frequently asked questions list.

No. Since we are not affiliated with the US Government, we are not eligible to accept those payments. However, scholarships are available for military veterans or active service personnel, which amounts to 10% of a particular course.

Some of the frequently asked questions involve student support and mentoring throughout your program.

No. Every student, except Personal Enrichment course students, will be assigned a doctorate level Mentor to assist them throughout their program. Of course, it is up to you to motivate yourself and keep to your own schedule, but Mentors and staff are always there to help.

Communication methods are often discussed in our frequently asked questions, so feel free to reach out for clarification.

The primary method of communication is via email.

Accreditation is a topic that appears among our frequently asked questions.

No. CTS is not accredited by any agency authorized by the US Education Department to do so. Be advised and do not be deceived: schools that advertise that they are “accredited” by a non-governmental body, are not officially recognized as accredited in the true sense of the word. For example, schools accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) or Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) are. Click here for more information on accreditation.

CTS is a Sustaining Member of the Council of Private Colleges of America (CPCA) and the Florida Council of Private Colleges (FCPC). These organizations strive to honor the motto “Keeping the Lord’s Testimony Beyond Reproach”. This is provided by a Faith Based Alternative to USDE and CHEA-approved accreditation. Please see more details on this by visiting the CPCA website. Additionally, you can review our frequently asked questions regarding memberships and affiliations.

Transfer credits, acceptance, and policies are often among the most frequently asked questions.

It is always up to the receiving school to make that determination.

First, you will want to fill out an application. If you prefer, you may mail in an application. You need to pay your $125 application fee at the time of submission. This can also be submitted on our website. If you have questions about the process, our Seminary School Admissions FAQ is a helpful resource. Once the application and fee have been received, the Board will review your application. If accepted to CTS, you will receive an email with acceptance information regarding your online seminary school program. Additionally, reading the Seminary School Admissions FAQ can clarify any step of the process.

You may easily view or download our catalog . For further guidance, refer to the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

No. At this time, CTS does not offer student loans or scholarships. We prefer to have students pay by the course. Our tuition is low enough that you should be able to graduate debt free. However, we do offer a monthly payment plan. For answers relating to scholarships, financial aid, or tuition, check the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

We do not qualify for military benefits at this time.

However, we do offer a 10% military discount on tuition to current service members and veterans to show our appreciation for the sacrifice they have made for our country.

In short, the Seminary School Admissions FAQ is a convenient source for answers about financial options.

No. There are about 40 accrediting organizations that are recognized by the US Dept of Education. The requirements for joining one of these are many and varied. The biggest of these are capital, real estate, library, and income sources. These are very difficult for smaller and midrange bible colleges and seminaries to meet. In our case, our objective is to make Christian education affordable and accessible. Many bible colleges and seminaries cannot meet or choose not to meet these requirements. Accreditation is quite a nebulous thing unto itself. Many schools within the same accrediting commission do not allow transfer of credits or degree recognition. It is always up to the receiving school to make that determination. Many schools go to great lengths to tell you why they do not desire accreditation at all. Others say that if you are not accredited by the government, then you are a diploma mill. If you are looking for a solid education from a credible school and need to do so without travel and expense, then Colorado Theological Seminary is the place for you. More information on accreditation. The Seminary School Admissions FAQ addresses accreditation and educational standards.

Yes. CTS offers a fine selection of school rings from Jostens. Further details can be found by consulting the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

That will depend on the program you are interested in. But to get an overall view of the program costs, please click on the Degree Programs link. For more information on fees and expenses, refer to the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

No. However, we request that you attend a church in your community. If you have doubts about eligibility or background requirements, review the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

Yes. After you have completed a few courses with CTS, we can connect you with a credible organization that can assist you with your licensing, commissioning, or ordination. For licensing information, see the Seminary School Admissions FAQ section.

Sure, you can! Obviously, God has planted this seed within you. You will be assigned a mentor to help you along the way. The coursework can be taken in bits, and we have the necessary online resources to assist you in your studies. Everyone is a bit anxious when they start. YOU CAN DO IT! If you have age-related questions, the Seminary School Admissions FAQ provides encouragement and advice.

Yes. You can download some Test Drive course samples from our website for FREE. This will give you an idea of what our CTS materials are like. Unfortunately, we cannot do this for NCCA or ITS materials. For sample course inquiries, please consult the Seminary School Admissions FAQ for more details.

Yes, but only at the undergraduate level. You can download our Life Learning and Experience Portfolio (LLEP) from our website for $300. CTS will analyze your documentation and give you credit as appropriate. Just getting several credits will offset this cost. There is a cost of credits brought in for life experience. For information about life experience credits, refer to the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

You must request your transcripts from the registrar’s office of each school you have attended. In order for a transcript to be an official copy, it must come in a sealed envelope directly from the school. There is usually a slight charge for this service. Please have the transcripts sent to: Colorado Theological Seminary, Administrative Office, 333 Colony Blvd, #216, The Villages, FL 32162. For transcript procedures, consult the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

Yes. We are fairly liberal at the undergraduate level, and we can transfer in grades of C or better. At the graduate level, the grades must be a B or better, and the courses must correlate with the degree you plan to enroll in. Questions about transfer policies are addressed in the Seminary School Admissions FAQ.

Yes. We expect students to methodically and purposefully proceed with their studies until they graduate. Live a Godly life that would bring honor to themselves, the Lord, and CTS. To support CTS with their prayers and with their giving. If you need guidance, please review the Seminary School Admissions FAQ for student expectations.

The average student generally completes any of our online Christian college courses in 4-6 weeks. You may progress more quickly as time and funds allow. However, you may take up to 6 months to complete a course. For more information, see our Christian Degree Programs FAQs to help answer your questions.

Yes. Every student will be assigned a Christian college degree mentor to guide them through their program, grade exams, and assist as needed. When considering questions about mentors, you can also refer to the Christian Degree Programs FAQs.

We offer degree programs from the Associate level to the Doctoral level in Ministry and Biblical Studies. We also offer Master’s and Doctoral levels in Christian Counseling. You can also take a Master’s in Church History and Divinity. If you have questions about these Christian programs, see the Degree Programs FAQs section for more details.

Yes. You may take Personal Enrichment courses individually by the desired course. We are still populating these courses on the website, so continue to come back and view the latest updates. To learn more, consult our FAQs about Christian Degree Programs for answers regarding personal enrichment.

The NCCA counseling courses come with their own books. The CTS and ITS courses will require you to purchase books. Our Christianbook.com -associated online bookstore will make available the books you need. We also have many links to virtual libraries that offer free downloads of eBooks. Procuring your resources will be very easy to do. If you’re curious about textbooks, the Christian Degree Programs FAQs section can help clarify your options.

The M.Div and Master's in Church History use course materials from the Institute of Theological Studies (ITS). You will receive via UPS or the mail audio CDs / MP3 files. You will also receive a syllabus and study guide. You will need to listen to the CDs and answer the study questions. You will also do some outside reading and paper writing. You will send your coursework to your mentor for grading. For further guidance, check out the Degree Programs FAQs for Christian students.

Some of our Christian counseling programs utilize materials from the National Christian Counselors’ Association (NCCA). You will receive via UPS texts and perhaps a DVD. After studying the materials, you will take a proctored exam. A proctor is someone who is not a family member, who will verify it was indeed you who took the exam and that you did not use any study materials while taking the exam. You will send your answers to your mentor for grading. Find more information in the Christian Degree Programs FAQs, which cover examination policies and procedures.

The Ministry, Biblical Studies, and some of the Christian counseling programs use our own material. A study guide and course requirements will be sent to you by your mentor via email attachment. You will be required to take midterm and final exams (non-proctored) and send them to your mentor for grading. You will also need to do a certain amount of outside reading and paper writing, which will be assessed by your mentor as well. You may mail or email these to your mentor. To learn more, read our FAQs about Christian Degree Programs to understand CTS requirements. Contact us today to get started on your online Christian college degree!

Distance learning is popular for many reasons. It is cost-effective. Many large companies, such as IBM, train employees in this manner to save transportation and scheduling costs. In addition, it allows the student to manage his or her own time since most adult students are working a full-time job and raising a family. Industry analysts determined that 1.8 million students were enrolled in online studies in 2007. By the way, many distance learning frequently asked questions relate to these conveniences and advantages.

Studies have shown that distance learning is just as effective as on-campus study. The wear and tear of student travel time can be avoided while studying at our distance learning seminary school from home. Moreover, many prospective students who raise distance learning frequently ask questions about programme quality.

Unlike some schools, Colorado Theological Seminary is not a diploma mill. Although we make no claims about employment and readily acknowledge that degrees earned are for Christian service in the work of the Lord, we have many students who are being reimbursed by their church or religious place of employment. If you want to learn more, you may consider checking our distance learning frequently asked questions for information about employer recognition.

Acceptance of credits or degrees is an institutional decision. While this decision is often made based on the accreditation status of a school, this is not always the case. Colorado Theological Seminary’s reputation for being both theologically and academically solid has been sufficient reasoning for colleges and seminaries to accept CTS credits or degrees. Notably, Liberty University, Phoenix Seminary, and Northcentral University are a few accredited schools that have accepted CTS credits or degrees (per CTS graduate testimony)

No. Our campus is virtual. All courses can be done at home, at your own pace, and on your own schedule. There is no need to make many trips to participate in the course “intensives” training. This is unlike many other distance learning bible colleges or seminaries.

We have held a few impromptu graduations in the past; however, at this time, we have elected not to have a published annual graduation exercise. This keeps us in concert with the fact that we do not have residency requirements. Additionally, many of our students could not find the time or the funds to attend. We offer this distance learning seminary program online, ensuring that there is nothing holding you back from enrolling in your true calling. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our certificate program, please feel free to contact us . Additionally, you can visit our dedicated page for distance learning frequently asked questions to find detailed answers.

They are very similar, especially in the first eight courses. That is because these courses are needed for an NCCA license in Christian counseling. The PhD will require more APS reports and advanced classes. If a student finishes the MA and wants a PhD, then an individual program would need to be created so that there would be no duplication of coursework. Christian counseling provides a unique approach that incorporates faith-based principles along with traditional therapeutic methods.

The Arno Profile System is a scientific instrument used to determine a person’s God-given temperament. With expertise in counseling from a Christian perspective, the counselor can more readily assist the counselee with their issues.

Most students start by contacting their friends, relatives, or church family. Since this is a learning experience, these individuals will normally take the survey in order to assist the student through their program. Once you have gained confidence in analyzing the reports and sharing that information with the counselee, you will then be surprised to find out that many people will soon be seeking you out. So, getting your surveys and case studies done will not be an issue for you. Remember, you will also be assigned a clinical supervisor within the Christian counseling degree program to assist you in this matter. In Christian counseling, guidance is often provided through mentorship and faith-based community connections.

No. NCCA licensure requires a church covering and ministerial credentials and is a faith-based, temperament-oriented approach to counseling. It adheres to the maxim that all counseling is fruitless without God involved. State licensure utilizes secular therapies focused on humanism, which leaves God out of the counseling sessions. However, Christian counseling emphasizes spiritual care and values in its licensure.

No. Joining the NCCA and becoming licensed by them is an option. It has no bearing on earning your degree. CTS had designed the degree plans to make it easy for students to qualify for NCCA licensure should they desire to obtain it. For those interested in Christian counseling, these plans offer flexibility and specialized training. Contact us to get started on your online Christian counseling degree today!

Yes. CTS is a distance learning seminary. Being a strictly online student allows you to study from the comfort of your own home. This makes it easy to become a student at the Colorado Theological Seminary School from anywhere in the world

No. The TOEFL is not a requirement for becoming a student in the seminary school.

It is possible. This would pertain primarily to materials that would need to be shipped to you. If this is the case, then CTS would charge you for the extra costs once they were determined. This would usually be after you have received the materials. This would apply to the NCCA counseling materials and the ITS CD’s for the Church History and MDiv programs. CTS materials would normally come via email attachment in PDF format, and there would be no extra costs associated.

In general, you should not. Most students use PayPal , Western Union, MoneyGram, or bank wire to make payments.

CTS does not offer scholarships or financial aid to any students. In order to keep our costs low, we must keep our profit margins low as well. This is in an effort to keep overall tuition costs as low as possible for all students. Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.