Regulations
Regulations are divided into the following sections.
Course Planning and Registration
Semester System
Okanagan Bible College operates on the semester system. The unit for counting credit is the semester hour, which consists of one fifty-minute period of class work per week in a normal semester. Nine (9) units or more per semester is considered a full load.
In addition to the normal Fall and Spring semesters, concentrated modular periods may be offered in the summer and winter in short intensive time-frames. These course schedules are designed especially for the busy pastor and Christian school teacher or administrator who cannot make long term commitments toward an advanced degree program.
Correspondence Courses
For those students outside the Okanagan area, correspondence and online courses are available. This is done through email, postal mail, and/or online.
See the Correspondence and Online Courses page for more information.
Transfer Credits
The Registrar under the guidelines established by the faculty evaluates transcripts. Course credits with a minimum grade of "C" earned at other graduate theological schools and seminaries are accepted at full value to the extent that the courses are comparable to Okanagan Bible College’s stated requirements.
Selection of Courses
Each student upon entering Okanagan Bible College is assigned to an advisor. Students should understand that all questions concerning academic problems should be taken first to the advisor and only later, when a problem remains unresolved, to the administration. Required courses are offered on a regular basis and elective courses are generally offered on a rotating basis. Information on the elective courses offered for any given semester can be obtained from the administration.
Registration
For One to Four Year Programs
Official registration is required at the beginning of each semester, and students will not be admitted into classes without formal registration. E-School students may begin at any time.
For Masters Level Programs
Official registration is done through CREST Leadership Training. Please consult their arrangements on their website at www.crestleadership.ca.
Adding and Dropping
Any changes after a student and an advisor have arranged the student's semester program are discouraged. No course can be added after the third week of classes. Any course dropped during the first three weeks will not be recorded on the student's permanent record. From the beginning of the fourth week of classes through the end of the fifth week of instruction, all drops will be recorded as a "W," Withdrawal. No course is considered officially added or dropped until the proper form is submitted to the Registrar in order that the student's schedule may be properly changed.
Withdrawal
A student withdrawing during the semester must submit a Petition for Withdrawal form to the Registrar's Office. The Academic Dean will then review the petition. The effective date of withdrawal shall be the date the Academic Dean's signature is affixed. Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal. Withdrawing without prior approval will result in a failing grade which will forfeit any financial refunds otherwise due.
Auditing
A student who wishes to audit, or take courses without credit, must indicate his or her intention at the time of registration. Audit students do not take examinations, and are not required to complete assignments. Courses audited cannot be counted toward meeting graduation requirements, and also cannot be taken in subsequent semesters for credit. Only lecture courses may be audited.
Independent study - Most independent study can be worked through our correspondence and on-line training.
Grading System
One to Four Year Programs
All work is graded with letters which are assigned points as follows:
| A | Excellent | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | Good | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | Satisfactory | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 | |
| D+ | 1.33 | |
| D | Poor | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 | |
| F | Fail | 0.00 |
| I | Incomplete | |
| W | Withdrawal | |
| AU | Audit 17 |
Grade Point Average
A student's GPA is calculated by dividing the student's total number of earned points by the number of semester hours attempted. The grade of W is not used in calculation of the GPA.
Incomplete
The grade of "I" will be assigned by the instructor only if the student has been unable to complete the course on time due to extenuating circumstances, including illness, but not, for example, time conflicts with work. If the work is not completed and submitted by the deadline, an "F" grade will be recorded. Students must submit a petition for an Incomplete grade to the Registrar's Office prior to the deadline for grades for all work submitted, which is two weeks after the close of the term.
Each Incomplete must be made up by the end of the semester following the semester for which it was granted. If the work is not completed and submitted by the deadline, the grade designated by the instructor at the time the request for the "I" was made will be recorded. Extensions of Incompletes are rarely granted, only in exceptional circumstances.
Changes in Grades
All grades will be recorded in the Registrar's office as reported by the instructor in each course. Once grades are recorded, only the instructor, or in special cases, the administration, can submit requests for changes in writing to the Registrar.
Masters Level Programs
All work is graded with Pass, Fail, or Incomplete in the Master of Christian Leadership and the Doctor of Ministry degree programs.
Academic Performance
Class Attendance Requirement
All students are expected to attend all classes, except under extenuating circumstances. Excusable circumstances include illness, injury, childbirth, death of a family member, or other serious events.
Class students must have 80% attendance of all courses, regardless of the nature of the absences. Those students who fail to maintain satisfactory class attendance in any subject shall not be permitted to take the final exam in that particular subject. If attendance fails to improve, the instructor, at his/her discretion, may dismiss a student for unsatisfactory attendance.
Leave of Absence
If a student cannot maintain progress on a degree program for more than one term, then he or she must request a leave of absence from the administration. A leave of absence may be granted for reasons relating to family or economic hardship, and allows one to resume his or her studies without having to apply anew for admission.
Academic Probation and Suspension
Students who do not maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for one semester, and will be notified in writing. At the end of the probationary semester, if the student has not achieved the required minimum grade point average, the student will be suspended from Okanagan Bible College.
Under extenuating circumstances, the student may appeal the suspension in writing to the Admissions Committee. All decisions made by the committee shall be final. Requests for an appeal must be made within the first five days of the semester of suspension. The results of an appeal are conveyed to the student as soon as possible. In the event that the appeal is denied, the student will be dismissed from the school, and will receive a "W" in all courses for the semester. Dismissals are considered final.
Degree Completion
Students must be in good academic standing in order to graduate. Some degree programs have additional requirements that must be met before a student is able to graduate. Details are outlined under each degree program description in this catalog. Students are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements set forth in the catalog published at the time of their matriculation for the degree they are seeking. The Degree Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Governors who must approve all candidates for graduation. To receive these endorsement students must have acted responsibly in manifesting wholesome Christian character and adhering to the standards of this school.
Students who change programs are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements of the new program. Students who take an extended leave of absence for more than one year are subject to the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their reinstatement unless written permission was obtained prior to the extended leave.
Intent to Graduate
Students who plan to participate in commencement must complete and submit an Intent to Graduate Application to the Registrar's Office. This must be done no later than the beginning of the Spring Semester of the year in which the student plans to graduate. Prior to commencement, the Registrar will evaluate each candidate's academic record. Copies of the evaluations will be sent to the student, his or her advisor, and the administration.
Financial Obligations
In addition, students must clear their accounts of any remaining balances before graduation. Students who fail to do this will not have access to any services, including transcripts, conferral of degree, diploma, or enrollment into another degree program.
Commencement
All candidates for graduation are expected to participate in the annual commencement exercises, which take place at the close of the Spring Semester. Those who cannot attend the commencement because of extenuating circumstances must make a formal request in writing to the administration to receive the degree in his or her absence. Where OBC has a partnership agreement with a church school, an "in-context" graduation service may be held with the school's permission.
Student Records and Transcripts
Confidentiality of Sudent Records
Okanagan Bible College follows the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Acts and regulations adopted to protect the rights of students. Educational institutions shall not release educational records to non-school employees without prior consent of the student.
Right of Access
Also in accordance with the same regulations, with a few exceptions provided by law, students at Okanagan Bible College may see any of their educational records upon request. Students are also entitled to copies of all records to which they have access. Students further have the right, under established procedures, to challenge the factual accuracy of the records, should they find discrepancies between the school records and their own. Students also have the right of access to recommendations and evaluations in the cases of admissions and applications for employment.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are issued by the Registrar only at the written request of the student together with the $20.00 transcript fee. The student must give his/her full name used while enrolled in the school, date of birth, Student number, dates of attendance, and degree(s) received, if any. Please note: At this time all transcripts for BIBI, OBI and OBC up through 2008 are held for OBC by Northwest Theological Seminary. No transcripts will be issued for anyone who has failed to meet any financial obligations to Okanagan Bible College.
Student Information and Services
Standards of Conduct
The standards of Okanagan Bible College, as a Christian institution, emphasize wholesome and character-building modes of conduct. Enrollment in the school and participation in its program of activities are privileges, which extend to all who cooperate in the common cause of securing a Christian education. The school's standards of conduct prohibit immoral sexual behavior, gambling, plagiarism, the possession of obscene literature, and the use of profane or vulgar language, illegal drugs, the misuse of prescription drugs, and addictions to alcohol and tobacco. Students are forbidden from plagiarizing or assisting other students covertly on tests, exams, or student evaluations of any type, designed to be completed individually. Students are forbidden to sell or share papers with other students in a manner that allows them to avoid completion of their own work.
Violation of the school's conduct polices or regulations may result in the loss of privileges, disciplinary probation, or dismissal. Disorderly and boisterous conduct is not in harmony with the goal of Christian character building and will not be tolerated. Okanagan Bible College reserves the right to amend or add to any of the regulations stated above.
Student Housing
Okanagan Bible College does not offer housing for its students.
Books
Okanagan Bible College does not operate its own bookstore but will make every effort to assist students in locating and/or providing for purchase all of the required books, as well as recommended books, for the courses that are offered.
Counseling
Counseling is available to students through several means. Administrative officers and faculty from the CREST Leadership Center are available by appointment for general counseling.
Faculty (Masters Programs)
Faculty members of Canadian Graduate School of Ministry are chosen for their academic expertise, teaching ability, and exemplary Christian life. They are expected to lead the students not only in the pursuit of learning, but also in the application of education in daily life. Faculty is expected to cooperate fully to fulfill the mission and purpose of Canadian Graduate School of Ministry, specifically:
- in conscientiously planning the course assigned
- providing a clear syllabus which clearly communicates course expectations, lecture schedule, and deadlines at the first day of class,
- providing guidance as to recommended and required reading,
- insuring that the amount of learning is equivalent to the credit units given,
- evaluating student work fairly and accurately,
- promptly submitting all grades within four weeks of the close of term.
| Shane Andrus | Professor of Synergy of Ministry B.A., M. Div., D. Min. United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio |
| Sandra Herron | Professor of Communications B. A. Whittier College, Whittier, CA; M.A. Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, CA; M.A. Counseling, Sierra University, Santa Monica, CA; Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Sierra University, Santa Monica; Licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor; California Speech Therapist, CA |
| Joseph P. Farrell | Adjunct Professor of Tutorial Studies B.A. John Brown University; M.A. Oral Roberts University; D.Phil. Pembroke College, The University of Oxford |
| James C. Poit | Professor of Leadership Senior Pastor, New Hope Community Church, Gilbert, AZ; B.A. Hope College, Holland, Michigan; M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey; Ph.D. St. Andrews University, Scotland; D.D. Canadian Graduate School of Ministry |
| Norman Steinaker | Professor, Christian Education B.Ed. University of Redlands, Redlands, CA; M.A. University of Redlands, Redlands, CA; D.Ed. Ball State University, Illinois; Credentials, California Life Teaching and Administration |
| Lawrence Wilkes | President, Okanagan Bible College, President, Canadian Graduate School of Ministry, and President, California Graduate School of Theology B.A. University of Sioux Falls; B.R.E. Providence College; M.Div. Golden Gate Theological Seminary; Ph.D. California Graduate School of Theology; D.D. Canadian Graduate School of Ministry |
Not listed is the faculty of CREST Leadership Centre. Consult their website for further information.
Advisory Council
- Rev. Dr. Fred Braun, retired registrar of Okanagan Bible College
- Rev. Leonard Frank, former faculty of Okanagan Bible College and Director of the Fairhaven Retreat Centre
- Mr. James McBride, retired faculty of University of Victoria
Board of Govenors
- Rev. Dr. Lawrence Wilkes, President
- Rev. Dr. Ross Johnston, Chairman of the Board of Governors
- Rev. Loren Bergen, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors
- Mrs. Judy Van Dyke, Treasurer
- Mr. Hank Willms, Secretary
- Rev. Anthony Greco
- Dr. Edmund Ho