Our courses are designed to guide serious students into committed, personal Bible study, while keeping course fees low. We ask each student to read and agree to the following conditions before taking any course.
1. Each course consists of study questions (perhaps including brief notes), quizzes, and tests. All course materials are downloaded from our WWW site. The student must agree not to copy or otherwise give these materials in any form to anyone except those in his immediate study group (see below).
2. A student may study the course material individually or with a study partner or group, such as a family or Bible class. However, each student who enrolls for credit must take each test without help from other students. We recommend that young people be supervised by responsible adults as they take tests.
3. Our courses require students to do personal Bible study and research. Course materials typically include little commentary or explanation. Rather, students are required to look up numerous Scripture references and write out their answers. These answers are for the student's own benefit and are not submitted to the academy. Course materials may recommend that students obtain study aids, such as concordance, cross-references, etc.
4. Students must take quizzes from time to time. Quizzes and answers are downloaded at the beginning of each course. Students grade their own quizzes on the "honor system." These grades are not submitted to the academy.
5. At greater intervals, students must take tests. Tests also are downloaded from the web site. Students who enroll for credit must type their answers in the indicated spaces, then email each completed test back to us. We grade the test and return it to you. These tests constitute the entire basis for course grades.
6. Course fees do not allow the academy instructor to spend significant amounts of time answering questions or engaging in lengthy exchanges. Some questions may be answered in materials we have available on our Gospel Way web site (see link below).
7. Each course is designed to require about a semester (3-6 months) to complete. Students should pace themselves accordingly. The maximum time permitted for a course is one year after enrollment. Extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances. (Younger or more inexperienced Bible students are welcome to take an entire year to study each course; but the academy views each course to be the equivalent of one semester of material.)
8. Students are encouraged to study our materials together with their families or study group. One or more students in the study group may enroll for "credit" (meaning they must pay the fee, take the tests, and receive a grade and transcript). Other students in the study group may share those materials without paying an additional fee to the academy. However, each student who wants course credit must pay the fee and take the tests. Students are not permitted to share course materials in any form with those who are not in their immediate study group. Other interested people may purchase these materials from the academy (see enrollment form).
9. Upon receiving our materials for any course, students have one week to look them over. If they choose not to keep them or take the course, they may destroy all materials they have received and request a full refund. After the first week, we extend no refunds. For this reason, we strongly urge students to read over our doctrinal views before enrolling and then look over the course materials when you receive them, to see whether you want to proceed with the course.
10. Tests are "open Bible" in that students may use the Bible text as they take each test. However, they must agree to use no other helps of any kind. They must also agree not to look over the test questions until they have finished their preparation and are ready to actually take the test.
For daily assignments, however, students will be encouraged to use other helps. Students should study a section of the course materials on their own, then discuss the material with their study group or family.
We encourage students to take quizzes in the same way they take tests; however, quizzes do not count toward course grades.
11. Grade scale. Grades consist of both a percentage score and a letter grade. These grades, of course, indicate only how well a student scored on the tests in this particular course. They are not meant in any way to indicate anyone's spiritual standing before the Lord. Grades are assigned to the percentage scores using the following grade scale (quoted from material published by the Scholastic Assessment Test):
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 65-66
F = 64 or below
12. At the completion of the course, we will send each student a transcript showing all academy courses they have completed. This transcript is the only record students will receive indicating their course credits. Academy courses are not accredited and are not guaranteed to transfer to any other institution.
13. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to reject any application for enrollment or to charge a higher fee to any student.
14. Note regarding "cheating." Obviously our students work on the "honor system." For this reason we encourage younger students to be supervised by adults when taking tests.
However, students should remember they are taking this course to learn God's word. You learn best when you do your own study. Furthermore, to take the course you must agree to abide by our rules. To fail to abide by the rules is dishonest and a failure to keep your word (James 5:12). Most important, the subject matter is the word of God. Why would anyone want to "cheat" in learning God's word? The goal is to help you learn God's will, so you can serve Him. There will be no cheating on the judgment day!
To enroll in any of our courses for credit, students must state that they are willing to abide by the above rules.
Note: Materials sent by email sometimes are lost in "cyberspace." Always keep a copy of everything you send us. If you have not received a response in two weeks, contact us again.
Further questions? See our FAQ about academy procedures.
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Internet Bible Academy
841 Hillandale Drive
Antioch, IL 60002