Continuing education
Life-long learners have three education options: degree, certificate, or audit (or personal enrichment).
- Degree: taking a class for full credit means that 3 units of college credit are given at the completion of the course. The student must do all homework, exams, and reading and will receive a grade. These courses can then be counted toward a degree: Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts. (For more info on the degrees…)
- Certificate: Certificate level means the student does all of the coursework, including the final exam, but does not receive college credit for a degree program. At the completion of the course, a certificate of completion is granted. Students who take 15 courses participate in the graduation ceremonies. This is not a college degree but is a rigorous and thorough study of the Bible. (See below for more about the Certificate Program).
- Auditor: the student attends only for their personal enrichment. They are not required to do the coursework or take the final exam. There is no credit given. You get out of the class as much as you want, without the pressure of grades or tests. (See below for more about auditing).
- NOTE: All Audit Classes now are administered through the Equipping Center Site.
Certificate Program
Why get a Certificate?
1) Providing an understanding of Apologetics and Christian Counseling skills
2) Preparing students to for either a part-time or full-time career in professional ministry.
3) Enabling students already employed in Christian Education to earn “continuing education units” to satisfy their ACSI requirements.
Certificate students do all of the coursework assignments which is where the learning takes place (no homework or exams required). The faculty directs you where to dig and what to look for. At the completion of the course, a certificate of completion is granted. Students who take 15 courses participate in the graduation ceremonies and are issued a beautiful diploma of completion. This is not a college degree, but the diploma does specify that you have completed a rigorous and thorough study of the Bible.
Certificate in Biblical Studies
The Certificate in Biblical Studies program is for those persons seeking formal recognition of their commitment to systematically study the Bible, yet not pursuing a formal accredited degree. The student is required to complete any 15 of the courses offered by NCBC with full participation in the assignments and exams. The completion of the Certificate program leads to participation in the graduation ceremony while being awarded a diploma that reads, “Certificate in Biblical Studies.” The cost for this program is about one-half the tuition price for accredited classes. The cost of a 3-unit class is $324 tuition (plus fees).
Auditing
Why audit courses?
The student takes the class for their own personal enrichment; no course work or final exam is required. This allows students to learn and engage with the Biblical content without having the homework or exams. There is no credit given but the reward is personal.
This program is substantially less in cost and allows students to explore all of the coursework. The lessons can be watched on their own time or listened to while driving. This is a way for Lifelong Learners to receive from some amazing teachers, pastors, and professors of the word of God and full of the Spirit.
NOTE: All Audit Classes now are administered through the Equipping Center Site.
More great benefits…
If you are considering entering into a systematic study of Scripture, you will find NCBC affordable, aligned with today’s culture, doctrinally supportive of the Spirit, and rich in biblical revelation. For live or livestream courses offered at any of our San Francisco Bay Area locations, students can attend the first class with no obligation to enroll. All Audit Classes now are administered through the Equipping Center Site.
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Graduate Program
What if I already have a Bachelor’s degree?
Continue on and earn your Master’s Degree! Our Master of Arts in Biblical and Practical Theology has a two-fold purpose: (1) to provide a strong grasp of the factual contents of the Bible, interpreted in a sound, scholarly, and spiritual manner and (2) to prepare students for a professional calling in part or full-time ministry.
Spirit and Truth: The degree is meant to balance a Spirit and Truth pursuit with the Practical Ministry and Theology combined. The transformational aspect of Biblical Truth will be balanced to not just produce head knowledge but active servants working in power.
Describe a typical NCBC student
The typical NCBC student is a bit older than a typical student you might find roaming around any of the local campuses, although we do have younger students as well. Most students have a full or part-time job, often rearing a family, serve as a ministering member of their local church, but have an insatiable desire to study God’s word.
We offer no student housing, as students live at home; we don’t have a football team or any form of collegiate athletics. Most students are busy with their lives and attend part-time, taking anywhere from 1-3 classes per quarter. Some drive over an hour to class each way; others live close by. Some students live as far away as Ireland, Australia, or Africa.
Students come from all walks of life; some are highly professional, others pastor churches, others work regular secular jobs; many are single, some are married. We even have students attending from behind bars in state prisons; some have come out of a lifestyle on the streets; most, however, feel some kind of a call of God to prepare for some type of ministry in the future.
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Christ-centered spiritual education
Dedicated professors and pastors
Accredited education with no debt
