Transfer of Credit

The following is a brief extract from the “Academic Information” section of the Prospectus. Please review the above mentioned section for more detailed information.

Credit for Previous Theological Studies

It is possible for a student who completed theological studies prior to attending EAST to receive credit either by transfer or Advanced Standing. The student may attempt to validate courses taken ten or more years prior, which may not qualify for transfer credit or Advanced Standing. Up to a maximum of 40% of credits required for a degree program may be granted through credit transfer, Advanced Standing, validation, or a combination of these options.

If a student wishes to be considered for either transfer of credit or Advanced Standing, all transcripts (including IBS and SALT) must be submitted along with the admissions application. Decisions regarding transfer of credit or Advanced Standing will be determined by the Dean of Academics and communicated by the last day for adding/dropping courses for that semester. If a student wishes to attempt to validate one or more courses, an application must be submitted to the Dean of Academics prior to the start of EAST Aleph.

1. Coursework Completed at EAST Extension Centres

Credits earned at EAST extension centres (such as EAST-approved IBS or SALT classes) within the ten years prior to matriculation are considered as EAST courses rather than transfer credits. These are included on the transcript. Courses completed more than ten years earlier will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

2. Transfer of Credit

Transfer of credit is determined by the Dean of Academics. Questions regarding transfer of credits should be directed to the Dean of Academics.

Transfer of credit towards a degree program of an equivalent level (Bachelor’s to Bachelor’s or Master’s to Master’s) may be accepted from other Bible Colleges, seminaries, and graduate theological schools. These schools must have internationally recognized accreditation where work parallels that of courses in the EAST curriculum or where courses legitimately fit into a student’s degree program at EAST.

All courses considered for transfer must have been completed within the previous ten years and have a final grade of “B-” or higher. Courses completed more than ten years earlier will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Transferred credits having fewer credit hours than EAST courses will be given the value at which the courses were taken but those having more credit hours than EAST courses will only be given the value at which EAST offers them.

Students may transfer up to 40% of the total credits of the program for which they are applying. All credits transferred will be noted on the transcript, but will not be counted towards the student’s final GPA at EAST.

Credits earned through the Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS) or School of Applied Leadership and Theology (SALT), which were not EAST extension courses, are transferable provided they meet three criteria. Generally (1) the courses must have been completed within the ten years prior to matriculation, (2) the student earned a grade of “B-” or higher, and (3) the courses were taught by an instructor with a ThM degree or higher.  Courses completed more than ten years earlier will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Credits earned in a Bachelor’s degree program are not transferable into a Master’s degree program at EAST. However, those who have a theological Bachelor’s degree (such as BTh or BACM) from an accredited institution may receive Advanced Standing towards a Master’s Degree. For additional details see the following “Advanced Standing” section.

In order to transfer credit, an official transcript must be sent as part of the admissions process to the EAST Admissions Officer directly from the institution(s) that the student attended. A photocopy provided by the student is not considered an official transcript. The student may also be required to provide a Prospectus/Catalogue, syllabus, or course notes from the previous institution if deemed necessary.

Students from non-accredited theological institutions cannot transfer credit, but may apply for course validation (see following “Validation” section). Credit will not be accepted for transfer if a student has been dismissed from that institution.

Students enrolled at EAST who wish to take courses elsewhere and   transfer the credit to EAST must obtain prior written approval in advance from the Registrar.

3. Advanced Standing

Advanced standing is available for individuals who successfully completed a theological Bachelor’s degree (such as a BTh or BACM) within ten years of matriculation at EAST from an institution with internationally recognized accreditation. Individuals meeting these criteria may request consideration for Advanced Standing towards a Grad Dip, MA, or MDiv degree. Advanced Standing also applies to EAST graduates who completed a BACM and wish to enter a Grad Dip, MA, or MDiv at EAST. Courses completed more than ten years earlier will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

A maximum of 40% of MA or MDiv program credits may be eligible for Advanced Standing if relevant courses with a B- grade or higher were completed on a Bachelor’s level. However, if the student is also validating courses, then the combined total of Advanced Standing and validation credits may not exceed the 40%. These courses either need to parallel courses offered in the individual’s proposed program of study at EAST or legitimately fit into the program of study.

All Advanced Standing credits will be noted on the student’s transcript. However, they will not be counted towards the student’s final GPA at EAST.

In order to obtain Advanced Standing, an official transcript must be sent as part of the admissions process to the EAST Admissions Officer directly from the institution(s) which the student attended. A photocopy of the transcript submitted by the student is not considered an official transcript. The student may also be required to provide a Prospectus/Catalogue, syllabus, or course notes from the previous institution if deemed necessary. Advanced Standing for courses is determined by the Dean of Academics.

4. Validation of Prior Coursework

Validation allows a student an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in a subject so the student does not need to repeat similar course material. Instead, the student will substitute another subject in the same area which would expand their knowledge. A maximum of five (5) credits may be validated for a Grad Dip and a maximum of fifteen (15) credits for all other programs (unless transfer credit or advanced standing credit has also been awarded, then a maximum for the combined total is 40% of the total credits in the degree program).

A student may apply to validate a required EAST class, which is similar in content to a course taken at another theological school, IBS, or SALT or a subject in which the student has demonstrated mastery and used more than five years in a ministry setting. The student must submit a written request to validate a course to the Dean of Academics.

The Dean of Academics will arrange with the appropriate instructor for the student to take the course exam (or equivalent assessment). There is a $60 non-refundable fee per validation exam or equivalent assessment. For some courses the student may also need to document use of the subject material in various settings and/or identify resources read on the subject.

If students earn a grade of “B-” or above on the exam or equivalent assessment, they will be notified that the course has been successfully validated. This allows the student to substitute an equivalent number of hours in the same department as the validated course, but does not give credit for the validated course or reduce curriculum requirements. Validated courses will be included on the transcript, but no grade will be listed as validated courses do not count towards a student’s GPA or curriculum requirements.

If students do not earn a grade of “B-” or above on the exam or equivalent assessment, they will need to take the required EAST course.

EAST alumni who hold a degree and seek a second degree do not need to validate a course by exam. However, only courses with a grade of “B-” or above would be considered for validation. Generally the Dean of Academics would identify which courses may be validated. The student would then substitute an equivalent number of hours in the same department as the validated course(s).

 

This page is updated as of August 2022.