General Questions
Independent Study Courses
Interactive Online Courses
General Questions
Is Life Pacific College accredited?
Yes, the college is accredited both by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001, and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE, formerly AABC), 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 26, Orlando, FL 32878, (407) 207-0808, exdir@abhe.org.
Is Life Pacific College affiliated with a particular denomination?
Yes, since 1923 the primary mission of the college has been to prepare men and women for ministry in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, for more information concerning the Foursquare Church see www.foursquare.org.
Who can take Distance Learning classes?
Anyone who has graduated from high school (or has a GED) and is a follower of Jesus Christ may apply. Christian faith is a requirement because of the college's primary mission of preparing people for Christian ministry. The requirement can be appealed in some circumstances. Academically qualified high school juniors and seniors may apply through a special program called LifeLaunch.
If I am planning to enroll in the residential program at Life Pacific College, will the credits I earn through distance learning apply?
All courses taken through distance learning will transfer into the residential program at LIFE, either fulfilling specific requirements or as electives. Each degree program has specific curriculum requirements. If you plan on pursuing a degree through the residential program, you should acquaint yourself with the requirements in the catalog to determine which courses would be most profitable. We are always happy to advise you.
Are your courses transferable to other colleges and universities?
Life Pacific College has achieved the highest possible accreditation, which means that credits are easily transferable to most other colleges and universities. The receiving institution always has final authority to decide whether or not to transfer a course. If you intend on taking distance learning courses for the purpose of transfer to another institution, you should verify their transferability with that institution.
Do I need to fill out the degree seeking application form if I only want to take one or two courses?
No. A student can enroll in up to 16 units with the non-degree seeking application.
Do I have access to the library?
Yes. Distance students have the ability to access the library’s resources as long as they are currently enrolled in a course. For more information, Click Here.
Is financial aid available?
Regrettably, no. At the present time financial aid is unavailable to our distance students due to federal regulations that require aid be administered within a semester or quarter system framework. Keep checking with us on this as the rules may change.
Are VA education benefits or tuition assistance available?
Yes, veterans may apply for benefits for independent study with the Distance Learning Department when enrolled in the Associate of Arts degree program. To get more information regarding this benefit, call 800.827.1000 or visit www.gibill.va.gov. Active duty personnel may also submit tuition assistance vouchers from the military with a course order form and application.
Do you have a tuition payment plan?
Tuition is paid in full at the time of registration. We have open enrollment so that you can register for as many courses as your time and finances allow.
Can I earn a degree through Distance Learning?
Yes, you can apply for our Associate of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. Most of the requirements can be fulfilled with our independent study courses. Two or three course requirements can be met through our interactive online classes, at a community college, or through another distance program (we can refer you).
Independent Study Courses
How does independent study work?
You send us a short application and a course order with payment. We send you textbooks, study guides, and assignments. When you are getting ready to take one or more of the exams, you let us know and we send the exam(s) to your monitor. When you have completed the assignments you send them to us for grading. We are usually able to return the graded work in two weeks.
What kind of work do I do for an independent study course?
Each course has exams, an individual study assignment, and an action project. The study guide carefully directs you through the textbook and biblical material to prepare for the exams. Exams are monitored by your pastor or someone on the church staff. The individual study assignment takes one aspect of the material already studied and examines it in-depth. In the action project, you will apply the learned material in a practical way to your local church setting or the community. The individual study assignment or the action project may require interaction with your pastor and teaching a small group within your home church.
How much time will be required?
All of our courses are college-level studies and will require as much time and effort to complete as the same course taken on campus. Independent study courses are designed to be an equivalent amount of work as an on-campus class, so anticipate thirty hours or more of work per unit.
What course should I take first?
Introduction to Biblical Literature is a good course to start with, but any 100 level course would be fine. Please feel free to call us if you need assistance in course selection.
When can I begin a course?
Anytime.
Can I speak with an instructor?
A faculty representative is available for each course to answer any questions you have concerning the course material.
How do I submit assignments?
You can send assignments by mail or email, or drop them off at our office if you are nearby.
How are exams administered?
When you are ready to take your first exam, you will select a proctor who will monitor you as you take your exam. The proctor should be someone on the pastoral staff of your church and must be approved by the Distance Learning Department. A proctor cannot be a relative! The exam is mailed to your proctor, you take the exam in your proctor’s presence, and your proctor returns the exam to us. An exam request form is provided in your course materials so that you can mail, email or call in your request. Please give us at least two weeks notice before you wish to take the exam.
Do independent study courses have deadlines?
You will have six months to complete a course. You can extend the course for an additional six months for a twenty-five dollar fee.
What if I run out of time to complete my course?
You can extend the course for an additional six months for a twenty-five dollar fee.
How much does independent study cost?
Tuition is $120 per unit, roughly a third of on-campus tuition. There are also fees, course materials, and texts. The price shown for each course includes shipping and tax where applicable. We ask you to pay up front. That helps us keep our costs down. You can pay by check, money order, cash, Visa, or MasterCard.
Can I cancel a course?
Yes, you have thirty days to cancel your enrollment in an independent study course. When you return the texts and course materials in resalable condition, we’ll send you a refund (less a $15 handling fee).
Interactive Online Courses
How do interactive online courses work?
Interactive online courses take place in two intensive eight-week sessions during both the fall and spring semesters and one session during the summer. Unlike independent study courses, they have registration deadlines and specific start and finish dates. There is a considerable amount of interaction with other students and the professor using tools like online discussion boards and email. Once the class starts you’ll enter the classroom four or five times a week. The instructor will post brief lectures and assignments to help the class understand the material and stimulate discussion. You’ll submit responses and research and receive feedback from the instructor and other students.
How do I get started?
To register for an online course you need to complete an application to the college. Once you have been accepted you can register by contacting the Distance Learning Department at (877) 851-0900, or the Registrar’s office at (909) 599-5433, ext. 326. Then one week before the class begins, you’ll receive an email with a login name and password. If you haven't done a Life Pacific online classes before there is a short online orientation tutorial to complete. The orientation will help you find your way around the online classroom and learn how to submit assignments.
What are the computer requirements?
You'll need access to a computer with an internet connection. For a browser, Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher should work. (Safari will work for people in Macintosh OS X.) Microsoft Word is highly recommended (6.0 or higher for PC users, Word 98 or later for Macintosh). For more details click here.
What about textbooks?
You will receive a textbook list one month before the course starts. You can purchase textbooks from the LIFE Bookstore or other outlets such as amazon.com.
How much work should I expect?
Because the course covers in eight weeks what is done in fifteen weeks on campus, you should plan to devote at least eight to twelve hours per week to reading, participating in discussions, and writing your assignments. The course week begins on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday, allowing for plenty of time on the weekend to work on your class.
What is the tuition for online courses?
Tuition for online courses is the same as on-campus courses, $325 per unit.
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