FBEP | FAQ's

Statement of Faith History FAQ Photo Tour Board and Council Campus Map Driving Directions

Calendar Catalog Programs of Study Other Study Opportunities Course Schedules by Term Class Information Music

Applications Entrance Requirements Tuition and Fees Request more Information

January Colloquy Worldviews Workshop College Student Weekend Teachers Conference Music Events Off-site Workshops Teachers Week

Public Events Blog Give to FB ACE Links Request Transcript

FBCS FB Scholarship Christian Learning Resource

Frequently Asked Questions

If I take classes at Faith Builders, will I be able to receive credit for that work at other colleges and universities?

This question has a layered answer.

A number of colleges have accepted courses taken at Faith Builders. A transcript from FB is sufficient for these schools to grant credit.
In 2010 Faith Builders began working with the National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS) to determine whether courses offered by Faith Builders are comparable to college courses and to establish credit recommendations. National CCRS established specific college credit recommendations for the courses they evaluated. These recommendations can be viewed on their website at www.nationalccrs.org. To transfer credit from Faith Builders to a college or university using the National CCRS recommendations, contact the Registrar at Faith Builders to have an official transcript sent to the college or university of your choice. Upon application to a college or university, meet with an academic advisor and review your transcripts. Tell them about National CCRS's online directory should they need detailed information about the course and credit recommendation. To view the Faith Builders courses that were evaluated and the credit recommendations of National CCRS, visit www.nationalccrs.org/ccr and select "Faith Builders Educational Programs, Inc" or browse to http://bit.ly/hKdxjr.
Some colleges may not honor any transcripts from institutions that do not have national accreditation. In this situation students may be able to use the credit banking services of Thomas Edison State University of New Jersey. Credit banking services allow students to consolidate courses completed at Faith Builders into an official Thomas Edison State College transcript. This service is only available for courses recommended for college credit. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the receiving institution's academic policy will allow transfer of each credit. Credit banking involves a fee based on the number of semesters hours consolidated.
There are no guarantees in any of the previous options. The best way forward is to be in contact with the schools where you plan to attend and become familiar with transfer policies.

Return to top

Is Faith Builders accredited?

We are often asked this question, particularly by prospective students interested in having work at Faith Builders recognized by other schools. The short answer is no, we are not accredited as a school by any national accrediting organization. There are several reasons for this. The primary reason is that FB is unwilling to structure itself according to criteria that could be destructive to its mission and purpose. We have worked hard to design courses that meet the general expectations and academic standards for post-secondary education and to that end we have our courses evaluated by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS).

Return to top

What FBEP courses are recommended by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS)?

The current list of courses recommended for credit are available on the National CCRS listing for Faith Builders here.

Return to top

How do I transfer credits for courses taken at FB?

To transfer credit from Faith Builders to a college or university using the National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS) recommendations, contact the Registrar at Faith Builders to have an official transcript sent to the college or university of your choice. Upon application to a college or university, meet with an academic advisor and review your transcripts. Tell them about National PONSI's online directory should they need detailed information about the course and credit recommendation. To view the Faith Builders courses that were evaluated and the credit recommendations of National CCRS, visit www.nationalccrs.org and select "Faith Builders Educational Programs, Inc" or browse to http://bit.ly/hKdxjr.

How can I apply for a volunteer position?

Faith Builders regularly accepts volunteer labor in kitchen, domestics, maintenance, and renovation capacities. We also arrange for youth groups or work crews to assist in renovation and grounds upkeep, typically in the spring. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information about volunteering at Faith Builders, please contact our main office for more information or an application.

Return to top

What is mentoring?

FBEP offers mentoring opportunities to students, volunteers, and staff. Mentoring is a life-on-life relational process in which a discipler/mentor transfers his or her wisdom, information, experience, confidence, and insight to a disciple so that skills and character can develop. This takes place in group settings and in one-on-one meetings. All volunteers and students participate in the mentoring program.

Return to top

How much does a short term or semester at Faith Builders cost?

Each situation is unique, but we can generalize some costs. Tuition and Fees contains the charges for most terms. Single students can expect room and board costs between $505 and $690, plus the cost of their tuition (credit hours billed at $112 per hour). Many single students find their final bill (excluding textbooks) to approximate $1000-1200. Married students without children can expect room and board costs between $920 and $1080 for a short term, plus tuition fees. Families should call the main office for pricing information.

Return to top

What discounts are available for missionaries, ministers, mission workers, volunteers, or other special-needs students?

Yes, we do offer tuition discounts to many special groups. Some restrictions apply. Please refer to Tuition and Fees for the discounts available. Please refer any further questions to our admissions office.

Return to top

What does the number following the class indicate?

The number following the class title indicates the number of credit (semester) hours of the class. For example, Principles of Teaching is a three-credit-hour class, with a particular level of workload and cost.

Return to top

What are credit hours, and what is a typical load?

Credit hours are a measurement of the classtime and work required of a class. Faith Builders operates on the semester system. The unit for counting course work is the semester hour. A semester hour consists of the equivalent of one fifty-minute period of class work per week for fifteen weeks, with an assumption of two hours of outside preparation, or two fifty-minute periods of laboratory work per week for each
semester hour.

A typical load for a short term is 6-8 hours, and a typical load for a fall or spring semester is 12-14 hours.

Return to top

Does Faith Builders have any openings for a particular term or event I would like to attend?

We occasionally publish remaining openings on the FBlog. If you are interested in a particular term or event, please contact our main office. We are continually receiving and processing applications, so we rarely publish the exact number of remaining openings for any public event or term. Please note that earlier applications are more likely to be approved, and earlier requests for particular lodging will take precedence.

Return to top

How does Faith Builders decide what textbooks to use for classes?

FB recognizes the profound effect of the textbooks and other materials used for classes. The process for selection and usage of textbooks includes the following:

When a textbook request is submitted by an Instructor, the Academic Committee considers compatibility with the Christian worldview, academic level, appropriateness for the FB mission, acceptability to the FB constituency, and overall quality of the materials. The materials are compared with the stated positions and values of Faith Builders as outlined in the current course catalogs to make a determination of acceptability and compatibility.
Any controversial texts are sent (along with specific questions for consideration) to people who can help evaluate them in the areas of question. These people may include other teachers, Pastoral Council, FB Board and Advisory Members, and ministers. The Academic Committee considers the responses of the additional reviewers to make a final determination.
Any student, alumnus, or constituent who has a concern about any textbook or material used is encouraged to put the concern in writing and submit it to the Academic Administrator. We value this kind of input.

Return to top

May I suggest a class or textbook for Faith Builders?

We welcome input and recommendations on courses or texts. Please send your suggestion to the academics department at Faith Builders.

Return to top

Updated 09/22/2011

Frequently Asked Questions

About FB

Academics

Admissions