Frequently Asked Questions

We're eager to answer your questions. We know that it is important to have the right information to make an informed decision. Therefore, we've captured the most commonly asked questions and present them, here, for your review.

If your question isn't covered here, please feel free to email or call our offices:

General Questions
History
Admissions & Registration
Distance Learning
Degree Programs
Enrichment
Financial
Foreign Students
Accreditation Status

General Questions

Q. Do I need to have a Bible background to attend GSOT?
A. The only educational prerequisite for attending GSOT for enrichment or for a Certificate Program is a high school diploma or its equivalent. For degree program students, a bachelor's degree must be earned before you complete your seminary degree.

Q. Do I need to have a bachelor's degree to attend the seminary?
A. In order to receive a seminary degree from Grace School of Theology, you must first obtain a four-year bachelor's degree or approved equivalent. However you may take courses for credit toward your seminary degree concurrent with your bachelor's degree program. Anyone with a high school diploma or approved equivalent may take courses for enrichment or for a Certificate Program .

Q. Do you offer any bachelor's degree programs?
A. No. We have three master's degree programs and certificate programs. However, The College of Biblical Studies (CBS) and Grace School of Theology offer some dual credit courses in which you can earn credit towards a bachelor's degree from CBS and master's degree (or certificate) from GSOT.

Q. I'm a bit apprehensive about going back to school at my age. Can I do it?
A. Our students come from a variety of age groups including many retirees. Many are starting seminary after years in the business world, and some are taking classes for the first time since high school. We are everybody's seminary.

Q. I would like to try a class. I'm not sure if seminary is for me. Is there a way to try it out?
A. The best way to get a feel for seminary is to take a class.

Q. Is the seminary affiliated with any particular denomination?
A. No. We are an evangelical, non-denominational seminary. We refer you to our doctrinal statement for further information responsive to this question.

Q. Where do I get the books required for my courses?
A. Most students buy their seminary books online (e.g., www.amazon.com) or buy or borrow them from another student. Some required books are no longer available new but must be purchased used. These can usually also be found via www.amazon.com but sometimes take several weeks to arrive after ordering. We also encourage students to share books when feasible, which can be accomplished by joining us on FaceBook and networking with other students.

Q. What is the average price of books for any particular course?
A. Unfortunately, this is impossible to answer, because professors and their syllabi differ and change. You should expect to pay in the range of $50 to $200 for books for each course and roughly half of that if you buy used books. You may request a syllabus in advance of registering for a course in order to determine the price of required books.

History

Q. Why is the seminary called Grace School of Theology?
A. We began under the name "Houston Seminary" in the fall of 2002 but soon learned that an unconstitutional Texas law prohibited the use of the word "seminary" in an institution's name or description without state approval. While waiting for challenges to that law to succeed, we changed our name to Grace School of Theology which both fit within the framework of Texas law and fairly described our institution. The Texas Supreme Court overruled the unconstitutional law in the fall of 2007, but we elected to keep our name as is.

As the concept of salvation by works has crept into evangelical theology, we want to make clear by our name that we are founded by and for free grace and that we stand against theology claiming in any way that eternal salvation is obtained by anything other than receiving the free gift salvation by believing in Jesus Christ for it.

Q. When and by whom was Grace School of Theology founded?
A. Dr. David Anderson founded the seminary in 2002 with the help of Dr. Bill Yarger and Dr. Kem Oberholtzer.

Q. Why did you feel it was necessary to start another seminary given that there are so many already in existence? A. At the time Grace School of Theology was founded, there were no other seminaries committed to maintaining the purity of the free grace Gospel by maintaining faculty uniformly committed to teaching it. Today, several new free grace seminaries likewise exist, but Grace School of Theology seeks to lead the effort.

Q. How is this seminary different from other evangelical seminaries?
A. We differ primarily in four important respects: (i) we focus on the free-grace perspective in all our coursework and culture; (ii) we are committed to maintaining affordable tuition without sacrificing our high quality of education; (iii) our tuition is lower than most Texas-based seminaries; and (iv) our student to professor ratio is significantly better.

Admissions & Registration

Q. How do I apply for admission?
A. Simply download and print the on-line application form and complete the requirements identified therein.

Q. What application fees are associated with applying for the first time?
A. New students are required to pay a one time $30 application fee.

Q. Can I attend classes before my application for admission is approved?
A. Yes, you may begin taking classes for credit after you have submitted your application but before you are approved for admission to a degree program. If your application for admission is ultimately denied, you may receive a refund of tuition and fees if you wish to discontinue the classes.

Q. What is the deadline for applications for admission?
Applications should be submitted on or before the first class meeting of the first course taken by the student.

Q. How do I get "official" transcripts sent to GSOT?
A. Call your institution's registrar's office, or check the school's website, and have the school send your official transcript directly to the GSoT registrar. Alternatively, you can complete and mail the Transcript Request form provided in our application to your institution(s).

Q. What is the deadline for course registration?
A. Generally, the deadline to register for any particular course is the date of the first meeting for that course. Sometimes students may be allowed to register on or before the second meeting of the course subject to the professor's discretion.

Q. How do I register for classes?
Registration for classes must be completed online at www.gsot.org.

Q. Do I need to take courses in any particular order?
A. Generally, no. Some courses have prerequisites which are clearly stated in the course description in the course catalogue and on our website. The degree plans may have a suggested order for taking classes, but it may be impractical based on course offerings to take the courses in the exact order suggested. We generally recommend that Bible Study Methods (Hermeneutics) be taken as early as possible.

Q. Does GSOT accept transfer credit?
A. Transfer of credits occurs on a case by case basis at the discretion of Grace School of Theology. Generally, transferred credits must have a grade of B or better from an accredited graduate school and must fit within the student's degree plan at Grace School of Theology. Undergraduate course will not transfer. Have your official graduate transcripts forwarded to the registrar, and notify the registrar of your request that the transcripts be reviewed for possible transfer of credits.

Q. Can I get any credit for life, ministry, or educational experience apart from "credit transfer?"
A. Students may apply for advanced standing examinations in order to test out of courses required under any of the masters level degree programs, other than electives. No more than one sixth (16.66%) of a degree plan may be completed via advanced standing examinations. We charge a fee of $30 per credit hour for each exam administered, regardless of whether the student passes the exam.

Distance Learning

Q. Why is distance learning so popular?
A. Distance learning is popular because modern technology has enabled a level of student interaction with a professor and classmates in an environment that closely parallels the traditional classroom.

Q. Are distance learning programs as good as traditional, on-campus programs?
For the motivated student, distance-learning programs are an equally effective means of providing instruction.

Q. Will employers recognize degrees from distance learning seminaries or universities?
A. The recognition of any degree depends largely on the employer. A degree is worth what an employer judges it to be worth. Having stated that, distance learning has quickly become a standard teaching method across virtually every state and private university and seminary.

Q. Can distance-learning credits transfer to other colleges?
A. Transferring of any course credits, including distance-learning, depends entirely on the institution you might consider. Contact the school that you wish to receive transferred credits, to obtain their credit transfer policy.

Q. Are there any on-campus requirements to the GSoT degree programs?
A. The entire M.A.B.S. and M.Div. degrees may be earned entirely online or you may take any combination of online and on-campus courses required by your degree plan.

Degree Programs

Q. What degree programs are available?
A. Please see our Degree Programs page.

Q. Can I earn my entire degree online?
A. The M.A.B.S. and M.Div. degrees may by earned entirely online.

Q. Do you offer a bachelors degree?
A. No. All of our courses are at the graduate level.

Q. Will I be assigned a mentor?
Upon acceptance, each degree plan student is assigned a faculty mentor.

Q. How long does it take to complete the programs?
A. Generally, a full time course load will enable a student to finish the M.A.B.S. program in 2 years, the M.Div. program in 3 years, and the Th.M. program in 4 years. On average, full time students take anywhere from 6 to 10 credit hours per semester and part-time students take from 2 to 5 credit hours per semester. The amount of time to degree completion is up to the student, we encourage out students to take the courses at a pace that allows them to maintain a balanced life and stay engaged in their local church and community.

Q. Do I need to take courses in any particular order?
A. Generally, no. Some courses have prerequisites which are clearly stated in the course description in the course catalogue and on our website. The degree plans may have a suggested order for taking classes, but it may be impractical based on course offerings to take the courses in the exact order suggested. We generally recommend that Bible Study Methods (Hermeneutics) be taken as early as possible.

Q. Does GSOT supply my textbooks or do I buy them myself?
A. Textbooks are purchased by the student, and most books are available from a variety of physical and on-line sources.

Enrichment

Q. What is the difference between taking a class for enrichment and auditing a class?
A. There is no difference. It is the same thing.

Q. What is the difference between taking a class for enrichment and taking a class for credit?
A. If you take a class for enrichment, it cannot be counted towards a degree. An enrichment student has no obligation to complete any of the assigned course work, but may pick and choose what he/she may wish to do.

Q. Is there a way to turn an enrichment course into a credit course?
A. On or before the date and time of last class meeting, you may request that your registration be converted to credit rather than enrichment, provided that you have completed all of the course requirements for a credit student up to that date and time and that you submit payment at that time for the difference in tuition and fees. However, conversion of your registration for any particular course from enrichment to credit is at the discretion of the course professor. After a course is completed, it is too late to convert it from enrichment to credit.

Financial

Q. What does it cost to attend Grace School of Theology?

Tuition: Credit tuition is currently $100 per credit hour, and enrichment tuition is currently $50 per credit hour. Most classes are three credit hours. Hence, tuition for a three credit hour course is $300 for credit or $150 for enrichment.

Q. Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
A. Limited scholarships are available. Also, in some circumstances, we will allow installment payment plans. If you are interested, please submit a request for financial assistance. Also, check out our Ambassador Program!

Q. Do your classes qualify for G.I. Bill reimbursement?
A. Classes at GSOT currently do not qualify for G.I. Bill reimbursement.

Q. What methods of payment do you accept? A. GSOT prefers eCheck, debit or credit card payment via VISA or MasterCard through our website. Payment by eCheck is the most cost effective for the ministry.

Foreign Students

Q. I live outside of the United States. Can I still become a student?
A. It is possible to take distance learning classes from any location in the world, provided you have internet access. We also welcome foreign students to come to The Woodlands and study on campus, but we are currently unable to sponsor foreign students for purposes of obtaining a student visa.

Q. Are any of the classes or degree programs offered in foreign languages?
A. All current courses and degree programs are taught, tested, and evaluated in English.

Q. Will my education be more expensive since I live outside of the United States?
A. All tuition is charged in US dollars regardless of where a class is taken. Therefore, depending upon the monetary exchange rate, your education may be lower or higher than if it were completed within the United States. The cost of obtaining and shipping books internationally may be higher — again, depending upon the location.

Accreditation Status

Q. What is the status of GSoT's accreditation?
A. Please review the Accreditation section of this website.