Program Overview

The Accelerated Degree Completion Program is a set curriculum of 18 courses for students who need their third and fourth years of College and can attend class one night a week. This accelerated non-traditional program will allow such a student to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in just less than two years. Classes meet in a seminar type setting and are taken one at a time. Each class runs for five weeks, meets four hours one night a week and earns three semester hours credit.

The ideal student is at least 25 years of age with professional work experience and 60 semester hours of college credit. Usually that student has a family and must work full time while in the program. We will work with you to overcome the areas where you are lacking.

Who should consider this program?

• People who want to serve in a local church ministry or develop counseling skills from a biblical perspective
• People who wish to play a more significant volunteer role in their local church
• People who need a bachelor's degree regardless of the major offered

Program Benefits

If you enter into this program, you will be able to:

• Complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in twenty-three (23) months.
• Convert significant life experiences into college credit by documenting past training, work-related projects and competencies.
• Attend class only one evening each week while you continue with work schedules and family life.
• Improve communication, leadership skills and vocational effectiveness.
• Meet in a seminar format so that you can benefit from the varied experiences and ideas of other classmates.
• Attend small classes with the same students through the entire program in a manner that will develop group cohesiveness and an active network of associates.
• Receive individualized instruction and specific attention to problem areas of learning.
• Graduate from a Christian institution with a baccalaureate degree.
• Gain satisfaction and the financial rewards that go with it as you fulfill an educational goal.

Program Emphasis

The EXCEL Program is unique in many ways. First, the curriculum contains eighteen modular courses to be taken in sequence. The term, modular course, signifies the integrated nature of this curriculum. It is not a collection of independent courses but a unified curriculum where each course is taken in sequence. Each student will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree upon completion of the requirements for graduation. As students entering the program will likely have professional employment experience, the course of study will help them apply this practical experience in formal education for their greatest benefit.

At registration, you will receive a class schedule for the entire program. The classes meet one night each week from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM for 23 months. The schedule is planned to allow time for holidays and a brief summer vacation. You will register with the same group and move through the program with these people taking courses in sequence one at a time. Such groups registering together are called cohorts. The courses are scheduled over four semesters equaling 54 semester hours of credit. The curriculum is distributed in a series of Student Guides given to the students in electronic form with detailed assignments for each week.

Leadership & Ministry

Students who enter this program will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Leadership in Ministry. The courses in the Bible/Theology Core are: History of the Israelite Nation, Old Testament Poetry & Prophecy, Life of Christ, Acts, Paul’s New Testament Letters, General Epistles & Revelation, Biblical Worldview, Basic Bible Doctrine, Biblical Ethics, and Christian Faith in the 21st Century. The courses in the Leadership Core are: Goals, Priorities & Attitudes; Biblical Concepts of Leadership and Case Studies in Leadership. The courses in the Professional Core are: Communication Concepts; Essentials of Management; Understanding & Applying the Bible; Evangelism & Discipleship.

Christian Counseling

Students who enter this program will add to their Bible/theology Core courses chosen to enhance a minister’s skills used in his role as a counselor. Other students will complete this major hoping to proceed to graduate studies and a career in the counseling field.

The courses in the Biblical/Theology Core are: Life of Christ, Acts of the Apostles, Pauline Epistles, Biblical Worldview, Biblical Ethics and Understanding and Applying the Bible. The courses in the Christian Counseling major are: Biblical Foundations for Counseling, Introduction to Counseling, Counseling Theory, Crisis Counseling, Pre-Marital Counseling, Family and Marriage Counseling, Counseling Skills, Conflict Counseling, Counseling Practicum, Counseling the Sick & Dying, and Addiction Counseling.

Admission Criteria

The Program Director will grant full acceptance to the program of an application for admission once it has met all of the following criteria. Any exceptions will be considered by the Academic Committee of Louisville Bible College.

1. Completion of at least 50 semester hours of transferable work.
(Under 50 semester hours of transferable work will be considered under provisional and conditional acceptance. (See below.)
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better on all prior academic work.
3. Three acceptable references.
4. Official transcripts from all post-secondary academic work.
5. A recent photograph.
6. Completion of application materials and the payment of $15.00 non-refundable application fee.

Provisional and Conditional Acceptance

Applicants who are lacking certain documents or from a non-accredited or non-licensed institution may be granted Provisional standing. Applicants who appear to be deficient in admission requirements and are seeking an exception to one or more of the Criteria for Admission, may be granted a Conditional Acceptance for Admission. Each case will be reviewed by the Academic Committee which will use its discretion to determine the probability of the individual’s ability to benefit from the program. If, in the opinion of the committee, there is sufficient probability of ability to benefit, the student may be admitted conditionally. At the time of acceptance, applicants will be informed of any deficiencies in course work or other requirements that are lacking. The Program Director will advise the student of what is needed to fulfill the Graduation Requirements.

Admission Procedures

One who has become familiar with the EXCEL Program and has decided to apply should take the following steps:

1. Attend an information session or meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor.
2. Complete and turn in the application form with three recommendations.
3. Pay the $15.00 non-refundable application fee.
4. Send a transcript request form to each college or university previously attended. (Form available in Program Director’s office.) Check with the registrar from each institution for the appropriate transcript fee.
5. After transcript(s) have been received and evaluated, schedule an appointment with a Program Director who will evaluate your previous college work as it might apply toward the graduation requirements and estimate the number of hours you might earn through testing and the preparation of portfolio through the Credit by Demonstrated Competency process.
6. You will receive a Letter of Intent to sign, fill in your start date choice, and return along with a refundable $50.00 good faith tuition deposit.
7. Plan to attend registration night and each of the scheduled class nights in
the program.

Graduation Requirements

Believing there is a commonality of learning essential to enable the individual to function intelligently, Louisville Bible College seeks to provide those learning experiences through which the student will gain knowledge and develop skills requisite for abundant living.

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Ministry or with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling, you must complete the following requirements:

1. Complete 132 semester hours acceptable to Louisville Bible College with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. These semester hours include:

a. 54 semester hours in the EXCEL Program with a (cumulative) 2.0 grade for all courses.

b. 42 Semester Hours of Electives

c. 36 semester hours in the General Education Core of the College including:

English Composition 6 Semester Hours
Literature/Humanities 6 Semester Hours*
Communications 3 Semester Hours
Behavioral/Social Sciences 3 Semester Hours*
Natural Science 3 Semester Hours
History 9 Semester Hours**
Philosophy 5 Semester Hours
Computer Science 3 Semester Hours***

*Courses in the EXCEL Program may meet part of this requirement. For the Christian Counseling major this course must be an introductory course in psychology.

**A course in Restoration (Movement) must be part of this requirement.

***Students who can demonstrate a competency in computer use by testing or professional experience may take a general elective in its place.

2. All financial obligations to the College must be fulfilled.
3. Satisfy the Christian Service Requirements as described in the current Catalog.

A complete program guide including individual course descriptions, additional registration information, textbook information, and policies relating to the EXCEL program are available from the EXCEL program director’s office or LBC’s registrar’s office.

For further information contact: The EXCEL Office 502-231-5221.

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