Church Partnership Program

B L U E F I E L D C O L L E G E CHURCH PARTNERSH I P PROGRAM

PARTNER WITH

BLUEFIELD COLLEGE

TO TRAIN

MISSIONAL-MINDED

SERVANTS OF CHRIST.

BECOME A BLUEFIELD COLLEGE CHURCH PARTNER.

EXCITEMENT REIGNS AT BLUEFIELD COLLEGE.

• Our faculty are designing cutting-edge degree programs with innovations made possible by our new and expanding facilities.

• Bluefield athletic programs are competing for conference and national titles.

• Most importantly, our staff and faculty are pouring their lives into our students as these eager young believers deepen their love for Christ, increase their knowledge of Him, and prepare to change the world.

JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY.

Our flexible and affordable church partner program lets us come alongside world-class churches and ministry leaders who want to galvanize the next generation for kingdom service. Bluefield College can be a vital resource for churches who desire an accredited academic foundation that complements the quality of their hands-on ministry training.

WHY PARTNER WITH BLUEFIELD?

Bluefield College offers a unique, church-based church partner program through which students can earn an accredited degree .

The program employs nontraditional course delivery and onsite ministry practicum experience to extend Bluefield’s mission by offering an affordable, experiential- based learning program that capitalizes on Bluefield’s strong curriculum as well as the unique mission of each local church.

Through a mutual partnership , the college and the church facilitate a learning experience blending coursework and practicum opportunities during the fall and spring semesters.

Students graduate with a quality,

regionally accredited degree that

enhances their future church and ministry opportunities.

COST

$6,600 .................Annual tuition fee $2,500 ......Average annual site fee (reimbursed to site) $200 ............ Annual technology fee $9,300 ........... Total cost to student

HERE’S WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE: Experiential learning Academic integrity Degree centered on missional DNA Collaboration to establish church-based internships and develop on-campus opportunities

HERE’S WHAT IT CAN MEAN FOR YOU: Visibility, affordability, accessibility

Regional accreditation Financial aid eligibility Relational synergy Teamwork to fulfill our mutual scriptural mandate

$6,600 Annual tuition fee $2,500 Average annual site fee (reimbursed to site) $200 Annual technology fee

$9,300 Total cost to student

A CHURCH PARTNER EDUCATION IS AFFORDABLE.

Bluefield College offers the church-based site program at a reduced tuition rate . During the 2017-2018 academic year, tuition is $275 per credit hour. So a full-time student pays $3,300 per semester for 12 credit hours (or $6,600 annually for 24 credit hours). An optional site fee of $1,260 per semester (or $2,520 annually) may be charged to the student as well, which is reimbursed to the site to cover various expenses. Students also pay a $100 technology fee each semester. These fees are collected by Bluefield College. The church partner may charge (and must collect) additional fees for housing, mission trips, or other approved activities. Other expenses like textbooks, computers, travel, and supplies are assumed by the student.

Sites can receive a scholarship of $6,600 per year.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.

Since Bluefield College is a regionally accredited institution, students enrolled in its church partner programs can receive federal financial aid. To be eligible, all they have to do is file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Bluefield’s school code 003703, and maintain 12 credit hours per semester. Federal aid is offered in the form of Pell Grants, federal Stafford loans, or federal parent loans. But there’s more. For every 40 students enrolled at a particular church partner, Bluefield will award one scholarship equal to the amount of tuition for 24 credit hours (12 credit hours per semester). For the 2017-2018 academic year, that amount would total $6,600. The site has the option to award the scholarship to a single student or divide the scholarship between a maximum of two students for the year ($3,300 each). Either way, the awards are distributed over the course of two semesters.

IT’S ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS.

At its core, Bluefield’s church-based program is designed to prepare individuals for a lifetime of service and leadership in the local church. Students will receive comprehensive ministry training that combines academic rigor with experiential learning via onsite ministry experience. Academic programs include: • Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership (BAML) • Associate of Ministry Leadership (AML) • Associate of Science (AS) in General Studies Students take four classes ( 12 credit hours ) per semester and earn one additional credit hour when they take the science lab. An additional three hours of practicum ( onsite ministry experience ) credit are granted each semester at no charge. While Bluefield College establishes practicum requirements and expectations, the practicums are facilitated within the various ministry Sites that offer the BSML also may offer several minor options.

ministry experience. Students are required to properly document and substantiate their experience to receive academic credit.

Total credit hours per year ( excluding any summer coursework ): approximately 30

Students complete their studies with a cohort of fellow learners on either a two-year or four-year track. Transfer students are granted substitutions via Bluefield’s online programs.

BAML

Bachelor of Art in Ministry Leadership Meets many ministerial credentialing requirements, students will earn a full degree with an optional minor

AML

AS

areas of the church. The goal? To provide hands-on, practical

Associate of Ministry Leadership Foundational ministry skills to satisfy credentialing requirements

Associate of Science Core learning transferable to a four-year baccalaureate degree

What determines the delivery model at a particular church partner?

IT’S CONVENIENT.

Bluefield’s church partnership program offers two educational delivery models for maximum flexibility: online and hybrid.

The number of students enrolled:

The online format lets students complete coursework in a non-classroom setting with no set times or meeting spaces. Students work independently in a collaborative electronic format with assistance from a qualified instructor. The hybrid format builds on the foundation of the online learning program by supplementing online coursework with face-to-face interaction. Students are expected to complete all assignments within the online course as well as attend all face-to-face sessions.

Fully Online 15–19 students

Hybrid (online + face-to-face) 20+ students

Where necessary, the local church may hire facilitators to assist with higher-order subjects such as mathematics, English composition, and biblical hermeneutics.

IT’S TOP-TIER.

Regardless of the delivery model, church partner courses are facilitated through a structured curriculum which serves as Bluefield’s control mechanism. Courses are designed by qualified faculty who are scholars in their fields and who actually do what they teach. Online courses are then reviewed and edited for accuracy and overall quality by our online course design team. Once a course is developed and approved, all future instructors adhere to the established template for the course, thus ensuring consistent quality and uniformity of content and delivery.

ONLY A WORLD-CLASS FACULTY WILL DO.

The effectiveness of the church partner program is directly proportional to the quality of instructor facilitation. Therefore, Bluefield goes to great lengths to identify, vet, approve, and train qualified faculty to serve as instructors for each course. If a site employs a purely online model, it may have the opportunity to nominate individuals to serve as online instructors. However, priority will be given to existing full-time and adjunct faculty. When some or all courses are delivered face-to-face, Bluefield will hire individuals who: • possess a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 credit hours in the teaching discipline. • submit a hiring packet, including a resumé and all academic transcripts, to the Bluefield campus for vetting and approval.

Occasionally the college may send a member of its full-time faculty for an intensive session at the site.

SO LET’S LAUNCH A NEW SITE.

3. Leadership Team Approval | The prospective site is presented to the leadership team by the vice president for enrollment management & student development. Pending approval, a formal Church Partnership Agreement is articulated and presented to the church for authorization. 4. Church Approval | The agreement is reviewed and approved by the governing board of the local church (if applicable), or the lead pastor. Pending approval, the legal officer of the church signs the document and returns a physical copy to the college.

An church partner relationship with Bluefield College is a mutual partnership between the college and the local church. Therefore, special attention is given to ensure that all aspects of the partnership are legally and academically sound. The establishment of a new site entails the following milestones and tasks:

1. Initial Contact | A dialog between a church and Bluefield College commences with a mutual connection and an initial conversation.

2. Site Visit | Next, Bluefield sends a small team to connect with the church, tour the facilities, and hear the vision for the program.

5. Accreditation and Governmental Approval | Office of Distant & Online Education works with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the appropriate governmental agencies to ensure that the local site is approved both academically and legally. 6. Site Director Selection | At successful and growing sites, the church dedicates one individual who commits a significant portion of time to marketing, recruiting, admitting, and assisting students through the various stages of their academic tenure. These individuals work with Bluefield College to facilitate the student experience. 7. Site Director and Staff Training | Early each spring, Bluefield College facilitates training for new and existing church partner coordinators held on Bluefield’s campus. Lodging and meals are provided for up to two approved representatives from the site. Bluefield also provides instructional and technical training for church partner faculty and best practices training for individuals serving as facilitators. 8. Marketing and Student Recruitment | Sites coordinate local promotional and recruitment activities. All marketing (brochures, websites, advertisements, etc.) that incorporates Bluefield College branding must be reviewed and approved by Bluefield’s marketing department prior to publication. For digital files or marketing questions,

contact Chris Shoemaker , the church partner marketing coordinator, by phone at 276.326.4212 or by email at cshoemaker@bluefield.edu . For recruiting and admission questions, contact Michael White , Bluefield’s church partner development officer, by phone at 276.326.4217 or by email at michael.white@bluefield.edu . 9. Site Launch | At the beginning of the fall semester, all courses are created, faculty are assigned, students are registered, practicum documentation is submitted, and courses begin. At that point, a student orientation should take place as an introduction to the program. Depending on the delivery model, a site visit may be conducted after the start of the program.

BC STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM

David Olive, D.Jur., M.Div. President Having over 25 years of experience in higher education, the majority of which in Christian higher education, David Olive is in his 11th year in serving as president of Bluefield College. Accomplishments at the College include the construction of new residential facilities and renovation of others, along with launching new health sciences programs and new Master’s degree programs. Dr. Marshall Flowers VP for Academic Affairs & Athletics Dr. Marshall Flowers came to Bluefield in the summer of 2015, as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Athletics. Now in his 40th year of administrative leadership in Christ-centered higher education, he has served the last 29 years as a chief academic officer, spearheading innovative academic development. Ruth Blankenship M.A. VP for Finance, Administration and Advancement Ruth has served Bluefield College for 18 years and is a graduate of Emory & Henry College with a B.S. and is a graduate of Virginia Tech with an M.A. in Accounting. She has served on numerous local and state boards including the Southwest Virginia Workforce Investment Board.

Michael White M.A. VP for Enrollment Management & Student Development Mr. White came to Bluefield in the fall of 2017. He served as Vice President of University Relations & Enrollment at North Central University (MN) and Executive Director of Non-traditional Enrollment at Southeastern University (FL). He has successfully grown enrollments at faith- based institutions in dual, traditional, graduate, and online segments. Additionally, he has 10 years of student development background with expertise in service-learning, spiritual formation, and student leadership. . Dr. Patricia Neely Dean for Online and Distant Education Dr. Neely earned an ED.D. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Averett University. Prior to joining Bluefield College, Dr. Neely worked as a consultant specializing in the development of competency-based programs. In the past, she held leadership positions at Western Governors University, Kaplan University, and Old Dominion University. Dr. Neely lives with her family in Richlands, Virginia.