Policies
Enrollment
Interested students must complete their application packets by the following deadlines: October 1 (Fall term), January 1 (Winter term), and April 1 (Spring term).
Admission requires a completed Application for Admission, the non-refundable application fee and minimum educational requirements of a high school diploma or GED. Heritage Center for Religious Studies maintains an open admissions policy. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis and must be completed no later than the first day of the term in which the student plans to begin.
Students requesting consideration of the transfer of credit for previous ministry studies must have transcripts sent directly from the institution to Heritage Center.
Any prospective student considering enrollment in Heritage Center for Religious Studies is welcome to sit in a scheduled class session to become familiar with our academic environment. Class visitations must be scheduled in advance with the Heritage Center Administrative Office. Current students should not bring visitors to classes without prior approval by the Administrative Office.
Who Should Enroll?
Laity who are pursuing ministry as a profession but who desire more theological education to improve their ministry service.
Persons whose denominations require verification of theological training to receive a ministerial license.
Active clergy or laity considering ministry as a profession who do not possess an undergraduate degree.
Active clergy or laity possessing an undergraduate degree in a non-ministry field and who desire continuing education.
All who desire to attend.
Class Schedules & Instruction
Heritage Center for Religious Studies operates on a three term academic calendar. Each course provides 30 hours (1 unit) of classroom instruction. Seminars provide 15 hours (0.5 unit) of classroom instruction and are usually included in a two-part course sequence. Classes are held at Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan or electronically via zoom and are generally scheduled as follows:
Mondays and Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturdays: Intensive 6-week format, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Weekend intensive format: Fridays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Orientation & Advising
The Director of Administration and Academic Affairs (or other designee) is available to provide academic advising to students every term. Each student will participate in an initial session at the beginning of their program to discern ministry goals and program planning. The student is responsible for reviewing the Student Manual, being familiar with program requirements, and contacting the Director (or other designee) each term prior to registration.
Grading System
| A | 4.0 Excellent |
| A- | 3.7 Excellent |
| B+ | 3.3 Good |
| B | 3.0 Good |
| B- | 2.7 Good |
| C+ | 2.3 Average |
| C | 2.0 Average |
| C- | 1.7 Below Average |
| D+ | 1.3 Low Average |
| D | 1.0 Low Standard |
| D- | 0.7 Low Standard |
| F | 0.0 Fail |
| P | Pass |
| I | Incomplete |
| W | Withdrawal |
| AW | Administrative Withdrawal |
| AU | Audit |
Student grades are contained in a database on Third New Hope Baptist Church's computer server. The Director of Administration (or other designee) mails grade reports to students by the end of the first week of the following term via first class mail or electronic mail. Grade reports are not issued to students with delinquent financial obligations.
Due to matters of confidentiality, grades will not be reported by telephone or fax and should not be revealed to third parties.