Transfer Students
Frequently, students who apply to CMT desire to transfer university credits for courses they took before at other schools. Students who have successfully completed theological and ministry courses in the past with other credible schools are welcome to present their transcripts to see if these credits can be recognized by CMT. Our CMT university accepts credits from other schools based upon the merit of the courses taken and the credibility of those schools, and providing the subjects meet the standards of CMT and are similar or equivalent to courses in the CMT Curriculum. CMT is strictly a theological education institution, so credits for training in secular fields may not be eligible for transfer. Students may be required to take an entrance exam and be interviewed by CMT Staff to judge their readiness to enrol in CMT. The decision to admit students and whether credits from another school are transferable is solely at the discretion of CMT.
Bridging Courses
Transfer students with considerable ministry experience, but who feel they lack a complete Bible college training, may be eligible to take advantage of CMT Bridging Courses. The purpose of these Bridging Courses is to help students “bridge the gap” of knowledge in a particular area to meet CMT’s standards. Students who desire to enter a CMT course sometimes need some extra pre-enrollment learning in order to meet the prerequisites of that course. This procedure made be deemed necessary if they wish to have CMT accept their prior learning and have those credits entered into their CMT transcript.
CMT students who have taken Certificate Level or Diploma Level courses may desire to advance into the Bachelor's Degree Level. These students may be required to take some Bridging Courses and an entrance exam to meet the higher expectations of this level.
Credit for Learning by Experience (CLE)
Mature servants of God with years of preaching and teaching experience may also be able to apply, on a case-by-case basis, to have a portion of their personal, academic-level studies in the Scriptures converted into college credits with our School. This Center for Ministerial Training program is called Credit for Learning by Experience (CLE).
Credit for Learning by Experience (CLE) refers to academic credit granted by CMT for learning experiences that have occurred in non-traditional settings, such as in workplace or ministry situations where knowledge was gained and skills developed. It may have taken place through serious personal study or attendance at workshops or conferences. These kinds of learning are particularly valuable if they occurred under the guidance of mentors or supervisors.
Center for Ministerial Training has embraced a growing trend among respected universities across the world of placing value on non-traditional learning. Through our CLE program, CMT students are encouraged to apply to have their previous experience evaluated to see if some of it can be converted to academic credit.
Obviously, not all life-learning is at the academic level of university courses, but some definitely could be. If the quality of this non-formal learning can be duly substantiated and corroborated by evidence, then the possibility exists for CMT to convert a portion of it into academic credit. Currently, CMT offers a maximum of 25% of the total 120 credits required for an undergraduate Bachelor degree to be earned through prior Learning by Experience. In rare cases CMT may increase the amount of non-formal credits earned beyond 25%, depending on the breadth and depth of a student’s experience. The non-formal learning must be evaluated to be roughly equivalent to knowledge gained through courses that are listed in the CMT curriculum catalog. For this to happen, students must fulfill other requirements, such as the preparation of an extensive Learning by Experience Portfolio, interviews with CMT staff, and the payment of school fees.
What is a CLE Portfolio?
Students with prior history of significant life and ministry experience and scholarly study of God's Word may qualify them to challenge a course or subject area. These students develop a carefully documented Portfolio which is assessed by our School to determine if the quality and appropriateness of this experiential knowledge can be considered as functionally equivalent to college credit. Testing may be required to validate hours of credit. In preparing a portfolio, students must follow the School's guidelines in compiling, categorizing, and documenting in detail all information pertaining to course or subject areas the student wishes to be considered for credit. An autobiographical resume is also included. The information contained in the student portfolio is kept on file by the School for accreditation purposes.
Students who wish to be given CMT credit for prior ministerial and life experience may be required to take CMT Bridging Courses in certain subject areas to round out their knowledge and to be CMT course standards.