Ministry Experience Program 

We are now pleased to offer an Experiential Learning/Life Experience Program for those interested in Ames Christian University who have accrued transferable credits and many years of ministry experience. This new option will be substituted for the 22 AISOM courses and will be a compilation of students’ complete ministry history and experience as well as any transferable coursework from other colleges and/or universities. Tuition for this program is a $450.00 Life Experience Credit fee which will accompany a student “resume” which is an in-depth and extensive portfolio of all documented, acquired and demonstrated learning.  Acceptance of a Life Experience resume will be determined from all past transcripts that are received, validated and approved by ACU.  

Additionally, students will then be required to take 11 concentration courses at ACU to then complete the Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree within the selected concentration.  

The Life Experience Portfolio requirements are as follows: 

1)     The student will create a Life Experience Portfolio (an extensive resume of at least 10 years ministry experience) completely documenting all past ministry experience in chronological order.  Also for the purposes of evaluation, ‘unofficial’ copies of all transcripts will initially be acceptable and must accompany the portfolio. Once accepted, ACU will need the official transcripts from the schools where they were earned. 

2)     Student will if enrolled at AISOM contact us  by e-mail to inform our staff that a portfolio is being prepared and that they desire to be a candidate for this program.

3)     Once your portfolio is received and approved and the tuition is paid,   Students will be notified by e-mail and will then receive information on enrolling at ACU.

4)     If for some reason, the portfolio is not acceptable, we will endeavor to work with students to re-write your resume (your portfolio presentation) so that we can approve it or will substitute AISOM courses to equal the requirements.

5)     Once your paperwork has been approved and you have been notified you will at that time come back to this page or the payment page to pay your fee.  

     Please Download the ACU Experiential Learning Policy this will explain how to prepare your portfolio.

FAQ 

Will I be receiving a certificate and transcript from AISOM as well as a degree from ACU?  No, you will be imm\ediately enrolling in the Bachelor’s program starting with 87 life experience (experiential learning) credits, and once you graduate from ACU you will have 120 credits and will be able to go on to our Master’s degree program if so desired. 

Will I receive credit for what I have done so far at AISOM if I have enough life experience to switch? Yes, the courses that you have taken at AISOM will be counted as will other transcripts for up to 87 credits. 

Will I receive credit for what I have paid thus far in the AISOM program? Yes, you will receive credit for what you have paid thus far, and you will just need to pay the difference to make up the $450.00.  

Are there any discounts for this fee?  No, there are no discounts on this fee as you are saving money by ACU waiving the $15.00 per credit fee.  

What if I paid the discount price of $340.00 upon enrollment? You will simply pay $110.00 if your paperwork is approved.  

If you are mailing your paperwork or check or money order mail them to:

Ames Christian University

6900 Daniels Parkway Suite 29-225

Fort Myers, FL 33912

Our Fax number is: (239) 645-4936 

To pay $450.00 online upon approval