Online Learning Experience

Vanguard College Online, is fully accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). The Government of Alberta has granted the College the privilege of granting degrees in divinity. As an accredited ABHE College, you can transfer all relevant courses to and from another ABHE accredited college. The government's regulation permits online students to access student loans.

Nearly all credible Bible colleges and universities in North America seek accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). This sought-after accreditation ensures that programs and courses meet the stringent guidelines set by ABHE. ABHE has to be satisfied that our courses, programs, and instructors meet or exceed the quality of other members of ABHE. All relevant courses completed through Vanguard College Online are fully transferable to other ABHE schools.

Vanguard College is part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and our degree and diploma graduates meet the requirements for ministerial credentials after completing their programs. In addition, other denominations recognize almost all of our courses and may require their ministers to take just a few additional denomination-related courses.

Related courses from accredited Bible colleges and secular colleges and universities may qualify for transfer credits. In addition, credits may be awarded for related life and ministry experiences. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to study with any ATS or ABHE Graduate School or Seminary.

Students may contact the Registrar to inquire.

Vanguard College has several scholarships and awards which online students can access. In addition, all our certificate, diploma and degree programs qualify for student financing. Online students applying for the first time that enroll in full-time studies are eligible for Entering Student Scholarships. Returning students will be notified by the Vanguard Online Director if they qualify for a Returning Student Scholarship.

For information on Entering Student Scholarships click this link: Scholarships & Bursaries

Our online programs enjoy some of the highest successful completion rates in the distance learning field. On average, 91.2% of all courses were completed successfully.

Students who serve in their home community are often hired while studying or placed before they graduate

Vanguard Online has a team of adjunct professors who are available to students one-to-one. Students do not study in isolation but have the support from their professors and the College. Each course has its own professor who is qualified in their areas with several of them currently serving in pastoral roles. This blend of academics and practice help ensure our instructors know their students and interact with them in a caring and compassionate way.

You can start on the 15th of any month. Your first course will be an Orientation to Online Learning course if you have never taken any online courses before and then you are get started on your regular courses. You must pass the Orientation course with a grade of 60% to continue. Please note that in order to allow processing time, you usually will need to be registered for a course by the 8th of the month in order to start on the 15th. The Orientation course is not covered by student loans.

If you do not wish to study full-time you are advised to take one course at a time through Open Studies.

If you decide to start with open studies, you have the option to complete up to five courses before you will be asked to register in a certificate, diploma or degree.

Please Note: Online students are required to take an Orientation to Online Learning course before starting their online studies.

An online course has a different "feel" than a traditional college course. Many college courses ask you to read a textbook or two, write some papers and a few examinations and you are done. At Vanguard Online, we teach from an experiential learning model. You can expect to connect with content and then complete a number of smaller tasks and activities with the content throughout the course. Learning is progressive and builds upon previous learning with skill-based activities. You will need to do about 6-10 hours of work per week.

No. Vanguard Online courses are designed so that the student can work independently and do not have to wait for other students to post in a forum or work on projects together. Student can work at the time of day and day of the week that works best for their schedule to complete their learning modules and assignments. Some courses have audio or video resources that can be viewed when the student is ready to see hear or see them.

We built our curriculum to include the opportunity for practical experience in your local church or para-church organization every semester. Our practicum courses are the "classroom" accompaniment to 4-6 hours a week of volunteer work that each student is required to perform per semester.

No. Students can use a MAC or PC or Tablet with a word processor. We ask that students upload their assignments in MS Word format. We use a learning management platform (Populi) that students can log into from any device. There is free app for mobile devices available through Google Play and the Apple Store.