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ABOUT MIAMI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

COURSES AND DEGREES VIA THE INTERNET

The advent of the Internet has expanded the opportunities in Biblical education for many who do not have the option of attending classes on campus, or who may simply wish to complete their coursework in the privacy of their own residence using their computer and Internet connection. The Internet is easily accessible in many areas of the world, including areas where no Bible colleges or Christian universities even exist.

Miami Christian University, operated by the Christ Life Center (Miami, FL), is a state-authorized (unaccredited) educational institution offering theological degrees through the doctoral level. The studies offered by Miami Christian University are not in competition with the secular field of training or employment. MCU was established to train men and women of God and equip them with the tools necessary to be mature, productive, and functioning parts of the local Body of Christ.

MCU was founded in 1983 as the Miami Bible Institute by Rev. Rick L. Patterson, Th.D., to serve the needs of those who are not able to take time off to pursue a Bible College degree, but are still seeking a more intense level of Biblical knowledge than can be offered by a local church. Our physical facilities, consisting of classrooms and administrative offices, are located at 9775 SW 87 Ave., Miami FL 33176. Through the advent of the Internet, however, we see the potential for a whole new era in biblical studies via distance education.

Our goal in education is not the mere accumulation of dates, lists, and facts, which all may be readily found in a proper resource book. Instead, we seek to train and disciple "Daniels", who have an extraordinary spirit of knowledge and insight. Today, Miami Christian University hopes to serve not only Christians seeking full degree programs, but also Christians who would like a deeper understanding of God's Word. Therefore, any Christian seeking greater knowledge of the Bible is encouraged to enroll.

We have built a team of dedicated Christians to work with you as you move through your theology program(s). We will do everything that we can to help you become the person God has created you to be.

The following Mission Statement sums up our desire to assist you as you grow in spiritual maturity:

We exist to educate, equip, and validate those pursuing a deeper knowledge of God and their relationship to Him. We accomplish these goals by providing relevant biblical studies to those engaged in a journey toward Christian maturity.

MCU Internet courses consist mostly of directed independent study, where the student simply takes courses without traveling to a physical classroom. Most of our courses involve you, the provided study guide, and a Bible with some other basic resources -- such as a Bible Dictionary and Bible Handbook. We include the Theophilus Bible software program with each theology course that will give you much of what you need, although we also recommend several Bible software programs and theological library CD-ROMs that can be purchased in our online store. Completed assignments and tests are emailed in and graded by an MCU instructor. Students are encouraged to complete each course within 3-5 weeks.

The Bible is our textbook. The studies are time-intensive and cannot be completed quickly. The idea is not to just "get it over with" but to allow the text to speak to you and equip you for ministry.

With MCU's "rolling registration" process, the Internet student may begin a course at any time throughout the year. There is no "minimum classroom experience" requirement for the Internet program, and a graduating Internet student may participate with our other students in our annual commencement exercises, should he or she choose to attend.

The possibilities are expanding very rapidly with the Internet, and MCU is committed to keeping pace with continuing advances in areas such as video and audio capabilities, multiconferencing, and webcasting. The Lord has created these tools to be used for the advancement of His kingdom, and MCU is in the vanguard of this move of God.

Miami Christian University is authorized to operate and grant degrees by the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education, (850) 245-3200, under Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f). Its purpose is to prepare students for religious vocations as ministers, professionals, or laypersons in the category of theology. MCU is exempt from licensure and the jurisdiction or purview of the commission pursuant to F.S. 1005.06(1)(f); as an unaccredited theological institution, MCU accepts no governmental grants or financial aid. MCU does not currently provide any scholarships. As non-traditional students, MCU students are often ineligible for many traditional scholarships, such as those listed on websites dedicated to helping students find aid; however, seeking scholarships and aid through private businesses and organizations is a good alternative. In addition, we recommend that you visit Scholarship Experts today to start your scholarship search.

Students desiring to transfer MCU credits to other colleges may contact that college to determine if that particular college will receive MCU credits. Our school is willing to make contact with the Dean's Office of any college to which one of our students is transferring in order to help facilitate that transfer. As Florida statutes note, transfer of credits from this institution to other institutions is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Although it is possible that MCU's programs may fulfill particular local, state, or national licensing or credential requirements, or serve as a base for future education, students are strongly advised to review all prerequisite requirements for any future personal development prior to enrolling. In addition, while not a prerequisite for admission, international students desiring local governmental acceptance of MCU degree programs are again strongly encouraged to contact their individual National Ministry of Education prior to enrollment. MCU does not grant ordination certification or ministerial licensing, and there is no relationship of MCU's programs to state licensure requirements for practicing related occupations or professions in Florida or elsewhere.

Although MCU does not license or ordain ministers, its parent church, the Christ Life Center, does provide ministerial license and ordination certification. If you are seeking ordination or licensure, students of Miami Christian University who have completed the 32-credit "Pastoral Ministry" certificate program are pre-qualified to apply for a Ministerial License, or to take the CLC Ordination Exam to receive official ordination.

Students who wish to take liberal arts courses in order to transfer course credits to accredited institutions may enroll in the "CLEP" courses offered by our affiliated institution, InstantCert Academy. Approximately 2,900 colleges and universities will grant college credits for each test. Both U.S. and international schools grant CLEP credit. CLEP tests are primarily multiple-choice exams (though some include fill-in or ordering questions, and one English Composition exam has an essay section) which are scored on a scale from 20 to 80. The majority of schools grant credit for a score of 50 or higher. To enroll in these accredited liberal arts courses, click here.

MCU is committed to the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. We are interdenominational and charismatic in nature. We subscribe to the basic truths of evangelical Christianity, as found in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only Infallible, authoritative Word of God; there is one eternal, almighty and perfect God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal return in power and in glory; that, for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential; in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life; in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation; in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that by grace we are saved, not of works, lest any man should boast.

MCU is under the direct leadership of Christ Life Center and its board of ruling elders, which handle all student complaints, disciplinary actions, and appeals.

Of course, MCU is not limited in enrollment to only members of Christ Life Center; we desire to become the theological training center for all churches in South Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and now via the Internet, for Christians all over the world.