Early Christianity · Online
Policies for Early Christianity students
The rules for earning your certificate, how this program works, and the institutional policies that apply to every Berean student.
Advanced Certificate Rules
Earning your certificate
Berean Institutes is an independent, unaccredited institution. It awards Advanced Certificates of verified competency, not degrees. These rules apply to every Advanced Certificate program, including Early Christianity.
- Requirements
- Complete every required course with a grade of C or better, finish with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, and meet the Academic Integrity and Student Conduct policies. Read the rule
- Transfer credit
- Coursework from another institution may satisfy up to one-third of the program. At least two-thirds must be completed at Berean. Read the rule
- Time limit
- On any pace, complete the program within three years of your first course. Read the rule
- Repeating a course
- You may repeat a required course in which you earned below a C. The later grade replaces the earlier one. Read the rule
- Academic standing
- A cumulative grade point average below 2.0 places you on probation for your next term. If it stays below 2.0, you may be dismissed. Read the rule
- Leave and withdrawal
- You may take a leave of up to one year by telling admissions first. More than a year without a course or an approved leave means applying again. To withdraw, contact admissions in writing. Read the rule
- Verification and transcripts
- Each certificate carries an identifier and QR code that lead to its public verification record. Request transcripts from your student profile or the Contact page. Read the rule
Program rules
How this program works
- Core curriculum
- Complete all eleven required courses (33 credits) and meet Berean’s general graduate academic and completion standards. There are no accelerated or self-paced pathways for this program. See the required courses
- Ancient languages
- Full reading fluency is not presumed. You receive guided attention to Greek, Hebrew/Aramaic, Latin, and Syriac terminology and translation-sensitive passages when language affects historical interpretation. See the FAQ
- Period covered
- The program runs from the Jewish and Mediterranean background of Christian origins through the fifth-century conciliar and imperial world, culminating with Chalcedon in 451. See the FAQ
- Delivery
- The program is delivered online through structured historical study, primary-source analysis, critical scholarship, and evidence-based writing. See the FAQ
- Grades
- Final course grades are A (90–100%, 4.0 points), B (80–less than 90%, 3.0), C (70–less than 80%, 2.0), D (60–less than 70%, 1.0), or F (below 60%, 0.0). Berean does not use plus/minus grades. To complete a program, earn C or better in each required course and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. GPA equals total grade points multiplied by each course’s credits, divided by total graded credits. A displayed rounded GPA does not change the underlying completion decision. See the grade requirements
- Refunds
- Request withdrawal through Contact Berean within 14 calendar days of enrolling and before submitting graded work to receive a full tuition refund. Your request date determines eligibility, not the date we finish reviewing it. After that window, or once graded work has been submitted, tuition already paid for the current or completed term is not refundable. Withdrawal cancels future scheduled tuition payments. We return prepaid tuition attributable to terms that have not started. Required course materials included in tuition are not charged separately. We confirm your refund amount, cancelled payments and access end date in writing. If Berean cancels instruction it cannot provide, we refund the undelivered portion. Your statutory rights remain unchanged. Contact Berean · Refund & Withdrawal Policy · See tuition and fees
- Complaints and appeals
- Appeals of academic integrity and conduct decisions follow those policies. For any other concern, write to admissions; you will receive a written answer. Integrity appeals · Conduct appeals
Policy documents
Institutional policies
The full policies that apply to every Berean student.
Academic
- Advanced Certificate RulesAdmission, requirements, grades, transfer credit, time limit, standing, leave, verification, and transcripts.
- Academic IntegrityWhat honest academic work means, what counts as a violation, and what happens when one occurs.
- Student ConductStandards of conduct for students and applicants, and how concerns are reported, reviewed, and appealed.
- Academic CalendarCohort start dates, deadlines, and Preview Weeks.
Tuition and aid
- TuitionBerean’s tuition and fee schedule.
- Tuition & Payment PolicyWhen tuition is due, how payment plans work, what happens if a payment fails, and which fees apply.
- Refund & Withdrawal PolicyWhen you can get your tuition back, how to withdraw or take a leave, and how refunds are paid.
- Financial AssistanceTuition waivers, grants, and scholarships, who qualifies, and how to be considered.
Enrollment and records
- Student Terms / Enrollment AgreementThe agreement between you and Berean when you enroll in a certificate program: what you get, what you agree to, and how it ends.
- Student Records PolicyWhich records Berean keeps, who may see them, how to see or correct yours, transcripts, and how long records are kept.
- Student Location PolicyWhich states Berean enrolls students from, how Berean knows where you live, the card check, and what happens if you move.
Privacy, access, and site use
- Privacy PolicyHow Berean collects, uses, protects, and shares the information you give us.
- Accessibility StatementBerean’s accessibility standard, other formats, and how to request an accommodation.
- Terms of UseThe terms for using Berean’s website and online services.
- Acceptable Use PolicyThe rules for using Berean accounts, courses, the Library, the Public Forum, and every other online service.
Questions about a policy?
Email admissions@bereaninstitutes.org. Expect a reply within two business days.