PACE Program

PACE (Professional Adult Christian Education) is designed especially for learners who are balancing full-time commitments. 

Each PACE course meets one night a week for 6 weeks and students take one course at a time. Coursework emphasizes reflection and life experience instead of memory-based exams. Students can attend class in-person or online via Zoom.

Professional Studies Certificate

6 courses; 1 year
This program is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge, attitudes, and practices for the specialization of the student's choice: Biblical Studies, Business/Nonprofit, Counselling, or Pastoral Care.

Diploma of Christian Ministry

20 courses; 2 years
This diploma is designed for students seeking to develop lives of meaning, purpose, and faith. The goal is spiritual formation that shapes the heart, soul, mind, and body towards missional living that will change the world. Students will be able to choose a specialization of their choice: Biblical Studies, Business/Nonprofit, Counselling, or Pastoral Care.

Bachelor of Christian Ministry

40 courses; 4 years
This program is designed to prepare individuals for pastoral and educational leadership in Christian communities, as well as providing the basis for continuing higher education. Students will be able to choose a specialization of their choice: Biblical Studies, Business/Nonprofit, Counselling, or Pastoral Care.

Bachelor of Christian Ministry
(After Degree or Degree Completion)

20-30 courses; 2-3 years
This accelerated program is designed to prepare individuals with previous, qualifying post-secondary studies for pastoral and educational leadership in Christian communities, as well as providing the basis for continuing higher education.

Choose your ministry specialization:

Biblical Studies

For those who want to dive deeply into God's word

Business/
Nonprofit

For those who want to develop leadership and planning skills to lead organizations that make a difference

Counselling

For those who want to provide compassionate and informed psychological and spiritual care

Pastoral Care

For those who want to minister to others in the church and beyond

PACE Program

Tech Requirements

Alberta Bible College’s PACE program is offered both in-person and online. Course assignments and interactions take place in both formats. To be successful, students must have access to a laptop computer, word processing and presentation software, and high-speed internet connection (available on campus). Online students are expected to attend class via Zoom with their camera on to be counted as present.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

For detailed information, check the Academic Calendar

PACE is designed to meet the unique educational needs of adults who…

  • Are highly motivated to earn their degree or diploma or to pursue a new career or ministry path

  • Wish to complete their degree or a diploma through a conveniently scheduled and accelerated program

  • Have the self-discipline to keep pace in an accelerated education program

  • Desire to study in an environment with supportive Christian faculty

Students in the PACE program will be able to:

  • Attend class one evening per week
  • Study in a seminar format that encourages discussion, interaction, and collaborative learning
  • Build cohesive community as they attend classes together either in-person or online
  • Be prepared, upon successful completion of the Bachelor’s degree, for graduate study

The Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree require 3 credits of Practicum. The purpose of Practicum is to:

  • Develop skills by serving in situations that require application of classroom learning

  • Strengthen communication skills

  • Explore and develop areas of expertise that will be valuable for personal, career and ministry opportunities

There are 3 semesters in the PACE academic year:

  • Fall semester September – December,
  • Winter semester January – April,
  • Spring/Summer semester April – August (break in July)

An appeal for a change of final grade or assignment mark must be made in writing to the Academic Dean within four weeks of receiving official notification of the grade/mark.

Students at ABC are expected to complete their academic work with academic integrity that reflects their growing maturity in Christ.

If the Academic Dean and the faculty are satisfied that the student is guilty of academic dishonesty, the normal penalty will be failure of the course and academic probation. If a student is found guilty of further academic dishonesty, the student may be placed on administrative probation or administrative suspension.

A student may repeat a course in which a low grade was received. (Usually only an “F” or “D” grade would cause a student to repeat a class.) The following conditions apply:

  • A course may be repeated once without faculty approval. Repeating a course a second time requires the permission of the Academic Dean and instructor.

  • The highest grade will be used in calculating the cumulative GPA.

  • The lower grade(s) will remain on the transcript, but will not be used in calculating the cumulative GPA.

Students who choose to withdraw from a course must complete a Course Withdrawal Form with the Registrar. This form must be completed and signed by the student, as well as the instructor of the course.

Students are responsible for full course tuition and fees unless they withdraw seven (7) days prior to the start date of the course. No refunds are available after that date. Textbooks and materials are not refundable.

ABC believes that class attendance and participation are required to adequately meet identified learning outcomes.

Students are expected to attend at least 80% of the time; for PACE students this means four out of five weeks. Students with more than a 20% absentee rate (2 or more unexcused class sessions) in a course may receive a failing grade and will be required to repeat the course.

Weekly assignments are due by 6:00 p.m. on the day the class meets. A penalty of 3 to 5% per day is applied to all late assignments.

Due to the compressed nature of a PACE course, extensions are not given for weekly assignments, except in extenuating circumstances. In those rare circumstances, see the Academic Dean.

On rare occasions, extensions may be given for the final exam. While the initiative to request an extension rests with the student, the approval for granting an extension is at the discretion of the professor. Completion of a Request for Extension Form must be handed in. 

Because of the accelerated nature of the PACE program, Incompletes are not granted except for compassionate reasons.

Students who are granted an Incomplete are counselled to not register for the next course because of the required pre-session studies.

Individuals desiring to transfer credit courses to their programs must have transcripts sent directly from the institution where course credit was received. 

Previous studies at the undergrad level may qualify students for the After Degree or Degree Completion options available for the Bachelor of Christian Ministry (PACE) and Bachelor of Christian Studies (College) program.

For more information on transferring in, click here.

For students entering the Bachelor of Christian Ministry program with less than 60 credit hours of transfer credit, additional credit may be received through the Credit by Demonstrated Competency process.

CDC requires preparation of a portfolio documenting specific work, activities, and life experience and then describing the learning gained through these experiences. 

The Credit by Demonstrated Competency fee is $100 per credit hour.  Contact the Academic Dean for information.

ABC PACE Program

English Language Proficiency

All applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) equal to or exceeding one of the following unless admitted under conditional acceptance:

  • 60% in Alberta English 30-1 or equivalent
  • Duolingo English Test – 120 overall with no component less than 90
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – 70 with no band less than 60
  • Canadian Language Benchmark: Listening, Level 8; Reading, Level 8; Writing, Level 8
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – 60 in all skills
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT – 90 with no section less than 21
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper-based – 560
  • WAEC (West African Examinations Council) English Score – C5
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