BethelONLINE FAQs

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  1. What is Bethel ONLINE?

BethelONLINE is the distance/online learning platform through which Bethel Bible College of the Caribbean- Jamaica (BBCC-J) offers its courses and programmes. The main learning management systems (LMS) that the College uses to offer its courses and programmes online are MOODLE and Zoom.

 

  1. What programmes does BBCC-J offer online?

BBCC-J offers the following programmes online:

  • Certificate in Christian Ministry
  • Diploma in Theology
  • Bachelor of Theology (Minor in Guidance and Counselling)
  • Bachelor of Theology (no minor)

 

  1. What courses does BBCC-J offer online?

Bethel Bible College of the Caribbean-Jamaica currently offers all of its courses online via the hybrid modality. 

 

 

  1. What are the normal requirements to do an online course or programme at Bethel?

Prospective students will be considered for admission or acceptance upon the completion and submission of all the following documents:

  • The official BBCC-J application form
  • Letter of recommendation from the prospective student’s pastor and/or pastoral supervisor
  • In the event the applicant is a pastor, a letter from his/her pastoral supervisor
  • Two (2) reference forms- academic and professional
  • The financial information form and medical forms
  • Copies of all CSEC or GCE subjects obtained or alternate qualifications
  • For access to the degree and diploma programmes- A minimum of five (5) CSEC (General and Technical Proficiencies) and/or GCE subjects with a combination of passes at grades I, II or III and/or A, B or C. English Language is compulsory
  • For access to the certificate programmes - attainment of secondary education (Level 1) or three (3) CSEC or GCE subjects (Level 2)
  • Copies of all earned certificates, diplomas and degrees
  • An official transcript/s (where applicable)
  • A computer-generated statement of conversion and Christian experience
  • A non-refundable application fee of J$2,500 (for Jamaican applicants) or US$20.00 (for international applicants)

 

  1. What are the technical requirements for access to Bethel’s online courses and programmes?

There are some essential technical requirements that prospective online students must meet before they are cleared to register for any BethelONLINE course or programme. These requirements are as follows:

 

  • A working laptop or desktop with any of the following operating systems: Windows 10 or Mac OS X (the latest versions)
  • Knowledge of Microsoft WORD or any other Word Processing Software capable of reading and generating WORD formatted documents (.doc/.docx)
  • An updated, modern web browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge
  • Consistent internet access with download speed of at least 15 Mbps and upload speed of at least 5 Mbps
  • Microsoft PowerPoint or any other related presentation software
  • Latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for documents in portable document format (PDF)
  • A good quality microphone for use during live ZOOM sessions
  • A high-quality video camera connected to a computer to facilitate viewing during live ZOOM sessions.

 

  1. How can I apply for Bethel’s online courses or programmes?

Prospective students have the option to apply via conventional paper-based forms, which they can download from BBCC-J’s website, complete, scan and email to the College. The other option is our online application portal that is available on this website via the “Admissions” tab and then “Online Application”. The online application form should be filled out in its entirety and submitted.

 

  1. How do I register?

Immediately after the submission of your completed application forms and the supporting documents, the Admissions Director will verify the documents and make initial contact. The Admissions Committee will then convene and conduct interviews face-to-face or online via Bethel’s ZOOM facility. The decision of the Admissions Committee will be communicated to the applicant via the Admissions Director. If the decision is affirmative, the accepted student will be required to fill out and complete the College’s registration form and pay the tuition and fees that are outlined in the latest copy of Bethel’s fee structure.  Registration is deemed complete after the submission of proof of payment of tuition and fees.

 

  1. How much will each course and/or programme cost?

The costs for each semester include tuition and other fees (such as registration fee, library fee [including JAMCOPY fee] and maintenance fee). Bethel students pay tuition each semester based on the number of credits that they will be taking. On average, a BethelONLINE student will take at least 12 credits during the regular semesters (August to December and January to May). The cost per credit hour is J$13,000 (US$75) for a regular course and J$5,000 (US$37) for an audited course. Therefore, the cost for a three-credit online course is J$39,000 (US$220) and $15,000 (US$110) when audited. For more information on the tuition costs for each semester and for each programme, please check the relevant section of the BBCC-J’s website. Information on the fees could be obtained there as well.

 

  1. Will I be able to pay my tuition and fees online?

BBCC-J is working on having an online portal for the online payment of tuition and fees. The portal will be accessible soon. International students are required to make payments via money order or international wire transfer or via the online portal when it becomes available for use. Proof of payment must be submitted to the Business Office. Jamaican residents are required to make payments at any branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia or Sagicor Bank. Account numbers may be obtained from the College.

 

  1. Will I be able to take examinations online?

Students will be able to do quizzes via the MOODLE platform for most BethelONLINE courses. Specific instructions will be given by the respective course facilitators. The College is in the process of determining the way forward regarding the administration of written final exams. A few options are being considered, including the use of proctors. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

 

  1. Are the online programmes offered by BBCC-J accredited?

Most of Bethel’s programmes are accredited by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). The Bachelor of Theology with a Minor in Guidance and Counselling, the Bachelor of Theology (no minor) and the Diploma in Theology are accredited by the UCJ. The Certificate in Christian Ministry is not accredited by the UCJ because it has not been submitted for UCJ scrutiny, but it is subjected to the same rigorous standards as the accredited programmes. Therefore, anyone who completes this certificate should be confident that it is as robust as the accredited programmes that Bethel offers.

 

  1. Does BBCC-J offer its programmes online entirely or partially?

Details regarding this matter will be made available in due course.

 

  1. Are current traditional students allowed to take online courses via BethelONLINE?

Traditional students – residential and commuting – who are pursuing diploma and degree programmes can take online courses. Currently, they take a maximum of two online courses per semester. This number might increase in future. All current students are advised to take advantage of training sessions in preparation for the successful completion of their online courses.

 

  1. Would someone who is not an enrolled student be allowed to take some courses online?

The College allows students who are not fully enrolled in any of its programmes to access and complete some of its courses as audit students for developmental and other personal purposes. These students must go through the application process but would not necessarily be interviewed. The College may also admit students from other tertiary institutions who are permitted to complete a Bethel course online.

 

  1. Are students required to be online every day at specific times?

Students of BBCC-J do not have to be online at institutionally scheduled times. One of the hallmarks of Bethel’s online courses and programmes is flexibility. Our use of the MOODLE learning management platform allows for such flexibility and asynchronous access. Students can access their course content and assignments at any time via the BethelONLINE portal. However, a lecturer may require that all students who are taking a course be available for a synchronous class session. The date and time would be determined by both the facilitator and the students via email or some other means of communication.

 

  1. Is there someone with whom online students can communicate about the online programmes and related technical issues?

Yes, students may contact the following offices via email or telephone (876-962-8803, 962-0869): The Academic Dean’s Administrative Assistant for academic information (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), the Student Services Director’s Office with service-related concerns (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), and the ICT Manager’s office for technical information (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).