How to issue a credible Diploma

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At the end of the Course of Studies it is normal and expected by many successful students that they will receive a Diploma or Certificate. Some leaders may also wish to present students with interim awards after every section of studies in order to affirm and encourage them. A proper Certificate rewards the students perseverance and diligence and it is an asset for them to add to their CV and to present to prospective employers, church leaderships, and to colleges of higher education.

First, the basics. If a student has only attended classes and no more then he or she should be rewarded with a simple Certificate of Attendance. If, as we hope a student has completed all the written work and practical projects and passed the examination then he or she should be recognized with an official diploma.

We never recommend that diplomas be issued from the UK because no-one is going to believe that the student has studied in the UK or been taught by British teachers, and this doubt immediately takes away the value of the diploma. Instead it is always better that the local institution or church issue the diploma and then be available to answer any questions from, for example, another college or an employer who will want to know if the qualification is genuine and has been worked for, or if it is one of those papers that can be bought in local markets or over the Internet.

In order for a certificate to be credible it needs to be issued correctly. This page will help the leadership to reward their students with a valuable qualification.

A student should be presented with two items:

The Certificate.

The Transcript, which is an explanation and validation.

The Certificate

We dare not publish a copy of our own certificates on the Internet as unscrupulous people will make copies and sell them on the streets. This diminishes the value and credibility of the genuine certificates.

However, it is easy to make your own certificates. On a PC both Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Corel, Serif and so on all have ready-made templates with fancy borders that you can use. Just add your words, the layout of your choice, and the names of your students and print, preferably with a colour printer. A certificate does not have to be complex or expensive.

You can buy ready made blank certificates at major stationery and paper suppliers in most large towns worldwide. One make is Decadry. You can also see examples and buy direct from the Internet. Do a Google search for ready made certificates and diplomas.

You may call your award a Certificate or Diploma of Biblical Studies if you wish. It should contain the title, a confirmation that <your student’s name> has satisfactorily completed a supervised course of studies supplied by Dr. L H Norman at The DCI Foundation, England from <date> to <date> and has passed the Course examination, (with merit, or honours as necessary).

The Certificate should be signed in ink by two officials, dated, rubber stamped front and rear, and if a red wax or plastic seal can be attached to the front, so much the better. It should be presented in a hard Certificate holder or clear plastic folder or envelope to keep it clean.

The Transcript

This is the validation for the Certificate and should be type-written on headed paper, each page rubber-stamped and initialled or signed by the pastor or School Principal. Anything less than this will be treated with suspicion by any examining body in the future. A second original should be kept by the School.

The transcript must contain the following:

Students full name, address, passport or ID card number and date of birth.
Students passport-size photo, glued to the page, rubber stamped over the edge.
Title of Course and Dates of Course.
Location of course, and name of the Course Leader or School Principal.
Name and full contact details for the student’s supervisor.
List of all titles studied. See below for a ready made list to copy.
Confirmation of number of essays submitted with average mark gained.
Confirmation of number of practical assignments completed.
Date of Examination and the actual result.
Source of study material which is Dr. Les Norman, Th.D, M.Ph, The DCI Foundation, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
The academic valuation.This will be understood by a College or Higher Education or a University who may or may not allow academic credits to be considered towards a course of further study offered by them. Please note that no guarantee whatsoever should be given to any student that any University or College will automatically accept the values awarded by this Certificate or any other from an outside institution. However many colleges will certainly take these studies into account, especially with a credible transcript to accompany them.

“Dr. Les Norman, Th.D, M.Ph, of The DCI Foundation in the UK, confirms that if the full Course were completed on their premises and under their supervision the actual classroom and study time would be as follows:

85 lessons at 1.5 classroom or study hours each = 127.5 hours.

85 written assignments at 3 hours each = 255 hours.

85 practical assignments at 2 hours each =170 hours.

Total classroom and assignment clock hours = 552 hours.

The 552 total hours equals 34 credit hours.

Therefore the academic valuation of this Certificate of Biblical Studies is said to be 34 semester credits.”

This page is exclusively for Bible School, Mission and Church Leaders who have been approached by a student or his or her supervisor to request approval and covering for a forthcoming course of studies with the hope that the church, mission, school or organisation will issue a diploma at the end of the course of studies and after the examination provided.