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:
1. Students
full name, address, passport or ID card number and date of birth.
2. Students
passport-size photo, glued to the page, rubber stamped over the edge.
3. Title of
Course and Dates of Course.
4. Location of
course, and name of the Course Leader or School Principal.
5. Name and
full contact details for the student’s supervisor.
6. List of all
titles studied. See below for a ready made list to copy.
7. Confirmation
of number of essays submitted with average mark gained.
8. Confirmation
of number of practical assignments completed.
9. Date of
Examination and the actual result.
10. Source of
study material which is Dr. Les Norman, Th.D, M.Ph,
The DCI
Foundation, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
11. 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.
Download
this page in Word .doc format in zip file
Download
this page in Abobe Acrobat .pdf format
Please write to me
for any further advice or clarification.
Dr.
Les Norman.
The DCI
Foundation, England
www.dci.org.uk
Last revised: March, 2011
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