Frequently Asked Questions
If you are thinking about opting for any degree you can always check out the common queries about our service and support.
He is the potter; you are the clay. Think of us as the wheel.
The programs at Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary are built on a foundation in principles of academic and educational integrity and faith and include challenging yet practical field-based research, which inspires a balanced integration of faith, living and learning that can enhance your success both personally and professionally in an enriching and self-rewarding way that is pleasing to the Creator.
Throughout your program, you will enjoy engaging podcasts, interesting threaded discussions and thought-provoking videos designed to transform online learning in ways you never imagined possible. You will also enjoy ample opportunities to build lifelong, supportive bonds with classmates and professors.
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary is a community of learners distinguished by our lifelong involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective for learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world.
Take the first step in your journey by filling out the contact form to learn more. We will then connect you with a representative with whom you can discuss your professional goals, options for payment and any other questions you may have about Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary.
Biblical Higher Education
The Institution strives to provide the highest quality education. Education must have balance in theory and practice, providing the intellectual, practical, and spiritual skills necessary for one to be successful. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Proverbs 1:1-7; 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 15
Scriptural Authority
The Institution affirms that God has provided absolute truth in Scripture. The Scripture is sufficient for life change and is the framework for historic Baptist teaching. 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:3
Glorification of Christ
The Institution has as its standard that one’s purpose is to glorify Christ in all things: in thought, conduct, and motives. Jesus Christ is the standard and value of all things. Philippians 3:7-14; Colossians 1:17; 3:1-17
Biblical Worldview
The Institution believes God’s creation has purpose. That purpose is fulfilled in a person’s total obedience to Jesus Christ, conforming to His image. Romans 8:28-29; Ephesians 4:20-24
Qualified Teaching Faculty
The Institution maximizes its impact on students through faculty members who are professionals. They possess a body of knowledge and skills, have ministry experience, and engage students in learning both inside and outside the classroom. Since faculty serve students who are preparing for ministry, professionalism includes not only the standard expectations of one who teaches in an institution of biblical higher education, but also includes spiritual qualities characteristic of Christian leaders. 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Timothy 2:2
Christ-Centered Curriculum
The Institution makes its students’ personal relationships with Christ the center of curricular and extra-curricular experiences. Students of the present generation need the assurance that there is a God to believe; One who is holy, good, and the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Jesus Christ Himself is the truth; He is the standard and value of all things. Colossians 1:17; 3:1-17; Hebrews 13:8
Strategic Relevance
The Institution prepares those who desire to serve God to fulfill their life goals as they impact society for Jesus Christ. Acts 17:22-24; 1 Corinthians 9: 20-22
Life–long Learning
The Institution educates and challenges students to adopt the value of continued learning that enhances their Christ-centered ministries and marketplace professions. Proverbs 1:5; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:15
Global Evangelism
The Institution acknowledges that all of mankind is in need of a personal relationship with Christ by faith and commits itself to prepare students to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to evangelize and disciple divergent people groups of the world through the local church. Matthew 28:18-20; John 3:16-21; Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:1-2, 15; 1 Peter 1:13-25
GOD
We believe in the one ever-living, eternal God: infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose; and possessing absolute, indivisible deity. This one true God has revealed Himself as Father, through His Son in redemption, and as the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
THE BIBLE
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a divine revelation from God to man. We accept the Scriptures as the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin; that he lived a sinless life, was crucified on Calvary for our sins, and bodily rose from the grave; and that he has been exalted to the throne of God where He is the only mediator between God and man. We believe that through his death and life we have personal salvation and power for victorious living.
SALVATION
We believe that all men have sinned and stand in need of redemption, which is obtained through the new birth by faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those repenting of sin, being baptized in water by emersion in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit with biblical evidence in speaking in other tongues, are born again become children of God and heirs with Christ.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in the world today and that the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with His accompanying gifts, is the privilege of all New Testament believers.
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church has been “called out” of the world to be a habitation of God through the Spirit. As the body of Christ on earth, the church offers hope to mankind. The church is one body made up of many members, diverse in their gifts and calling of the Holy Spirit.
THE SECOND COMING
We believe in the pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ to receive his bride, the church, unto Himself. At his coming, we believe the dead in Christ will be resurrected from the grave. We believe in Christ’s millennial reign upon the earth.
Biblical Wisdom
Biblical Wisdom is the perspective that observes and evaluates life as according to God’s Word, and consequently, defines how one should live.
The curriculum will equip students to:
Develop a reverential submission to the Lord that is the essence of learning.
Develop a disposition for life-long spiritual growth.
Demonstrate biblical self-discipline and decision-making to life.
Utilize the Bible to distinguish between truth and error.
Formulate biblical solutions to problems, dilemmas, and enigmas.
Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence is the life-long pursuit and acquisition of knowledge and skills to produce personal, professional, and cross-cultural competencies.
The curriculum will equip students to:
Develop a disposition for life-long learning.
Investigate the diversities and complexities of the past and present culture and social world to effectively serve God.
Utilize systematic principles and abilities to make informed decisions and solve problems.
Develop logical arguments and draw reasoned conclusions.
Analyze information and life situations within a biblical worldview.
Communicate accuratley in a Christ-like manner with clarity, coherence and persuasiveness.
The curriculum will equip students to:
Apply the knowledge and skills of servant-leadership in a local church. Engage others in a biblical model of discipleship.
Design and adapt appropriate strategies to evangelize and disciple the lost in varied contexts.
The Lord has given Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary a specific mandate and calling: to train and equip totally committed disciples of Jesus who have a burning desire to love and serve God and are dedicated to transform their world. Our gifted faculty and leadership team, some of whom have been training and equipping God’s people for more than forty years, are committed to fulfilling this divine mandate and to see an entire generation impacted by the gospel of Jesus in power.
Our faculty come from many different backgrounds and have a wide range of ministry gifting, emphases, and educational backgrounds. Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary also has a diverse program which offers many ministry opportunities. This enables Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary to help each student discover his or her individual gifts and callings and then to train them in several areas of ministry specialization.
What are the requirements for admission?
All applicants must meet the following requirements to receive consideration for admission:
Applicants must live in accordance with godly principles, as stated in the Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary Student Commitment to Excellence.
Applicants must have completed high school via diploma or GED.
Applicants must complete the application packet, or complete the online application process.
How do I apply?
Prospective students may apply to Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary using one of the following three methods:
Complete the online application available at the Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary.
Download the application from the Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary website.
Request a physical application in the mail by contacting our office at info@sdibs.com
Can I transfer credits to CSound Doctrine International Bible Seminary?
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary will consider requests to transfer credits on an individual basis. Students should submit transfer of credit requests to the Registrar.
Is Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary?
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary is accredited by The Accrediting Association of Bible Schools and Theological Institutions, American Bible College Accreditation, an evangelical, faith based, accrediting agency. Next Dimension School of Theology have the authority to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary place a high value on academic excellence and seeks to instill a sound biblical worldview and an advanced level of biblical understanding into all of our students. All of our faculty members have years of ministry experience.
All degrees at the Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary are earned degrees. This is achieved by mandatory coursework that must be completed.
Our courses are available to everyone who meets our entrance requirements. Our courses require comprehensive study and self-discipline as our Bible College is an online and off-site institution.
Bible College transcripts do not always reflect real life experience. Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary recognizes life experience which may have been gained through years of work which is ministry related.
Many people have served in ministry positions and have gained a lot of knowledge and experience in their fields, but do not have any formal certificate, Bible College, or degree. Life experience credits can give some of the recognition needed for this service in the work of the Lord.
This acceptance of life credits helps a potential student to accelerate their learning college experience and enabling them to earn a fully accredited degree.
Applicants must have had more than five years in a recognized position in ministry.
No degrees can be awarded based purely upon life-experience. Life experience which could include such things as books authored, missions trips, classes taught, outreach ministries, ministries within a church, etc., must be documented along with the years they occurred and submitted for evaluation.
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa (Latin:”for the sake of the honor”) is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residency, study and the passing of examinations. The degree is typically a doctorate and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution.
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary will bestow the Honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) Degree or the honorary Doctor of Sacred Letters (D.S.Litt.) degree upon distinguished Pastors, Evangelists, Ministers, and other Christian Leaders or Public Servants who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the Gospel and the making of disciples.
All courses that are implemented by Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary are accredited by National Bible College Association who are authorized to grant Certificates, and to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. National Bible College Association is an evangelical, faith-based, accrediting agencies.
The Courses that Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary implements are fully accredited by the National Bible College Association and is a non-governmental accreditation, extended exclusively to private, Christian institutions upon inspection and approval of their programs, operations, and integrity.
National Bible College Association is a worldwide accreditation agencies that honors the separation of church and state, and extends beyond national boundaries. Its standards and expectations measure compliance with scriptural principles as applied to education.
THE PURPOSE OF ACCREDITATION IS TO:
Certify that an institution has met the established standards of excellence assist prospective students in identifying reputable institutions, which offer degree programs that will meet their needs and goals allow institutions to evaluate the acceptability of transfer credits into their own curricula programs
In the United States, accreditation of universities and seminaries is a voluntary process with accreditation granted by private, non-governmental agencies. Governmental agencies do not provide theological or ministry accreditation.
Government-recognized accreditation is not necessary for the religious vocations in which we are equipping our students and people working in ministry positions do not need a government-accredited degree.
We do not prepare our students for secular work or denominational service. We will seek to provide a sound theological standing from which our students may fulfill their divine purpose and calling.
Our status as a Christian University is as follows:
Registered with the Secretary of State in Florida, USA and fully accredited by the National Bible College Association.
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary Degree Programs of Study have been declared by the appropriate State Authority exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of Florida General Statutes Section 1005.06(1)(f) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Click here to view our status with the Florida Department of Education.
Exemption from licensure is not based upon assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
Our courses meet the requirements established by many private, independent, and professional associations. Various regionally or nationally accredited Christian Universities, colleges and seminaries throughout the United States may accept transfer students, credits and degrees from Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary.
Transferability of credits earned at Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary and transferred to another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution.
CREDIT TRANSFERS
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary can transfer all credits from accredited institutions such as colleges, seminaries, Christian universities, etc. The credits must be reported on an official transcript. No more than 60 credit hours (including life credits) may be transferred. Courses transferred must be equivalent in content and requirements to courses in the Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary catalogue.
Accepting credits earned at another institution is the prerogative of the receiving institution. No college, school or accrediting agency can require another institution to accept in transfer credit earned somewhere else. Even when the sending institution is accredited by the same agency as the receiving school, there is no guarantee credits will transfer.
Students wishing to transfer credits to other schools are responsible for finding out about the acceptance of credit by the receiving institution.
US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACCREDITATION
Sound Doctrine International Bible Seminary is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Government recognized accreditation is not necessary for the religious vocations we are training people in, which include: Biblical Studies, Christian Arts, Christian Counseling, Christian Entrepreneurship, Christian Leadership, Divine Healing, Divinity, Intercessory Prayer, Ministry, Missions and Evangelism, Pastoral Ministry, Prophetic Ministry, Theology, Worship Ministry, and Youth Ministry. People can function and hold jobs in all of these professions without government-recognized accreditation.
Individuals seeking employment in government-licensed positions such as public school teachers, state-licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, and non-church-related counselors definitely need government-recognized accredited degrees. Generally, people working in ministry positions do not need a government-accredited degree. In fact, a number of churches take a stand against the Church voluntarily placing itself under government regulations.