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Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is Golden State School of Theology? 1. WHAT IS GOLDEN STATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY? GSST is a reputable, conservative Christian Bible College and Seminary located in Stockton, CA. Our mission and ministry is to provide educational opportunities to Christians worldwide, regardless of where they live. 2. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF GSST? We are dedicated to the purpose of training and educating men and women for Christian service. Jesus Christ is the center of all our goals and objectives. We strive to place as many trained workers in the field of harvest as possible. 3. WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS DOES GSST OFFER? GSST specializes in the Bible and all ministerial and theological disciplines. Programs are designed to train ministers, missionaries, educators, church leaders, and those laypersons who want to know more about the Bible. GSST also offers local churches the opportunity to have our educators conduct on-site leadership and training seminars. We call this our “Church Support Services,” and we are available on a free-will love-offering basis. 4. WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION DOES GSST OFFER? GSST offers what we call DIRECTED INTERNET STUDIES opportunities. Virtually every course and degree program may be completed through the internet. Attending a traditional classroom is never required. Because we are an internet school, only those persons having access to a computer and the internet will be able to successfully complete a GSST course or degree program. 5. IS GSST ACCREDITED? No, GSST is NOT an accredited. However, lack of accreditation in no way reflects inadequacy of our programs. From the founding of the college in 1979, we have made a conscious decision to provide the highest quality Christian education possible, maintaining the Biblical integrity of the school as we accomplish this mission. In the meantime, GSST’s programs are doctrinally and academically sound. They are administered by some of the most outstanding educators in their fields. Most church denominations, as well as several fully-accredited schools, recognize the high quality of our programs, and accept GSST credits. (Acceptance of credit or degree transfers varies between institutions, and is approved on a case-by-case basis.) 6. DOES GSST GRANT DEGREES? YES, GSST is licensed by the State of California to grant Degrees. We offer studies leading to the Associate of Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Ministry (in five concentrations), Master of Apologetics (in two concentrations, Master of Christian Education, Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Doctor of Religious Education, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Stewardship, and Doctor of Theology. 7. IS GSST DEOMINATIONAL? NO, we are independent institution. We like to refer to ourselves as “Trans-denominational.” Our students and faculty represent a wide spectrum of the Christian movement. 8. TO WHAT DOCTRINES DOES GSST HOLD? Golden State School of Theology stands on the common ground of Bible-based, fundamental-evangelical theology. This theology is centered upon the foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in promoting the unity of the Body of Christ, and have an excellent reputation of working with evangelical denominations and para-church organizations. 9. DO OTHER COLLEGES ACCEPT TRANSFER OF GSST CREDITS? Several fully accredited colleges have, but every school has different procedures. Therefore, their decisions will vary. If you plan to transfer to another school after completing a GSST course or program, check with that school first to see if they will accept GSST credits and/or degrees. 10. WILL GSST ACCEPT PREVIOUS COLLEGE OR SEMINARY WORK? Generally, yes. The applicant must have an official transcript of all previous work sent to the Registrar for evaluation. 11. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES THE FACULTY HAVE? We are humbled to say that GSST has some of the most outstanding Christian educators on our staff. Many of our professors hold multiple degrees in their given field of expertise. 12. WHAT TYPE OF MATERIALS DOES GSST USE? The GSST Academic Committee has selected some of the most respected textbooks and websites available. Courses and programs have been designed to require application of the knowledge being learned. Our model is so successful that it has been used by other schools of higher education. 13. DO YOU OFFER TRADITIONAL CLASSES? Generally, NO. We do accommodate those persons living in an area who believe they would benefit from traditional classroom teaching. This option is being used in Malaysia and the Philippines. If you are interested in this option, please contact the President of GSST at gsstcentral@inreach.com. 14. HOW DOES THE GSST SYSTEM OF DIS COMPARE WITH CLASSROM LEARNING? We believe that the Directed Internet Studies program provides a great opportunity for learning. Students are required to complete both objective and subjective assignments, and to utilize the internet in their learning processes. Students have told us many times that our methodology is more intensive than most traditional classes. 15. HOW DOES DIS WORK? At the time a person enrolls and pays the Initial Fee, they are sent two courses. One is the GSST Orientation Course. The assignments for the Orientation course and all others are sent to the Mentor via email attachment. They are examined and a grade returned to the student within 72 hours. 16. WHAT DIRECTION IS GIVEN TO GSST STUDENTS? Upon enrollment, each student is assigned a Personal Mentor. This individual is the Paraclete for both the student and GSST. The Mentor provides information about the process of completing the GSST Study Guides, GSST procedures, etc. Each course comes with a GSST Study Guide. The Study Guide has been developed to provide each student with the best possible guidance. When assistance, encouragement, or other communication is needed, the student contacts the Mentor for assistance. 17. WHEN AND WHERE DOES A STUDENT TAKE FINAL EXAMS? Generally, students who complete the Study Guides with a grade of 90% or better are exempted from taking a Final Examination. In all other cases, the student will be required to complete the Final Examination in the presence of a Proctor who has been selected by the student. 18. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A GSST COURSE? Usually four to six weeks for each course. However, we do have many students who have completed courses within two weeks. The length of time it takes a student to complete a GSST course is completely within the control of the student. 19. WHAT ARE THE ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS FOR GSST? All applicants must provide evidence of a genuine “born again” experience with Christ, and be a high school graduate (or its equivalent). Applicants for Graduate programs must possess an undergraduate degree from an accepted school. Candidates for GSST Doctoral programs must possess a three year Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an approved institution. 20. HOW DOES A PERSON ENROLL AS A STUDENT? The applicant must complete an online application. The Initial Fee must be paid before students may begin their studies with GSST. Once the Initial Fee has been paid the student will be assigned a Mentor, who will serve the student throughout the time of study with GSST. Applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent. 21. WHEN ARE THE EARNED DEGREES GRANTED? Commencement Exercises are held once a Year in Stockton, CA. They are held in September. All graduating students of GSST are strongly encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities of Commencement Weekend. A Graduation Fee of $200 is charged for graduation. This fee includes the Graduation Banquet tickets, Graduation Banquet, Graduation Breakfast, Graduation Weekend pictures and a CD-ROM or DVD of ALL pictures taken by the professional photographer, and the Graduate Regalia. Each graduate gets to keep the cap, gown, hood, and tassel. 22. ARE PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE? YES, students may pay for their education course basis. They may also enroll in the Monthly Payment Plan (MPP). Through this plan, each enrollee will pay approximately 20% less than if paying course by course. Under the MPP each enrollee is required to make a monthly payment of $100 to GSST. For more details, contact the Director of Operations at gsstcentral@inreach.com 23. WHERE TO GSST STUDENTS LIVE? GSST students live in more than half the States here in the USA and hail from virtually every inhabited continent. We have active Extension Centers in Malaysia and the Philippines. In the Fall of 2003, a Chinese Language extension of GSST was established under the auspices of GSST Malaysia. GSST is also active in the Ukraine, where a multi-denominational Ministry Center makes use of GSST course materials in its Theological Education program.
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