TBC is 'going the distance' for students

*Tennessee Bible College's distance learning program provides opportunity for students to take Bible courses at home... wherever home may be

By AMY DAVIS
for TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

The halls may not be bustling with the kind of activity one may expect at a busy college campus, but don't let the lack of commotion fool you.

Most of Tennessee Bible College's students will never even set foot on the green grass surrounding the pristine white school building that's nestled in a quiet little corner in northeast Cookeville.

They will never sleep in its dormitory rooms; never spend time chatting in the student lounge; never study in its library; never pray in its chapel; never meet faculty members face-to-face; and, in some cases, never even enter the United States.

That's because the majority of the men and women currently taking courses at TBC are doing so through the college's distance learning program. So whether they are in the next county or on the other side of the world, their TBC distance learning experience is the same -- instructions, assignments and materials are mailed to them, and it's up to the students to decide when and where they will complete and return the work.

"Ideal education involves personal contact between the teacher and the student, but the ideal is not always possible," said Kerry Duke, dean of TBC. "Many have a desire for advanced Bible education, but their situation in life hinders them from attending college. Because of location and obligations to work and family, many interested people are unable to attend classes on the campus of Tennessee Bible College."

So that's where distance learning comes in.

The college is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to confer three degrees through its distance learning program: the bachelor of religious education, the master of theology and the doctor of theology.

The program began in 2000 and has so far graduated two long-distance scholars: the first, Peter Masiya of Livingstone, Zambia, Africa, in 2005, and the second, Michael Hogan of Mooresville, N.C., in 2006. Both men earned a bachelor's degree in religious education.

Distance learning is TBC's fastest-growing program and continues to draw new students seeking the opportunity to take in-depth Bible courses in the privacy of their homes. Currently enrolled are 60 students from 14 states and 11 countries. Courses may be taken for college credit or taken on a non-credit (audit) basis. Students may also transfer credits to other universities. Financial assistance and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

"If you want to learn more of the truth, but, like the Ethiopian eunuch, you wonder, 'How can I, except some man should guide me?' (Acts 8:31), then distance learning is for you," Duke said.

Although distance learning is available at TBC, faculty members encourage those who can to attend class the "old-fashioned way" -- that is, in the classroom. There they will have the benefits of one-on-one discussions with faculty members, the fellowship of classmates, access to its library, twice-weekly chapel meetings, and much more.

"Tennessee Bible College has always strived to offer education that is solid in the Bible," Duke said. "Our courses are practical in all areas of the Christian life."

TBC is located at 1616 McCulley Road in Cookeville, next door to Northeast church of Christ and the future campus of the pre-kindergarten through eighth grade Tennessee Christian School. The college was established in 1975 by Malcolm Hill, TBC president, and is dedicated to training Bible preachers and Christian workers in Bible doctrine, apologetics and evangelism. The college is approved for V. A. benefits. Free Bible correspondence courses are also offered.

For more information, call (931) 526-2616, e-mail tbc@tn-biblecollege.edu, or visit the web site at www.tn-biblecollege.edu.