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A Resource for Parents and Teens

MaranathAbaptist bible college & seminary

I appreciate what a difficult job parents face as they guide children in how to make wise choices. Those choices span so many areas—friends, entertainment and media, health and nutrition, the proper response to victories

and disappointments … and the list goes on. Most importantly, parents must help their children make wise choices in how they will exercise their personal faith, both now and in the future.

Another vital choice is whether, and where, to pursue a college education. We hope this issue of Getting You Ready will help. Inside, you will find practical articles that will provide information about higher education.

We recognize finances as an important component of that choice. Please read Is a College Degree Worth the Investment? to learn what recent studies have indicated about the value of a college degree. You will also appreciate the articles about scholarships, accreditation, and how to save money by earning college credits while still in high school.

We also want to demonstrate why a Christian college like Maranatha is a special place, and why our students gain valuable experiences that can’t be duplicated anywhere else.Our sincere prayer is that God will give you wisdom. Our sincere hope is that Getting You Ready will provide information that will help you and your young adult make that vital decision.

In His Service,

Dr. Jim HarrisonVice President for Institutional Advancement

Getting You Ready, Volume 8

Table Contents

Executive EditorDr. Jim Harrison Writer/EditorAndy Call

Director of PhotographyTim Mielke

Getting You Ready is a college guide produced by Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Correspondence and address changes may be sent to Getting You Ready, 745 West Main Street, Watertown, WI 53094. You may also email us at admissions@mbbc.edu or call 1-800-MBBC-WIS.

© 2013 Maranatha Baptist Bible College & Seminary. All rights reserved. MARANATHA COMMUNICATIONS 13-013

Communications DirectorPeter Wright

Graphic ArtistKristina Hendrickson

Contributing PhotographerNathan Brewer, Julie RuterVickie Turner

3 The Campus Experience: It Can’t be Replaced

6 More than you Expect

7 Is a College Degree Worth the Investment?

10 Calendar for the College-Bound

11 The Lord Provides Maranatha Scholarships

13 Regional Accreditation: The Right Question to Ask

14 How to Get a Head Start on College

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yle Kutz never wanted to be a typical “commuter student.”

“I wanted the ‘college experience,’ not just to climb into my car and drive home after class,” Kyle said. “I have had people ask me, ‘Why do you do all of this? You can just go home.’ I’ve learned that the time I invest in other people is way more important than just creating time for another part-time job. What I’m getting is an education in relationships.”

The junior Accounting (CPA) major at Maranatha drives 25 miles to campus from Cambridge, WI, every morning but rarely drives home until late in the evening. He is too busy playing on the soccer and basketball teams, helping organize activities as student body vice president, and singing in an a capella group as well as Tonal Defenders, a vocal music group made up of soccer players.

The lessons Kyle has learned about relationships, leadership, and involvement are not unique among

Maranatha students. The College has long promoted these ideals as an important facet of spiritual development.

The Student Life Office has intentionally set up a leadership structure that can involve hundreds of students in vital roles in their residence halls, classes, and student societies. That structure, coupled with the students’ passion for service, creates a unique campus experience that students love.

“It was time for me to grow up, make decisions, and rely on God in those moments,” said Audrey Smiley, a junior Cross Cultural Studies major from Paulding, OH. “If I had lived at home and gone to a community college, I never would have grown in the ways I’ve grown here. There were lessons God needed to teach me in an environment that is focused on Him.”

Many parents are examining community colleges and other higher education options as a cheaper alternative.

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CAMPUS EXPERIENCE:TheIt Can’t be Replaced

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What their children may be missing, however, are intentional opportunities to learn spiritual and practical lessons vital for effective service.

The campus experience at Maranatha includes leadership, local church service, dorm life, student activities, athletics, and fine arts.

“Once you get out of college, you aren’t guaranteed opportunities like this,” Audrey said. “If I hadn’t come here, and had found out later what I missed out on, I certainly would have regretted it.”

What would Audrey have missed out on? How about playing flute in the Symphonic Band, singing in the Madrigal and Handbell Choir, serving as class vice president and a dorm residence assistant, and participating in a street witnessing ministry.

Athletics and fine arts groups are not limited to a select few students at Maranatha. In fact, nearly 25 percent participate in intercollegiate sports and nearly 25 percent participate in vocal or instrumental groups.

Many students also take part in ministry activities and community service. Maranatha students volunteer in tutoring and mentoring programs for disadvantaged youngsters, host a cookout for the Watertown police and fire department employees, rake leaves

and sing Christmas carols for senior citizens, and host a youth basketball tournament where the gospel is presented to competing players. All of those activities help form a humble servant’s heart in the future Christian leaders who participate.

Few colleges can provide such diverse experiences, and few colleges can claim such a diversity of positive results. A survey of Maranatha graduates from 2008-11 indicated 99 percent still attended church regularly and 94 percent were actively involved in ministry at their local church—miles ahead of national norms for the young adult demographic.

“The way (Business Department Chair) Dr. Corey Pfaffe counsels students and the way the deans counsel students has had a huge impact on me,” Kyle said. “It’s something I want to reflect in my life when I graduate.”

Another positive aspect of the campus experience is peer relationships. Kyle said many of the friends he expects to retain long after graduation are those young men who shared his experiences in athletics, music, and student leadership. Audrey said her “best friends forever” are likely to be the young women in Day Hall with whom she enjoyed meaningful conversations in her role as a residence assistant.

Though students are required to have a salvation testimony for admission, Audrey said “A girl on my floor got saved, and it has been great to see how she has grown. The other encouraging part of that is to hear back from girls who thanked me for helping them. I may not have thought those conversations were a huge deal at the time—a brief talk or sharing a few verses. But to hear how those girls grew or were encouraged has really encouraged me to focus on others.”

A well-rounded, professionally capable, and spiritually mature Alum is what Maranatha aims for in its campus experience. Those graduates who take full advantage of the opportunities available to them provide terrific examples that the College is fulfilling its mission statement: “To develop leaders for ministry in the local church and the world ‘To the Praise of His Glory.’ ”

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ome might find the idea of attending a Bible college to become a doctor, lawyer, detective, or scientist to be

an odd notion. They might also be skeptical of studying there to land a job in marketing, photography and video, international business, sports and recreation, or the military.

Maranatha graduates are doing all those things. Training Christian leaders for the professions, as well as for full-time ministry, has always been the focus. You can find someone from among our 4,000 plus graduates in almost any ministry or career field you can think of.

Maranatha offers many academic programs you may not expect at a Bible college, including:

• Aviation• Biology/Environmental Science• Biology/Pre-Medical• Business Management• Accounting (CPA)• Digital Media Marketing/Communications• Sport Management• Photography• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

(TESOL)• Nursing

The most popular majors at Maranatha continue to be Bible and Church Ministries, Teacher Education, Humanities (largely pre-professional studies), and the various Business programs. But there are many choices, more than 40 degree programs in all.

One great option for those seeking a professional career is graduate school. Maranatha’s regional accreditation prepares its students to be accepted into almost any postgraduate program.

“We offer a strong liberal arts foundation,” said Dr. John Brock, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “I don’t know of any graduate who hasn’t been successful in their professional program.”

A survey of graduates from 2008-2011 who applied to graduate schools indicated 98 percent were accepted by their first choice.

Alumni have used their degrees to enter a broad scope of careers.

Many Maranatha graduates have found law enforcement to be rewarding. Alaska State Trooper Brian Hibbs (’06) was a Biblical Studies major. Lisa DeGraw (’79) and her daughter,

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Christa (McGraw) Roberts (’02), were Music Education and Church Music majors in college, but now work for the FBI office in Phoenix. Several other law enforcement officers were Humanities majors. Those graduates said only about half of their coworkers were Criminal Justice majors.

“The fact that you will stick to it and complete your degree seems to mean more than what area the degree is actually in,” DeGraw said.

The other side of law enforcement is the court of law. Maranatha graduates who have completed law school include Dr. Michael Dean (’77), who has been involved in several landmark cases for religious and educational rights in Wisconsin; Kelly (Maples) Culp (’90), who went on to private business law practice in Colorado; and Ryan Licht (‘06), who went to work for U.S. Treasury Department

While Maranatha’s nursing program is top-notch, graduates in other programs have pursued careers in medicine.

Major Lee Brock (’98), M.D., is a physician with the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and named Air Combat Command Pediatrician of the Year. Humanities/Applied Science major Mandy Blumer (’05) is a physician assistant, and Emily Mackey (’12) is studying to become one. Naomi Maunu (’06), another Humanities/Applied Science grad, became a physical therapist.

Maranatha graduates also find employment in exciting places.

Fraser Armstrong (’09, Humanities/Letters) is an actor for Sight and Sound in Branson, MO. Luke Musgrave (’09, Business Management) researches titles, leases, and mineral rights for Denver-based High West Resources. Shannon Delany (’11, Sport Management) is a YMCA administrator. Dr. Jesse Sherburn (’06, Humanities/Applied Science) designs protective structures for the U.S. military.

Maranatha provides opportunities to study for almost any ministry, profession, or career. Its programs are designed to prepare you to become a Christian leader in whatever God has called you to do.

If God has given you talents and a desire to work in one of these potential careers, consider pursuing the Maranatha degree that would help you get there.

Doctor Biology/Pre-Med

Scientist Biology/Environmental Science

Marine Biologist Biology/Environmental Science

Physical Therapist Biology/Pre-Med

Manager/Executive Business Management

Pilot Applied Science (Aviation minor)

Engineer Humanities/Applied Science (with Physics, Calculus courses)

Journalist Humanities/Letters (Writing minor) Humanities/English

Lawyer Humanities/Letters

Government/Politics Humanities/Letters

Web Designer Humanities (Digital Media Communications minor)

Film/TV Production Humanities (Digital Media Communications minor)

Photographer Humanities (Photography minor)

International Business Humanities/Cross Cultural Studies

Actor/Director Humanities (Dramatic Productions minor)

Drama Coach Teacher Education (Dramatic Productions minor)

Sports Facility Supervisor Sport Management

Sports Team General Manager Sport Management

Financial Planner Accounting (CPA)

Banker Accounting Management

Special Education Teacher Teacher Education (Special Education minor)

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any print and web publications regularly explore the topic of whether a college

education is worthwhile. This has become an even more common discussion recently. America’s economic downturn has made answering this question a high priority for many families.

When the most current evidence is examined, however, the consensus is that higher education—particularly Christian higher education—is a smart investment in the future. This is especially true of a Christian college like Maranatha, where training for local church ministry is the focus but an excellent education is also available for those targeting a professional career or vocation.

Surveys and statistical studies support this notion. In fact, a Brookings Institution study released in June 2011 puts the yearly return on investment from a college degree at 15.2 percent—more than double the average return of stock market investments since 1950.

What follows is a sampling of recent research studies on the effect a college education can have on income, employability, and even an enduring personal faith. We think you’ll agree it is a worthwhile discussion.

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Is a College Degree

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Salaries Higher

Many sources support the notion that college graduates earn more money in both the long and short term.

The Los Angeles Times reported in 2011 that the average take-home pay of college graduates is $38,950, compared to $21,500 for high school graduates. Those figures were taken from research by analyst Sarah Millar of the ConvergEx Group.

The 2011 Brookings Institution study indicates that a 50-year-old college graduate in 2010 earned, on average, $46,500 per year more than someone with a high school diploma. The Brookings study also reported that a 22-year-old college student can expect to earn 70 percent more upon graduation than a peer of identical age with no postsecondary education.

Estimates in several studies of how much more college graduates will earn over their lifetime range from $280,000 to $800,000. That gap may

widen even further—the average salary for 2011 graduates rose 2.3 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Unemployment Lower

Choosing a major is important, because some degree fields offer more optimism for potential employment than others. The NACE survey, reported in The New Yorker, said 46 percent of accounting majors and 40 percent of business majors had already been offered jobs upon graduating. The same study found that business students earned an average starting salary of $48,144. Nursing majors and others in health sciences averaged $44,955.

The ConvergEx Group report indicated the unemployment rate for those with college degrees was 4.4 percent, compared with 9.6 percent for high school graduates and 13.8 percent for those who never finished high school.

Time Magazine reported that, in 2010, 90 percent of college graduates from 2008-10 were employed, compared to 64 percent of those who had not attended college. Time also reported in April of 2012 that 62 percent of U.S. jobs require a degree beyond high school, a figure expected to increase to 75 percent by 2020.

Customers Satisfied

The Pew Research Center surveyed 334 adult college graduates for a report released in May of 2011. Eighty-six percent of those graduates said college had been a good investment for them. Adult college graduates surveyed said they believe they earn about $20,000 per year more because of their degree; those without degrees answering the same survey figure they earn about $20,000 less. That total matches up well with the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 estimated gap: $19,550.

Four-year college graduates among the 2,142 adults who responded

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to the Pew survey also endorsed the content of their education. Seventy-four percent said their college education helped them grow intellectually; 69 percent said it helped them grow and mature as a person; and 55 percent said it was “very useful” in helping them prepare for a job or career.

College is expensive, true. But, in its analysis of the ConvergEx findings, the Los Angeles Times noted that the total value of a college education can far exceed what is spent to obtain that degree. “The bottom line of this analysis is that college pays, literally and figuratively,” Millar wrote.

One aspect of satisfaction with the educational process is leaving school with as little debt as possible. Fortunately, more people are planning ahead for college. Time reported that assets in 529 college savings plans were a record $165 billion in 2011, including $20 billion in new money.

The Most Important Investment

A Christian college education is even more desirable because of what it offers to students—classes taught from a biblical worldview, positive peer influences, and a supportive campus atmosphere.

The influence of the educational environment on a young adult cannot be overstated. A 2010 study reported that 52 percent of students at UCLA said they had attended church services frequently before entering college, but the number still attending had dropped to 29 percent three years later. A 2003 study by former University of Arkansas Admissions Director Dr. Steve Henderson showed that 52 percent of 16,000 students surveyed at 133 secular colleges had left Christianity behind by graduation.

Meanwhile, a 2011 survey of 1,000 Christian college graduates by psychology professors Kaye Cook

and Cynthia Kimball indicated that 97 percent remained moderately to extremely interested in religion, with 76 percent regularly attending church services.

The college years are when a student sets the foundation for the rest of their lives. This fact makes the choice to attend college, and especially a Christian college, a top priority. The Pew study indicates that Americans value character even more than a college education. Why not develop both?

Maranatha is a Christian college whose mission is to prepare leaders for local church ministry. When considering the cost of college, also consider the potential impact a leader can have on the lives of others—pointing them to Christ, effectively discipling and mentoring them, and encouraging them in their faith. That is an investment that will pay eternal dividends.

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Sophomore Year•Takethepre-ACTPLANtest.•Plantheremainderofyourhighschoolcourses with the help of a counselor.•Beginconsideringcareeroptions.

Junior Year•Talktopeopleincareersthatinterestyou. If you aren’t sure, take a test to identify potential career options.•Beginvisitingcolleges.•TaketheSATorACT.•TakethePSAT/NMSQTtoqualifyfor the National Merit Scholarship.•Beginconsideringsourcesof financial aid. You can also check the FAFSA4caster at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov to determine how much federal aid you might receive.•Investigateopportunitiestoearncollege credit while in high school.

Senior Year

August•Ifyouhaveasummerjob,savesomemoney for application fees.•RegistertotaketheACTorSATifyou did not do so as a junior or wish to retake the tests.

September•Askforcatalogsandapplicationsfromcolleges in which you are interested.•Visitsomecolleges,watchvirtualtours, and begin narrowing your list.•Beginresearchingscholarships—private, institutional, and federal (www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov).

•Requestapplicationinformationforthose scholarships.•Completeforms(financialaidandotherwise) requested by the colleges to which you have applied.•Meetwithyourschoolcounselorto make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.

October•Completeyourapplicationessayanddiscuss it with an English teacher.•Completeandsubmitapplications if an “early decision” is required.•ObtainaPINonthewebsiteforfederal student aid (www.pin.ed.gov) to allow yourself easy access later.

November•Checkfinancialaidandadmissionsdeadlines for colleges to which you may apply.•Seeifanycollegesinwhichyouareinterested offer an early financial aid estimate.

December•TaketheSATorACT.•Beginapplyingtocollegesinwhichyou are interested.•Encourageyourparentstocomplete income tax forms early. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms should be filed as soon as possible after Jan. 1.

January•Assoonasyouandyourparentshave all tax information together, begin filling out the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov).•Manycollegeshavefinancialaiddeadlines in early February, so don’t delay. If you have questions about federal financial aid, call 1-800-4-FED-AID.•Completeandreturnallformsrequested by the colleges to which you have applied.

February•CorrectanyerrorsinyourFAFSAreport and re-submit.•Researchprivatescholarshipsandcomplete application process.•Completeandsubmitapplicationsforinstitutional scholarships. Don’t wait until your FAFSA is done … you want to be first in line.

March•Completeformsarrivingfromcolleges.•Submitcopiesofdocumentsrequested by the financial aid office.•Comparefinancialaidpackagesof colleges to which you have been accepted.•Beginlookingforsummeremployment.

Calendar for the College-Bound

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early 80 percent of Maranatha students receive some type of financial aid, but many still

need help to bridge the financial gap and graduate. Institutional scholarships, given to students by the College, can be a tremendous encouragement.

Relatively new scholarship programs benefit students in two of Maranatha’s core academic department, Bible and Church Ministries and Teacher Education.

The Teacher Education Scholarship was established for the 2012-13 academic year. Recipients can receive as much as $14,000 over four years. More than $100,000 was awarded to students during the scholarship’s first year.

“The scholarship definitely made a difference in me being able to attend college,” said Kimberly Richerson, a freshman from Elmwood, IL. “We have three in our family attending Maranatha and two others at home taking online classes while attending another college. We are very tight financially. If I did not receive the scholarship, I would probably not be able to attend Maranatha. The scholarship was a great blessing.”

Calendar for the College-Bound

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The Bible and Church Ministries Scholarship is worth up to $20,000 over four years for students majoring in Pastoral Studies, Missions, Biblical Studies, Church Ministries, Youth Ministries, Biblical Counseling, Biblical Languages, and Cross Cultural Studies. Scholarship recipients who also qualify for the full federal Pell Grant (up to $5,645 per year) can thus attend Maranatha almost tuition-free.

The scholarship was intended to help encourage those pursuing studies leading to eventual full-time vocational ministry. It certainly has done so—more than $825,000 distributed over three years to more than 130 students.

Maranatha ScholarshipsThe LordProvidesN

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“The Bible and Church Ministries Scholarship has been a key factor to allowing me to return each semester,” said Tim Shelp, a junior Biblical Studies major from Independence, MO, who received the scholarship three years. “It has definitely eased the financial burden of attending a Bible college.”

While the Bible and Church Ministries and Teacher Education scholarships are the major institutional programs at Maranatha, students can pursue many smaller privately-funded scholarships.

Many of the privately funded scholarships were established by family members as memorials to their loved ones. There are private scholarships available to current Maranatha students in many academic programs. For the full list, see mbbc.edu/scholarships.

Privately funded scholarships can be worth up to $5,000 for current students, based on the fund’s balance and yearly interest gained. The Elmer F. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship, for instance, has provided up to $5,000 for music students with “a desire to uphold godly, conservative music standards.” Leanna York was the scholarship’s 2011 recipient.

“My receiving the scholarship was a direct answer to prayer in which the Lord provided ‘exceeding abundantly above all I could ask or think,’ “ York said.

M A R A N AT H A S U M M E R C A M P S

DO YOU HAVEWHAT IT TAKES?

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.S. News and World Report, in an article about

online bachelor’s degrees, said, “… the first thing you need to know about any online school you’re considering is whether or not it is certified by one of the six national U.S. accrediting bodies. This is called regional accreditation, and it’s the highest form of accreditation a college or university can possess.”

Maranatha has been regionally accredited since February 26, 1993. Its graduates often write to thank the College for taking this step to ensure that alumni won’t face difficult hurdles while attempting to secure a spot in the workplace or graduate school.

When considering a college, be sure to find out whether it is regionally accredited. It’s an important question. It’s the right question to ask.

PortabilityOne positive aspect of regional accreditation is portability—that is, the ability for credits to transfer between colleges. When transferring from one regionally

accredited college to another, the only issue (normally) is whether parallel courses exist in both places. When attempting to transfer from a nationally accredited to a regionally accredited college, however, the student is often gambling on whether a friendly relationship exists between the two schools..

RecognitionWhen the student graduates, recognition is what he will be depending on to land a job in his career field. Graduates of regionally accredited universities should experience no problems having their degrees recognized by potential employers. The issue of recognition is especially compelling for those seeking a job in education.

Financial AidStudents from regionally accredited colleges can be confident that their academic credentials will not be called into question when they apply for financial aid. Maranatha students are eligible for nearly all federal and Wisconsin aid programs. Many of these programs are restricted to regionally accredited colleges. Maranatha students are also eligible for Pell Grants, loans, scholarships, and other aid programs.

AccountabilityAccrediting agencies recognize colleges that have attained a high level of educational quality. The North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission is the regional accrediting body that determines whether Maranatha is fulfilling its promise to its students to provide them with a quality education. The North Central Association does not dictate policies relative to student life and behavior standards or limit the College’s ability to make God’s Word the center of every course.

The Final WordMaranatha cares about its students. The College began its quest for regional accreditation to enable its graduates to enroll in postgraduate studies and professional fields without their options being limited. When considering any college, be sure to ask if it is regionally accredited. Of all the questions you ask about your choice, this one may be the most important.

Maranatha Baptist Bible College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. ncahigherlearningcommission.org Phone: 312-263-0456

Regional Accreditation: The Right Question to Ask

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HEAD START ON COLLEGE HOW TO GET A

shton Pleasants saved time, money, and stress.

What more could you ask for?

“CLEP tests and Maranatha Online classes are clearly worth the time and money,” the Maranatha sophomore from Suffolk, VA, said. “I will graduate in three years instead of four. I saved just over $16,000. In addition, my first week of college was much less stressful, as I already knew the online system and some of my professors and fellow students.”

Pleasants is one of a growing number of students who have gotten a jump on their college education while still in high school. She enrolled in 18 credits of online classes and also took two College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests for six more credits before setting foot on campus.

Let’s examine some of the options for accumulating college credit while still in high school.

Online learning, already a cost-effective option, is even more attractive when you consider the 50-percent scholarship for high school juniors and seniors who qualify.

Maranatha Online offered more than 100 undergraduate and graduate courses during the 2012-13 academic year, and its programs are constantly being expanded. More than 50 of those classes are at the freshman and sophomore levels, allowing high school students to get a big jump on their required courses before coming to campus.

Perhaps a student isn’t sure the Lord is leading them to Watertown. Maranatha’s regional accreditation allows its credits to transfer to nearly every college in the country. So, even students who don’t plan to attend Maranatha can pick up credits that will put them ahead at the college of their choice.

“Taking online classes is worth the effort, and I would encourage high school juniors and seniors to take as many online classes as possible,” Pleasants said.For more information on Maranatha Online, go to mbbc.edu/online.

Dual credit options have become attractive, particularly to those interested in online learning or those who live near a college that offers classes to high school students.

Many states allow students to earn both high school and college credit for the same course. Some will even help the student pay for the class. Homeschooled students, including those under the supervision of a public or Christian school, may also find earning dual credit to be a possibility.

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Online Learning

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HEAD START ON COLLEGE HOW TO GET A

According to the Education Commission of the States, 46 states have established policies offering at least one dual enrollment option. In the other four, dual enrollment policies are determined by the local school districts or colleges. Check with your state department of education or local school district to see how dual credit is made available where you live.

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to demonstrate their ability to complete college work by taking a timed multiple-choice exam. A passing score converts to college credit—at a significantly lower cost.

Maranatha students may accumulate 30 hours of CLEP credits, with no more than 12 in a single field. There are 18 different courses that can be replaced by CLEP credits, all at the freshman and sophomore levels. CLEP gives new students a chance to finish their core requirements more quickly and get an early start on advanced courses and upperclass electives (the fun stuff!).

The financial aspect of CLEP is certainly a plus. Each test costs $80, plus a fee charged by the test center (usually around $20). When compared with college tuition, this could translate into hundreds of dollars in savings for a three-hour course.

Incoming Maranatha freshmen can also earn credit by enrolling in Advanced Placement courses and examinations while in high school—up to 40 credit hours, and up to 12 in one field. The courses are taken through the student’s high school, with examinations given at the end of the course to determine whether college credit will be granted.

Olivia Mueller (’12) earned her Applied Science/Pre-Med degree from Maranatha in three years. She came to college with 20 AP credits earned while in high school. Mueller estimated that she spent about $500 for the classes, but saved nearly $10,000.

“I would strongly recommend taking AP classes,” Mueller said. “They help prepare you emotionally, mentally, and academically for college. Even if you don’t take the test or score high enough to gain college credit, you still walk away with the experience of a college-level course. Then, when you take the course in college, it should be like a review or, at least, easier to understand.

“It’s a win-win situation.”

CLEP Exams

Advanced Placement Classes

15maranathaMaranatha Onlinebiblical, flexible, and engaging learning

For more information, call 920-206-2323 or check us out at www.mbbc.edu/online

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Morethan you ExpectEarn a regionally accredited degree that will give you the credentials employers want! Choose from a variety of majors and minors taught by qualified professors who love the Lord and are passionate about their subject matter.

AccountingAccounting ManagementAviationBiblical CounselingBiblical LanguagesBiblical StudiesBiologyBusiness EducationBusiness ManagementChristian MinistryChurch MinistriesChurch MusicCoachingCross-Cultural Studies Digital Media CommunicationsDigital Media Marketing Dramatic ProductionsEarly Childhood EducationElementary Teacher EducationEnglishEnglish EducationEnvironmental ScienceGreekHistoryHistory EducationHumanities

Marketing ManagementMathematicsMathematics EducationMissionsMusic ArrangingMusic EducationMusic PerformanceNursingOffice ManagementOffice TechnologyOrganizational LeadershipPastoral StudiesPhotographyPhysical Education and HealthPre-MedicalPiano PedagogyROTC: US Air Force, ArmyScienceScience EducationSocial Studies EducationSpanishSpecial Education Sport ManagementString PedagogyTESOLWritingYouth Ministries

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