Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contents

  1. Questions about the Online Bible School Setup
  2. Questions about Coursework
  3. Questions about Online Access

Questions about the Online Bible School Setup

  1. What type of degrees or certification do you offer? Is the WVBS Online Bible School accredited?
    • If you are a Formal or Informal student the WVBS Online Bible School issues a certificate of completion to you for each course you successfully complete. And, if you are a Formal student we issue a graduation diploma upon successfully completing all required courses. The WVBS Online Bible School has not sought accreditation through any accrediting association for several reasons. Some of which are: 1) they require additional courses other than Bible or Bible related courses such as English, science, math, physical education and other liberal arts courses in order to graduate; 2) the accrediting associations can only require or certify non-doctrinal (non-biblical) courses. They give as their reason that this keeps the “Separation of Church & State”; 3) the accrediting associations require certain standards and performance in financial matters which have nothing to do with any biblical standards.
    • The level of work required by the WVBS Online Bible School is equal to and even superior to many degree granting Bible schools and colleges. Any graduate of the WVBS Online Bible School will be fully qualified to teach the Bible even in accredited institutions according to the accrediting organizations. This is because they have no authority or jurisdiction over any church’s doctrine. If any college or university refuses to hire a person in their Bible department because of a lack of certain types of degrees that is that college’s or that university’s rule not any rule from the accrediting associations.

    Sample Completion Certificate from WVBS Online Bible SchoolSample Diploma from WVBS Online Bible School

  2. What Church owns WVBS?
    • No church or denomination owns or operates WVBS.  All of the trustees and employees are faithful Christians who have come together to help anyone who wants to know more about God and His Bible.
  3. Where is the school located?
    • The WVBS Online Bible School is designed as an online-only education facility. There are no live classes or physical campuses to attend. The school is a self-paced, online correspondence school. The offices of the school are located in Maxwell, Texas, which is a town located near Austin, Texas USA.
  4. How may I help the School?
    • One of the best ways you can help the school is by spreading the word. Tell others about your experience as a student of the school. You can share with them the benefits of the school and what you have learned from the instructors. You could show them the website, let them see the sample course videos, or even walk them through the enrolling process.
  5. Can women take these courses?
    • Yes!  These courses are open to any and all who would like to learn more about God, His word and how to please Him.

 

Questions about the Coursework

  1. How do I obtain a printed copy of the Syllabus, Course Notes, and/or Textbooks?
    • Auditing Students can access the syllabus for each course by selecting the “Syllabus” tab located on each course page. If a printed copy is desired there is a "Print" button located to the upper-right of the displayed document where personal copies can be printed.
    • Formal and Informal Students not only have the same access to the syllabi but also the Course Notes and any optional textbooks published by WVBS. Formal and Informal Students will notice on each course page tabs below the title thumbnail for course Description, Syllabus, Course Notes, Course Books and Exams. Click on the appropriate tab and the document will be displayed. These materials are provided free for online viewing to Formal and Informal Students only. If printed pages are desired, there is a “Print” button located to the upper-right of the displayed document. Those who are unable to print the documents, may purchase them from the WVBS online store. The Course Notes may be purchased as hard copies, e-notes or on a USB Flashdrive which has the Course Notes for all courses in the school (Course Notes on USB).
  2. I am ready to take an exam!
    • The Courses have Study Guides available to prepare you for the online exams. You will notice on your main course page tabs below the title thumbnail for course Description, Syllabus and Exams. Click on the "Exams" tab and you will see a "Download: Study Guides" button which will automatically download the Study Guides to your computer. The Study Guides may be downloaded at any time and used while viewing the videos to prepare for the online exams.
    • We try to make the taking of exams as simple as possible. On the study guides you are given the page numbers in the Course Notes where the answers can be found. The numbers in brackets [ ] after each question on the study guide are the page numbers in the Course Notes and/or the scripture citation where you can find the answer.
    • When you are ready to take the exam select the green exam button located on the "Exams" tab.
  3. How do I review my answers for an online graded exam?
    • Once you have logged-in to your student account, you will need to select the "My Dashboard" tab located on the menu bar near the top of the page.
    • Under the "My Course Progress" tab you will see a listing of your registered courses.
    • Select the arrow next to the desired course to open the course progress. A list of any online exams taken for that course will be shown.
    • Click the statistics icon, which looks like a notepad, for the exam you would like to review. You will be able to see your answers and the correct answers for ones you missed.
  4. How many courses are there in the school?
    • There are a total of 45 courses. They cover every book of the Bible and a few courses that help you to understand the Bible better.
  5. Where is the order of courses Formal Students must follow?
    • Formal Students must complete their coursework in the order shown on the Course Schedule. While Auditing and Informal Students are not required to follow this order, it is the recommended sequence for best comprehension.
  6. Do I have to purchase the DVDs?
    • No! However, if you are not able to go online to view the courses, or you simply want to have the DVDs, you may purchase the DVDs from the online store: www.wvbs.org.
  7. Is there a discount for the course DVDs?
    • If you are an active “Formal” or “Informal” student in good standing and are not able to go online to view the courses, or you simply want to have the DVDs, you may purchase the DVDs at half of the web store price (online store: www.wvbs.org). This is for “Formal” or “Informal” students only. The notebooks are not discounted because of the cost of postage and production. There is also no discount on videos and books not used in the school. To receive a discount we must verify your student number, which will be assigned to you upon acceptance of your application. For phone orders please provide us with your student number, or for online orders please enter your student number in the "Company" field of your billing address. Thank you for your interest in our material.
  8. May I take more than one course at a time?
    • Yes, you may, but we recommend you take no more than 2 courses at one time. We do not want the students to become overwhelmed with new information. If you are a Formal or Informal student please complete one course in its entirety before starting additional courses. In this way you can benefit by having graded material to refer to as you work on your assignments for future classes.
  9. What is the allotted time for each course?
    • All courses are studied "at-your-own-pace" and do not have any official start time, end time or duration. We do want the students to be encouraged to complete their courses, so please Contact Us if you feel like your progress has stalled.
  10. How many times can I possibly go online to study the lessons?
    • There are no limits on how many times you can access the courses as you view and study them.
  11. I am an “informal” student.  Can I switch to “formal” status later?
    • Your student enrollment status can easily be changed. Formal Students are required to follow the designated Course Order and receive both a certificate for each completed course and a diploma when all courses have been successfully completed. Informal Students are not required to follow the Course Order. They receive a certificate for the completion of each Course but no diploma.
    • The course material is exactly the same for both Formal and Informal Students. Therefore, when you upgrade your enrollment all completed courses as an Informal Student will automatically be credited to your Formal Student account. You will not be required to start over and do the completed courses again as a Formal Student.
    • To change your status you will need to click on ENROLLMENT which is on the blue menu bar at the school website. When you have reached the enrollment page please select the Formal Student Registration button. This will provide you with the form to fill out to change your status to Formal Student.
  12. What versions are approved?
    • On the exams you will find a "Knowing the Text" section which will supply a set of Bible verses with certain words left out. The students will be required to fill-in-the-blanks to complete the verses.
    • For purposes of textual accuracy and uniformity all "Knowing the Text" sections on the exams are to be done using one of the following versions.
      1. King James Version (KJV)
      2. New King James Version (NKJV)
      3. New American Standard Version (NASV)
      4. English Standard Version (ESV)
    • No Bible translation is perfect, but these versions have earned a reputation for reliability. Although there are other good versions you can use in your studies only the four listed are admissible for the "Knowing the Text" portion of the exams.
    • Copyright information:
      1. King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain.
      2. New King James Version(NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
      3. New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
      4. English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 

Questions about Online Access

  1. Receiving "Error 404 - Page Not Found"
    • This error may be caused by a browser cache issue. Please follow the steps below to refresh your cache:
      1. From this page perform a Hard Reload by pressing the "Ctrl" and "F5" keys together, or on Mac the "Command" + "Shift" + "R" keys together. Now, you should be able to proceed with your studies.
      2. If step 1 above does not work, then you can try an alternate method to clear the browser's cache. In the Google Chrome browser you can press the "F12" key, then click and hold on the refresh icon (on the left-side of the address bar) and from the drop-down menu choose the "Empty cache and Hard Reload" option.
  2. I can't login!
    • Be sure to verify that you are using your correct username or email address for your account.
    • If you cannot remember your username, then you can click the "Lost Password" link below the login form and enter your email address. An email will be sent to you with the username you chose and a link if you want to reset your password.
    • If you remember your username but have forgotten your password, then please click the "Lost Password" link below the login form and follow the directions in the email that will be sent in order to reset your password.
  3. How can I update my email address?
    • If you would like to change the email address for your account there is no need to enroll again. The email address is used to track your progress in the school so if you enroll again with a new email address the record of your progress will be lost. Here are the steps to update your email address:
      1. Go to the Online Bible School and Login to your student account.
      2. Go to the "My Dashboard" menu option.
      3. Click on the "My Profile" tab under the "My Dashboard" title.
      4. This section provides information about your account and student status.
      5. There is an input where you can update your email address.
      6. Type in your new email address and click on the "Save All Changes" button.
  4. When can I start my studies?
    • After creating your free account, your student status is set to "Auditing" student. You may start your studies immediately, and any lessons you "Mark Complete" will be saved to your account. If you applied to be a “Formal” or “Informal” student you will receive an email notification of acceptance, please allow 5 to 10 working days.